Late Dragonfly

We cleared around the whips and cut back the Old Man's Beard. We saw a Comma butterfly and a Common Darter. November seems rather late to be seeing Dragonflies.

Fungi

 

Roundheads and Old Man’s Beard

It was very disappointing to see several hawthorns and elders which have fallen victim to the very hot and dry conditions this summer.   Also the whips of oak etc that were planted this spring have not survived.  Unlike Old Man’s Beard which is rampant and will need cutting back during work parties this winter.  Otherwise everything is looking good and the trees in the racks have grown well.  The fence on the north east side is going to be reinstated in a few weeks time.

 

   Several toadstools were spotted including ‘Blue Roundheads’, a very pretty one.

 

 

Bundles

 We were accompanied by many Brimstone butterflies.

Ivy

 

Planting and Coppicing

 

King Alfred's Cakes

Stump Puffballs

Turkeytails

Coppicing

We had a good session this morning and made good progress. The bird boxes were cleaned out, 7 had been used, in 2020 8 had been used but last year was poor due to the cold late spring.  Progress was slow due to finding things of interest including Scarlet Elf Cup fungi!

A huge Bramble was cut back together with Blackthorn, the latter was put at the base of Ash trees which have been badly damaged by Badgers. Long branches of Hazel were cut and stacked ready for cutting into bean poles and pea-sticks. 

Scarlet Elf Cup

Common Tamarisk-moss

Common Tamarisk-moss

Common Tamarisk-moss

Common Tamarisk-moss

Gates complete!

Despite a cold, foggy and damp morning we not only managed to keep warm but also completed the little gate.  Both gates look amazing and we will always be indebted to David R for so kindly giving up his Saturday mornings to make them and instruct us at the same time.

Other activities included brush cutting, cutting off Old Man's Beard and digging it out and cutting off the lower branches of Ash, Oak and Cherry.