tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17404367737437270582024-03-13T03:35:18.482+00:00 Winkleigh BiodiversityWild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-36380780218264699882024-01-22T22:58:00.002+00:002024-01-22T23:04:35.365+00:00Autumn comes early this year<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Due to the very hot and dry Summer, berries and nuts started to mature early on the trees in the more established area of the Community Nature Area, The Mound.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTi_5875QLPraFee2l5w-L7vlD0k5K-0GEJqRVjqZl8yPYdq2FSZgYt2jAxHX2WX7mrvV0UwkmKQMMFugPSb3M7nIoFjmvBiH8_GPabQUL9fO9GrC3LfpAROXzcCv1ci9bf6VUxlT5aKpiEGna3QZS8UIyIo0cIwexVRyIfpwA82AU6xejwnr8W9VNhr9/s4160/IMG_20230728_124519.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTi_5875QLPraFee2l5w-L7vlD0k5K-0GEJqRVjqZl8yPYdq2FSZgYt2jAxHX2WX7mrvV0UwkmKQMMFugPSb3M7nIoFjmvBiH8_GPabQUL9fO9GrC3LfpAROXzcCv1ci9bf6VUxlT5aKpiEGna3QZS8UIyIo0cIwexVRyIfpwA82AU6xejwnr8W9VNhr9/s320/IMG_20230728_124519.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberries for birds and small mammals</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSABn_ogPcGGezbpy2vcBOGt3yeA2Vprhp0oZ13IAm3vIgvlnMfDtqu2uUN-Uzqr51be0vtq_wgqH5EY1F752hzmNyQK77899RNGhXx6NzZQRmHbeuk4HSX-hyi_qF0Vwn4BSwgPuJgH5LBgxujTS-DnHkKosD-rQmv9JMNh1aGPFX_ap7-UgmIuwWIQT8/s4160/IMG_20230728_124426.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSABn_ogPcGGezbpy2vcBOGt3yeA2Vprhp0oZ13IAm3vIgvlnMfDtqu2uUN-Uzqr51be0vtq_wgqH5EY1F752hzmNyQK77899RNGhXx6NzZQRmHbeuk4HSX-hyi_qF0Vwn4BSwgPuJgH5LBgxujTS-DnHkKosD-rQmv9JMNh1aGPFX_ap7-UgmIuwWIQT8/s320/IMG_20230728_124426.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazelnuts for small mammals</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6p7dgY1xgCHLZs5kWqGO33KLb77mS-iKr7cvR-x44_pL9DfD5BYzA-HVFSWpO0Jyr50q7xLDnQKiAJQvEExYIdQrK0wHxzBGiFA8NXpuUBFWxNlmZCvYgqy8wcflfwDLlinXV_Ov8_ifW3GGvZw4CQohmcc-jHhXxnJ4LHlGhM3vI_hzFNYZ5Xke58xc5/s4160/IMG_20230728_124322.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6p7dgY1xgCHLZs5kWqGO33KLb77mS-iKr7cvR-x44_pL9DfD5BYzA-HVFSWpO0Jyr50q7xLDnQKiAJQvEExYIdQrK0wHxzBGiFA8NXpuUBFWxNlmZCvYgqy8wcflfwDLlinXV_Ov8_ifW3GGvZw4CQohmcc-jHhXxnJ4LHlGhM3vI_hzFNYZ5Xke58xc5/s320/IMG_20230728_124322.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab apples</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-KpSu5VUeL1sQjTG9hqsY3MbsxlHRQWLlacqzxfZRo9QoLf0pPD7R4bXmk8mfrtVhm26yFepiqygkYvwg8iVSIICeh-0I1QOeJGjiFAE1432VC222Q2-Q7umzD56cmonjaK5Fmez6y61eSPebjBE2vA7Vxkgvz_dIX1RqEFiX06fdfzzynASAIj9bLMt/s4160/IMG_20230728_124205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-KpSu5VUeL1sQjTG9hqsY3MbsxlHRQWLlacqzxfZRo9QoLf0pPD7R4bXmk8mfrtVhm26yFepiqygkYvwg8iVSIICeh-0I1QOeJGjiFAE1432VC222Q2-Q7umzD56cmonjaK5Fmez6y61eSPebjBE2vA7Vxkgvz_dIX1RqEFiX06fdfzzynASAIj9bLMt/s320/IMG_20230728_124205.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rowan berries</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGgbjO1DL8JSjFIn9AhGX1k7ad9ScjT4sDxw5jFeTY223eRtgfnBKqZdIX1KP-aT4m6IQ4DOSjMKr2I_eQW8XjyCwmXOj3Cg4gGmF2cVFOBOd1nlQ-__tCl5qRxkR3M0qD4DPvzAX_JUOlEt9qWTDxwBSo_WjO8WceEWEtOEIPfPqE7_m157yWhNlX6VA/s4160/IMG_20230728_124002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGgbjO1DL8JSjFIn9AhGX1k7ad9ScjT4sDxw5jFeTY223eRtgfnBKqZdIX1KP-aT4m6IQ4DOSjMKr2I_eQW8XjyCwmXOj3Cg4gGmF2cVFOBOd1nlQ-__tCl5qRxkR3M0qD4DPvzAX_JUOlEt9qWTDxwBSo_WjO8WceEWEtOEIPfPqE7_m157yWhNlX6VA/s320/IMG_20230728_124002.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoverfly on Dogwood</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSl6OcpvkMdBYREqxN4G_0i02qkGHXTkSXEwJ8K99jcjVyg-T-4tnPcC5UgtZVEFug2EUEYPppaII5r_48t1Tl7GbZSpqZX6gUt2aMkzSNlXUncwvO6dsYj2fD-l2Hiu2CCHkixLgqcsnk12ecSADTcQ_vbUC8U-d5KukgeTqxg9w2T3uJQZ86xajKEHY/s4160/IMG_20230728_123752.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSl6OcpvkMdBYREqxN4G_0i02qkGHXTkSXEwJ8K99jcjVyg-T-4tnPcC5UgtZVEFug2EUEYPppaII5r_48t1Tl7GbZSpqZX6gUt2aMkzSNlXUncwvO6dsYj2fD-l2Hiu2CCHkixLgqcsnk12ecSADTcQ_vbUC8U-d5KukgeTqxg9w2T3uJQZ86xajKEHY/s320/IMG_20230728_123752.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-tailed Bumblebee</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Nature Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156430054825030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-15913361413632527102024-01-22T22:51:00.001+00:002024-01-22T23:05:49.436+00:00Lower Meadow in flower and a visit from Tarka Country Trust<p><span style="font-size: medium;">In August 2023, we were delighted to show round the Trustees from Tarka Country Trust. The Sports and Recreation Centre had been awarded a grant to sow wild flowers and they wished to visit to see our progress. Along with a grant from ND Biosphere for flower and grass seed, and trees from the Woodland Trust, the new extension area to the Community Nature Area had been created in February.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf0iUsRQ7EKq7YdCGjhAQGAF6Xl_ZAmVoyabXzieE5BBX3f9NwKipQszokGU9RQQ4DrDs55PuEr3LB2fFjVOGyuhB1W2SGwTRgRGgUHELmTbWFEViswODKlOR5XMzV0iE20-KY3B7Q5K_POrYrlt9rHdQOV3kuwY4kpYUSqiqT9z2PyjI84dIi8koUMVq/s4160/IMG_20230728_153516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf0iUsRQ7EKq7YdCGjhAQGAF6Xl_ZAmVoyabXzieE5BBX3f9NwKipQszokGU9RQQ4DrDs55PuEr3LB2fFjVOGyuhB1W2SGwTRgRGgUHELmTbWFEViswODKlOR5XMzV0iE20-KY3B7Q5K_POrYrlt9rHdQOV3kuwY4kpYUSqiqT9z2PyjI84dIi8koUMVq/s320/IMG_20230728_153516.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie in conversation with Trustee Tom Hynes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The flowers from the native seed mix have eventually started to bloom and are clearly very attractive to pollinators such as hoverflies and bees.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.15px; margin-bottom: 0.25cm;"><br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB-DQpt8mgrdEWVAU1wNuPuNvo53corHdVlbD8OoGO_fg8mzoxUWm-wp3AAV_KbIBvF6tcAPwvaG7f3ceHRG8FEjSqGcmtEcVmjfnzjMmguhl5TpAkjSA9_Cotyv4pVKPvL6lJEVj0da1h8nPbG5gClagA09e2Qcb6w_vQXWQojYENfzv0ZIEKQUWh5Ek/s2841/poppy%20CNA%20Aug%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2841" data-original-width="2655" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB-DQpt8mgrdEWVAU1wNuPuNvo53corHdVlbD8OoGO_fg8mzoxUWm-wp3AAV_KbIBvF6tcAPwvaG7f3ceHRG8FEjSqGcmtEcVmjfnzjMmguhl5TpAkjSA9_Cotyv4pVKPvL6lJEVj0da1h8nPbG5gClagA09e2Qcb6w_vQXWQojYENfzv0ZIEKQUWh5Ek/s320/poppy%20CNA%20Aug%2023.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc9zrlh2KtCOqB69LH2vVHqjqskxIBEbYTs2027YMOAIqw5zBmp9CUhae6CFMDu7z1iXDkDgSVRoasUHqo7CO5b3GWJYOHXFkqPPZo32E4fHLJ-6HzpkZ1y7nVnmW1Uuh4DKRaZkScl1OXpyvMPqSOmoFLT31Qcy0X6O1qmAbAQ1VtgHYkJW57SufpJn5/s4160/IMG_20230728_141157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc9zrlh2KtCOqB69LH2vVHqjqskxIBEbYTs2027YMOAIqw5zBmp9CUhae6CFMDu7z1iXDkDgSVRoasUHqo7CO5b3GWJYOHXFkqPPZo32E4fHLJ-6HzpkZ1y7nVnmW1Uuh4DKRaZkScl1OXpyvMPqSOmoFLT31Qcy0X6O1qmAbAQ1VtgHYkJW57SufpJn5/s320/IMG_20230728_141157.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3N0-AlFGpOnol120Szau0FX2aFdEb7L9KiLpxdpn-CPFPyAj14p5u_SDmE8y59QPplsuzF8Jaeer1oXBZua8K9JfL9i2LyyXRdKb7a3mQZfCxBNhvYvmO9kP-bYXmteucGRq0CxSAkOiSY77XnjgB2bRhz_iF7T49HgQFXO5RMdk-2yf9TvANnrQPR-bq/s4160/IMG_20230728_143849.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3N0-AlFGpOnol120Szau0FX2aFdEb7L9KiLpxdpn-CPFPyAj14p5u_SDmE8y59QPplsuzF8Jaeer1oXBZua8K9JfL9i2LyyXRdKb7a3mQZfCxBNhvYvmO9kP-bYXmteucGRq0CxSAkOiSY77XnjgB2bRhz_iF7T49HgQFXO5RMdk-2yf9TvANnrQPR-bq/s320/IMG_20230728_143849.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpBqQbkKNrCx7Zp6Ty1ln0WsBGGxdztaX3x3KjGNjlwBE6oNCUj03LfqmvLFQ6DY2HBFmuCM044YwpVwEnWU0mrKPET7deeMbd0lBQDqsQGd77lzHImoFiBlWqdeG45OFdf7JBEhBvlCNdIy4wn1QJPvv4TshJ4okOj2waKheyP92WsbJiE8MbnNLDhQu/s4160/IMG_20230728_142643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpBqQbkKNrCx7Zp6Ty1ln0WsBGGxdztaX3x3KjGNjlwBE6oNCUj03LfqmvLFQ6DY2HBFmuCM044YwpVwEnWU0mrKPET7deeMbd0lBQDqsQGd77lzHImoFiBlWqdeG45OFdf7JBEhBvlCNdIy4wn1QJPvv4TshJ4okOj2waKheyP92WsbJiE8MbnNLDhQu/s320/IMG_20230728_142643.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It was decided to dig out a scrape or shallow pond behind the new bank. It has been so dry this season, that water has not filled it yet, so it remains to be seen if it will be useful to wildlife.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMAxKTvAjUQO9_2VznCH3KnxCuymd9IYAqCLfDSJUvzsdGyikwV0IMKawhGH_e28VEVe1fIG5hboqDsVAYUqVPx1m8QhyphenhyphenKL0aIW2FssYqnyg85pMdCoW5fNkYt7aFtKGExoQI4kxQQRFBgin8N5Ecv4DQyzk9Q6pgwNYv9JlRWT-NiBQPArbJ_qKWb13E/s4160/IMG_20230728_140941.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMAxKTvAjUQO9_2VznCH3KnxCuymd9IYAqCLfDSJUvzsdGyikwV0IMKawhGH_e28VEVe1fIG5hboqDsVAYUqVPx1m8QhyphenhyphenKL0aIW2FssYqnyg85pMdCoW5fNkYt7aFtKGExoQI4kxQQRFBgin8N5Ecv4DQyzk9Q6pgwNYv9JlRWT-NiBQPArbJ_qKWb13E/s320/IMG_20230728_140941.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2asUxeiBxNstBfQQV_ju43uut3DKDDjHnsns_9RZaoIQawAyI9rXEu01dab0LJpLrUGtASrjOJPsVl0E6sPQp3TIn4YBVyVa7nUPxvuECMxYniMyEgCSVtxoz0lflzgsnBV6OLNWtmauMpQq52jzZW78XjYEnw9_8YAnkqVeam0W6sccnLfP4Rh0bbwg/s4160/IMG_20230728_124355_1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2asUxeiBxNstBfQQV_ju43uut3DKDDjHnsns_9RZaoIQawAyI9rXEu01dab0LJpLrUGtASrjOJPsVl0E6sPQp3TIn4YBVyVa7nUPxvuECMxYniMyEgCSVtxoz0lflzgsnBV6OLNWtmauMpQq52jzZW78XjYEnw9_8YAnkqVeam0W6sccnLfP4Rh0bbwg/s320/IMG_20230728_124355_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSV_-by9t-w62JrmX-q3FiTzEgPFQnjb6Xi2jOi2bfY-0XW08HiRgtuAVSIejWGNIx7teJV381Faz7I-Vb9Z2BsGqUNOCg8V4wJSMIubu5rcNDCf4ny2wHEC_PF6QsKRyxG1lzcjtcMrqTCFwl1erZIAQdtC4UsGH-6YlW2Hk6e3LBRskwQqJ4KNH-4c6/s4160/IMG_20230728_123845.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSV_-by9t-w62JrmX-q3FiTzEgPFQnjb6Xi2jOi2bfY-0XW08HiRgtuAVSIejWGNIx7teJV381Faz7I-Vb9Z2BsGqUNOCg8V4wJSMIubu5rcNDCf4ny2wHEC_PF6QsKRyxG1lzcjtcMrqTCFwl1erZIAQdtC4UsGH-6YlW2Hk6e3LBRskwQqJ4KNH-4c6/s320/IMG_20230728_123845.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A volunteer from China planting trees</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Nature Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156430054825030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-25413286821348321072024-01-22T22:36:00.001+00:002024-01-22T23:06:15.542+00:00Lower Meadow of the Community Nature Area is slowly developing<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The trees and wild flower seed were sown in February, but a prolonged drought has meant the germination of the seed was slow and the little trees struggled through lack of rain. Here are some photos of the area developing taken in early June 2023.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic80t8qd3jQ7HcIMBfc1oAkNZA3USzLrMGhInkXPL3udOkVuRntHqbCcYEY-ojWmi3gvhEDPrQmtIaLihUeKGVE-95Mbjzw4P0T7B3W_QG5SBtq8xODKKAEKfyeR9GFyeA8N44GWGwYi-DH_DoAdAoCCX5VyGDNjdiLelOwj2mkGzUj_QzOYTISPVLAGY4/s4160/IMG_20230608_101925.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic80t8qd3jQ7HcIMBfc1oAkNZA3USzLrMGhInkXPL3udOkVuRntHqbCcYEY-ojWmi3gvhEDPrQmtIaLihUeKGVE-95Mbjzw4P0T7B3W_QG5SBtq8xODKKAEKfyeR9GFyeA8N44GWGwYi-DH_DoAdAoCCX5VyGDNjdiLelOwj2mkGzUj_QzOYTISPVLAGY4/w320-h240/IMG_20230608_101925.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The transplanted Beech hedge in leaf</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0WFGjzerzsa7dBhoYwvPAPf10KCneumpgaQhegs_erKHQQRZJ5sQ9xU_U3PH-KJHIblpTZPgbYfTr4YNkjBpNlNFId6eCxm7xZlvxkI7xB9RqqOhal-tfphXqxRkYoI-oCARwJtB0DoM17BED_jtGvP5PShWIFpQWxy3xOmmvYel-n5jpsHqtxhJmJMD/s4160/IMG_20230608_102004.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0WFGjzerzsa7dBhoYwvPAPf10KCneumpgaQhegs_erKHQQRZJ5sQ9xU_U3PH-KJHIblpTZPgbYfTr4YNkjBpNlNFId6eCxm7xZlvxkI7xB9RqqOhal-tfphXqxRkYoI-oCARwJtB0DoM17BED_jtGvP5PShWIFpQWxy3xOmmvYel-n5jpsHqtxhJmJMD/s320/IMG_20230608_102004.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New trees planted along a new bank</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zyIuVBFuWy2cRdOwl5J-pjWudeNrVt8sTtiu39pWGeUEdkohsrwbADndqBOyh74XE11LOtSSxHSVGCAlm4L3xhQYvsY-toibIgKsyuYCU0V13xZKbHbTu5ezq6cQqYvGr8ZIgPGn6JsMwVNyZhCjeUVizvySpUZ6Q9Si9R8ShGojzCWOI51FE4_qeFAM/s4160/IMG_20230608_103101.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zyIuVBFuWy2cRdOwl5J-pjWudeNrVt8sTtiu39pWGeUEdkohsrwbADndqBOyh74XE11LOtSSxHSVGCAlm4L3xhQYvsY-toibIgKsyuYCU0V13xZKbHbTu5ezq6cQqYvGr8ZIgPGn6JsMwVNyZhCjeUVizvySpUZ6Q9Si9R8ShGojzCWOI51FE4_qeFAM/s320/IMG_20230608_103101.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone butterfly caterpillar</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFJgylqFtXUgRJ0GDHtyWNhLRVXxDfMW0FT5cKzDUPIdVAyB06fX3iSZO_37y6Pn_x7Ozmc0d8pLFysMJXLAbgYWABpub4u_UgfnQjlzUvkUO2euLk7iqX6RRbVB7IFtizqeZQQ_jcySqH1NiRpHr6oBtsLpbFUrFUh_w3o8fOFIE_H7KdCmtAlnMD4zf/s4160/IMG_20230608_103504.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFJgylqFtXUgRJ0GDHtyWNhLRVXxDfMW0FT5cKzDUPIdVAyB06fX3iSZO_37y6Pn_x7Ozmc0d8pLFysMJXLAbgYWABpub4u_UgfnQjlzUvkUO2euLk7iqX6RRbVB7IFtizqeZQQ_jcySqH1NiRpHr6oBtsLpbFUrFUh_w3o8fOFIE_H7KdCmtAlnMD4zf/s320/IMG_20230608_103504.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thick-thighed Flower Beetle</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFwkZx9E5BpQ3sIYqrS6JHNu9PP6TrYUrDCi604FLg-ZMs_VRWxSX5xT-Ee_UBIC-B7pOLWYp5JqWslYHnic1Efc9tHzHZFC_0CF_XxJeoIfGJMXftBSY73V-XdnGGmUrCffnkg6Nqp719KFmb9bsB0aeHuruT9zrU0WS-YlGTb2cObMWf0tUajnf8Asd/s4160/IMG_20230608_105707.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFwkZx9E5BpQ3sIYqrS6JHNu9PP6TrYUrDCi604FLg-ZMs_VRWxSX5xT-Ee_UBIC-B7pOLWYp5JqWslYHnic1Efc9tHzHZFC_0CF_XxJeoIfGJMXftBSY73V-XdnGGmUrCffnkg6Nqp719KFmb9bsB0aeHuruT9zrU0WS-YlGTb2cObMWf0tUajnf8Asd/s320/IMG_20230608_105707.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowering grasses</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ySwWxAC7ml7hzFSaKQlwQYtvil-GBWeTAoHUTf6LAsnrLEWyWvNxt8C45YTLAsn3yHCDDUrHLg2B6kv0NjJJgylGlEQHU5hMZHzmRMJGwFN-kAF9ncmBYLtjm57fkyBybdaMtddgNjQRrjLzdxvZruFH_u2VU4Dwbt_p56LzONREzTNZEbtb61lq5yns/s4160/IMG_20230608_101916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ySwWxAC7ml7hzFSaKQlwQYtvil-GBWeTAoHUTf6LAsnrLEWyWvNxt8C45YTLAsn3yHCDDUrHLg2B6kv0NjJJgylGlEQHU5hMZHzmRMJGwFN-kAF9ncmBYLtjm57fkyBybdaMtddgNjQRrjLzdxvZruFH_u2VU4Dwbt_p56LzONREzTNZEbtb61lq5yns/s320/IMG_20230608_101916.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bare soil as the seed slowly germinates</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ySwWxAC7ml7hzFSaKQlwQYtvil-GBWeTAoHUTf6LAsnrLEWyWvNxt8C45YTLAsn3yHCDDUrHLg2B6kv0NjJJgylGlEQHU5hMZHzmRMJGwFN-kAF9ncmBYLtjm57fkyBybdaMtddgNjQRrjLzdxvZruFH_u2VU4Dwbt_p56LzONREzTNZEbtb61lq5yns/s4160/IMG_20230608_101916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />Nature Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156430054825030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-4560408790632403162023-06-17T22:01:00.002+01:002024-01-22T23:08:02.125+00:00Summer Work-Party<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today was hot (23 degrees C) and sunny again, and very humid. So it made our maintenance work-party hard work. Mike, Sue, Alan, Catherine and Kim spent a couple of hours trimming back bramble shoots around the trees, cutting back the longer grass on the top of The Mound and weeding around some of the smaller trees. We were careful not to disturb nesting birds, or even dormice, in the brambles.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgVvCjTcWxABIsLaoYvV9p0z0PLlnMd9IXR9BypcYaz_C6LxmflEikD3VOX5BfEjP8LmkgPTXWe2b_kWEDTa69002wu2Ma3igICvb15kYTusZdolC5393Ak5UYfCQ3awll9oHdv0B4i3p6tA-DLsCVelYVt4weu8gJ2C9PjcYptdtfqB2yqMzKrJg7A/s4160/IMG_20230617_130404.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgVvCjTcWxABIsLaoYvV9p0z0PLlnMd9IXR9BypcYaz_C6LxmflEikD3VOX5BfEjP8LmkgPTXWe2b_kWEDTa69002wu2Ma3igICvb15kYTusZdolC5393Ak5UYfCQ3awll9oHdv0B4i3p6tA-DLsCVelYVt4weu8gJ2C9PjcYptdtfqB2yqMzKrJg7A/w240-h320/IMG_20230617_130404.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike, Sue and Catherine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mike had also cut around the spiral pathway, so we could get access as the grass has grown quickly since its last cut in Spring. We kept cool with some iced water and finished up with tea and a lovely cake.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWmPNQ7IH04_-s4WZ4g8KSahjxExe4YP1lTtE5_hbA2nrUhFFsNB44KyjYvBe-uvFPamvP2VM6w7J8DT7DNK2cnVE4_Lfl2DLW6fJe150d14K-AiSLe0WhVjVcZq5nvRwc1EqbkawsuOrbc4HVjVSB7BTcH9yYWiwuUfQ5EoqrXA63hRN6_m47WC_0Q/s2972/IMG_20230617_145921.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2972" data-original-width="2971" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWmPNQ7IH04_-s4WZ4g8KSahjxExe4YP1lTtE5_hbA2nrUhFFsNB44KyjYvBe-uvFPamvP2VM6w7J8DT7DNK2cnVE4_Lfl2DLW6fJe150d14K-AiSLe0WhVjVcZq5nvRwc1EqbkawsuOrbc4HVjVSB7BTcH9yYWiwuUfQ5EoqrXA63hRN6_m47WC_0Q/s320/IMG_20230617_145921.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpDa7t1blXJGNa7eLrQfoGoeQ8EJmn8K7sIvnmwvwYGNECP1agfaxeO-4U6e3idQ4kW782YrOLrTPRAtB-8wCWIvSqRBaGMl4oNPFLvBOGACb0qGZQ31QT_nsRwn0sLU34VhAbJ_t95UL3QdVjm6OqR_wIGiJQtc3n-FMiBq48LQIMaTbWijUC0mxBw/s2960/IMG_20230617_150008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2960" data-original-width="2835" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpDa7t1blXJGNa7eLrQfoGoeQ8EJmn8K7sIvnmwvwYGNECP1agfaxeO-4U6e3idQ4kW782YrOLrTPRAtB-8wCWIvSqRBaGMl4oNPFLvBOGACb0qGZQ31QT_nsRwn0sLU34VhAbJ_t95UL3QdVjm6OqR_wIGiJQtc3n-FMiBq48LQIMaTbWijUC0mxBw/s320/IMG_20230617_150008.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alan</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><span style="font-size: medium;">The air was full of buzzing bees and we saw a handful of butterflies around the grass.</span><p></p>Nature Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156430054825030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-2076255211263315752023-06-17T21:46:00.000+01:002023-06-17T21:46:35.367+01:00Another dry Summer<p><span style="font-size: medium;">In my two visits to the Community Nature Area in June, it has become obvious just how dry it has been recently, with no significant rainfall in the past month. The smaller trees are struggling, as they do not have the deep root systems needed to withstand drought. Nevertheless, the blossom continues to be amazing this year, with a lot of Hawthorn, Dog Rose, Alder Buckthorn and Bramble in full flower. The bees, both Honey Bees and Bumblebees are enjoying the nectar.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJe7li2zkjgtg7wRVNmdsAkhy5ho3nTYSFmb73joF1ePtWgQ-MKJkAYqwvKRUphhHO25VF5phyjNUBWWaM2orD4snkvkNCdmSJ8CpQwGKTClsxumng2IfQgkCYHhE-9dgxGY5kPDQ12bvtRATCtL4Bp1nXjoM2I9uT3QSn7-DdZAcpJyoMbYwb0e37tA/s4160/dog%20rose%20070623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJe7li2zkjgtg7wRVNmdsAkhy5ho3nTYSFmb73joF1ePtWgQ-MKJkAYqwvKRUphhHO25VF5phyjNUBWWaM2orD4snkvkNCdmSJ8CpQwGKTClsxumng2IfQgkCYHhE-9dgxGY5kPDQ12bvtRATCtL4Bp1nXjoM2I9uT3QSn7-DdZAcpJyoMbYwb0e37tA/s320/dog%20rose%20070623.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog Rose in bloom</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I also came across a large clump of wonderful Oxeye Daisies at the top of The Mound, and feeding on the pollen were a number of Thick-legged Flower Beetles. <span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; white-space: nowrap;">It is the males that have the swollen thighs which give it its name.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7067FEeX2l8UqiXepDgpY1wGKtEkBMsqsUzvKY0206u5rPDsyy0aYmqI_E7TajXjvEx1mXArN9cToY-Ch4C4OjpRH9tThP7-p0Y3X1RhMhM-YCQOvf48AoYhRPv7hgzzwYMiO4fFJZfC4gPx89qaoI5WoykkR8MVoVhpI_R4PIy9BqICaXrdWnSHNA/s4160/IMG_20230608_103504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7067FEeX2l8UqiXepDgpY1wGKtEkBMsqsUzvKY0206u5rPDsyy0aYmqI_E7TajXjvEx1mXArN9cToY-Ch4C4OjpRH9tThP7-p0Y3X1RhMhM-YCQOvf48AoYhRPv7hgzzwYMiO4fFJZfC4gPx89qaoI5WoykkR8MVoVhpI_R4PIy9BqICaXrdWnSHNA/s320/IMG_20230608_103504.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oedemera Nobilis</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdkT83d3PY4IJPPA1y4SI8KIiXmrxcsGXUeo1HZn9G2pMD_aSIeGbPylSfvmVUPwadK6ZsT1cCO37WClOxVwLgNPfHAk2irb-d_KLv2u39576QSKMP82e0um5w7Fdx7M9Q9yO6B7oU8hUI8Uc3zRKX5NzlYtlhkIFTUFBRIS7RGSIJJnR3W0T2tVzew/s4160/IMG_20230608_103354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdkT83d3PY4IJPPA1y4SI8KIiXmrxcsGXUeo1HZn9G2pMD_aSIeGbPylSfvmVUPwadK6ZsT1cCO37WClOxVwLgNPfHAk2irb-d_KLv2u39576QSKMP82e0um5w7Fdx7M9Q9yO6B7oU8hUI8Uc3zRKX5NzlYtlhkIFTUFBRIS7RGSIJJnR3W0T2tVzew/s320/IMG_20230608_103354.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxeye Daisies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM7X8vNSoAhWkJt2uPElnzPRQirHEO7Z7L6X_GcpYoogxOnt2ug6PLvyxqZKNJTxY_5Ed8VIl8hpsrOjUN9ObsLPhCtlXbAbnFkzmTtO1LAsOdfHud6u7S5PhLd_U7Q4NUB9XcVX8Qqn_qzJqUONwiaOzPa_e-CUGdWFJ3GiIZk9rTuikKQg0j0Htww/s4160/IMG_20230608_103057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM7X8vNSoAhWkJt2uPElnzPRQirHEO7Z7L6X_GcpYoogxOnt2ug6PLvyxqZKNJTxY_5Ed8VIl8hpsrOjUN9ObsLPhCtlXbAbnFkzmTtO1LAsOdfHud6u7S5PhLd_U7Q4NUB9XcVX8Qqn_qzJqUONwiaOzPa_e-CUGdWFJ3GiIZk9rTuikKQg0j0Htww/s320/IMG_20230608_103057.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone caterpillar</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNkTPlwxvRCn6Z95KvOckXGdLxkel6jbFyfRl6U9Fsom709FdEpcjp_ah5tZBJp9hCFVxP28S2MhmtLP1XksN_dWtD7iXIOtW4EkMY-0EfxfBT_aY_-3S57MSaem1r0aguAfRClp-_WQYJzNhP2qc1hDPnMcMf-KgrDLD30DQoC8CEWp6Chy5pcIFUA/s4160/IMG_20230608_103004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNkTPlwxvRCn6Z95KvOckXGdLxkel6jbFyfRl6U9Fsom709FdEpcjp_ah5tZBJp9hCFVxP28S2MhmtLP1XksN_dWtD7iXIOtW4EkMY-0EfxfBT_aY_-3S57MSaem1r0aguAfRClp-_WQYJzNhP2qc1hDPnMcMf-KgrDLD30DQoC8CEWp6Chy5pcIFUA/s320/IMG_20230608_103004.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alder Buckthorn flowers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The grasses are high and some of the grassland butterflies, such as Meadow Browns and Small Skippers have already emerged.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiFvK7cNx8Uwy9DfSdMCgbfp7T40d1eDT8Aaus2-bvl1MiktekyQjkWyCoufK_EGpcQYNJYyAlU66DXKZWweNxTYyrIHIxtqscGY2ilu0Is_65u1rNNeFBo9h-jt9EV4Xqptjy1ED09j5brdVuhmbiwFhdSut5WWRytEqP5qBpP2RHuuaRfcCODXLzQ/s4160/IMG_20230608_105704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiFvK7cNx8Uwy9DfSdMCgbfp7T40d1eDT8Aaus2-bvl1MiktekyQjkWyCoufK_EGpcQYNJYyAlU66DXKZWweNxTYyrIHIxtqscGY2ilu0Is_65u1rNNeFBo9h-jt9EV4Xqptjy1ED09j5brdVuhmbiwFhdSut5WWRytEqP5qBpP2RHuuaRfcCODXLzQ/s320/IMG_20230608_105704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nature Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156430054825030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-65305353940460007182023-04-11T18:08:00.001+01:002024-01-22T23:02:32.028+00:00Another Spring on The Mound<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Over the Easter weekend, we had some warm sunshine, so we visited The Mound to plant a few hedgerow whips along the line of the first line of trees. The idea is to thicken up the planting to provide a wind shelter and screening now that the Leylandii hedge is no longer there, as the strongest winds come from the West. In all, 34 whips were planted, some Hawthorn, Green Dogwood and Hazel at a spacing of 20-30cm. In addition, some of the older Red Dogwood had spread widely and layered itself. So I pruned off the branches which had roots, and planted them along the line, too.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ehnCcBfoXG998DTlTPUqP8yxdb0ikLkwYEhsO5oxbTonbhrovECXEx5852Rh6ujid-nvYajznjYb1zxdn_NgYP8kXdBzQ5_GOsWf73sp7VNdWE6J97Y81zdFGqT-YlRv3ZD-sD7_NV8xBqFidzld1nmbd0ABR2QJbJ_GPlCG2P1b_xCmqBE6sM_275Qn/s2100/francoise%20at%20mound%20april%2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="2030" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ehnCcBfoXG998DTlTPUqP8yxdb0ikLkwYEhsO5oxbTonbhrovECXEx5852Rh6ujid-nvYajznjYb1zxdn_NgYP8kXdBzQ5_GOsWf73sp7VNdWE6J97Y81zdFGqT-YlRv3ZD-sD7_NV8xBqFidzld1nmbd0ABR2QJbJ_GPlCG2P1b_xCmqBE6sM_275Qn/s320/francoise%20at%20mound%20april%2023.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A volunteer from Amfreville, Normandy and a Twinning Friend</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Some of the trees are already in flower. One or two of the Wild Cherry were spectacular with their white blossom. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_ZHiXBrds8LLaOgvrmCtWTw_SyraMbMWVy56K3sQK5Kx98OdZr4RowBMtSjnR_0KYCSFgCtUVF3Xr9u1at4dCYcMYT2rUCX1PznFMKIhrAxZmHgMIHM_5NQ77S0FSoQXGFyXj-FNi9c_sLyKI6kKIAwQR9ZVK8ncS-6jq8IzHsQyYGgHYCKaCnnkKw/s4160/IMG_20230409_144241.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_ZHiXBrds8LLaOgvrmCtWTw_SyraMbMWVy56K3sQK5Kx98OdZr4RowBMtSjnR_0KYCSFgCtUVF3Xr9u1at4dCYcMYT2rUCX1PznFMKIhrAxZmHgMIHM_5NQ77S0FSoQXGFyXj-FNi9c_sLyKI6kKIAwQR9ZVK8ncS-6jq8IzHsQyYGgHYCKaCnnkKw/s320/IMG_20230409_144241.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Cherry</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">I noticed that for the first year, some Field Maples are mature enough to flower.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXlnrIc_U2dPza3spzbVaTbF37fSuEPtHqtpDhuKnFlfPeMOl3buat_cTjzBgg_-iADKXIOBjllNZzfrU1ETjc90G1FgsKGIxdZOXu4IzO74bb9VD6Doi5_PudScj1bhXtv-_5fxIcxLG95pf0FilD53zA1hQAETvXc8a37wVBrAg_9S5M73WwKrW2Q/s2777/IMG_20230411_174653.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2773" data-original-width="2777" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXlnrIc_U2dPza3spzbVaTbF37fSuEPtHqtpDhuKnFlfPeMOl3buat_cTjzBgg_-iADKXIOBjllNZzfrU1ETjc90G1FgsKGIxdZOXu4IzO74bb9VD6Doi5_PudScj1bhXtv-_5fxIcxLG95pf0FilD53zA1hQAETvXc8a37wVBrAg_9S5M73WwKrW2Q/s320/IMG_20230411_174653.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strange green Field Maple flowers</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sloe (Blackthorn) and Goat Willow were also in bloom. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQ_9jMqNT3RBeDrhVI0uuoF_yYZ0vqvp_I5hz-mOHLphVBmDwuQpWHr1slplINtGExFP-OHtSlippqU8uekIYirVK0i6keVmqN4jqFEOsujeMRz5JM1mnwzNrgasUA9s-NXTxsngOrLwxGJIowADMnRqMVFYSBJWy3Klt5B5m3se9heGhx3v196UWLg/s4160/IMG_20230409_141426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQ_9jMqNT3RBeDrhVI0uuoF_yYZ0vqvp_I5hz-mOHLphVBmDwuQpWHr1slplINtGExFP-OHtSlippqU8uekIYirVK0i6keVmqN4jqFEOsujeMRz5JM1mnwzNrgasUA9s-NXTxsngOrLwxGJIowADMnRqMVFYSBJWy3Klt5B5m3se9heGhx3v196UWLg/s320/IMG_20230409_141426.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaiPoDi9H5fFZhh90ADzgVmTn_6lsvLDlMB-xrmi5_PmCLXLsRxuZI-ueTYKeMJgUem6beIKMO5ePNd6foK-8FV_qlGLiSeJQ-0gCIncJutvnUhwqWUM_Mz235vEUAgPJMFGM-XuTqWK5Q9r3WDe9qJmRuB0kmEEalKckLRMNd7KNPkZhcwJ84HV5OQ/s4160/IMG_20230409_142659.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaiPoDi9H5fFZhh90ADzgVmTn_6lsvLDlMB-xrmi5_PmCLXLsRxuZI-ueTYKeMJgUem6beIKMO5ePNd6foK-8FV_qlGLiSeJQ-0gCIncJutvnUhwqWUM_Mz235vEUAgPJMFGM-XuTqWK5Q9r3WDe9qJmRuB0kmEEalKckLRMNd7KNPkZhcwJ84HV5OQ/s320/IMG_20230409_142659.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Goat Willow catkins provide a lot of nectar and were very popular with Bumblebees and other insects on the wing.</span></p></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9emr3kRi3ms--BAa_aS9F0HcSTcqucKEK-DUgJ5xQYXRqzJf8XfPGAvPN_lnI54_SSFpg1gF79Wdg3GIJK7viltgijhlrb6oYIoiL2J74Rww3X2KHAAaZV-3JV2d-aGULoVoAHG3YL9e-QB2U1triJiIwRVowDh63HXAr7fWWb9m4KWAHCA_QURb5w/s841/Buff%20tail%20bb%2004%20crop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="841" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9emr3kRi3ms--BAa_aS9F0HcSTcqucKEK-DUgJ5xQYXRqzJf8XfPGAvPN_lnI54_SSFpg1gF79Wdg3GIJK7viltgijhlrb6oYIoiL2J74Rww3X2KHAAaZV-3JV2d-aGULoVoAHG3YL9e-QB2U1triJiIwRVowDh63HXAr7fWWb9m4KWAHCA_QURb5w/w320-h267/Buff%20tail%20bb%2004%20crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buff-tailed Bumblebee Queen</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">There were several Buff-tailed Queens hunting for nest sites in the tussocky grass. I saw three different species of Bumblebee Queens: Buff-tailed, White-tailed and Red-tailed (that one was on a Dandelion). </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There were also Goldfinches, Blackbirds, Sparrows, Great Tit, Magpies and Wood Pidgeons in flight or in the hedges.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">At the top, primroses were in bloom. These were a gift from a volunteer in 2019, who sadly is no longer with us and they remind us of her. Alongside them, our first native Wild Daffodil is in bloom. This was planted there from locally-sourced bulbs. They thrive in damp woodland glades. Their seeds are fertile and they will spread.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpd8bbPwBl-ogXEAT2xvITmuifx1KlXs9IjpfRh3L52ZRQuBj5SA528N-x1-MGPtSU_6yJMxEfHsbetly-Yxw9FGlWi7T3Yodq8lZclCfNWTmXxVnyBX7mIehcFsGGxQUrsaEtvzRGz3w7NhpIdsZs8TDi8iq_qWjR1c7il7VvVKorbnXFVtFcQ0dI3Q/s4160/IMG_20230409_141059.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpd8bbPwBl-ogXEAT2xvITmuifx1KlXs9IjpfRh3L52ZRQuBj5SA528N-x1-MGPtSU_6yJMxEfHsbetly-Yxw9FGlWi7T3Yodq8lZclCfNWTmXxVnyBX7mIehcFsGGxQUrsaEtvzRGz3w7NhpIdsZs8TDi8iq_qWjR1c7il7VvVKorbnXFVtFcQ0dI3Q/s320/IMG_20230409_141059.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In memory of Marion</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6Orq1rFIKwRlMRHlbLHuvjl7CGPsSk0GqbVuCjAxQtI_MCKOLGg7LBO1XjJKfFnwFoTWM7oM1iLo42ecFP9etOI_8uOutiec4AEgPKQZy0qAaVzMK7vzTQ3pM9JsIrlr8CWblYkMTWKekFT0iepXU7BRu_2RC2_kvH3f7sb1fHCjN39_x4Ikgd6XfA/s4160/IMG_20230409_140943.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6Orq1rFIKwRlMRHlbLHuvjl7CGPsSk0GqbVuCjAxQtI_MCKOLGg7LBO1XjJKfFnwFoTWM7oM1iLo42ecFP9etOI_8uOutiec4AEgPKQZy0qAaVzMK7vzTQ3pM9JsIrlr8CWblYkMTWKekFT0iepXU7BRu_2RC2_kvH3f7sb1fHCjN39_x4Ikgd6XfA/s320/IMG_20230409_140943.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native Devon Daffodil</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Nature Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156430054825030388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-45754816523497665292023-04-11T16:43:00.004+01:002024-01-22T22:35:34.175+00:00An extended Area for Nature comes into being - Lower Meadow<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Partly as a consequence of the need to reduce the size of "The Mound", <b>Winkleigh War Memorial Recreation Field</b> Trustees decided to develop an additional area behind the existing one, in order to give more wild space for Nature to thrive. This happened quite quickly, due to the enthusiasm and hard work of WWMRF volunteers and the support of a neighbouring farmer with heavy machinery. In a few short days in February, an area which had previously been cut for hay or grazed by sheep, had its topsoil stripped off and banks built up around it. A Common Beech hedge and a few trees were relocated with the aid of a digger. In addition, many young whips of native species were planted. A central island now holds a log-pile, which will be good for reptiles, such as lizards and great for insects when it rots down.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOGa0UdM7zhdnQYCAU62aP3tB1idQWQkfuHGN2TiR4fvCcvH1DC7wXvoKmXPtVwZJuKKdNzzmW7i5Wo1EjOj9RWBaV6rgf47022FChEdPr5v9EUzSaiz-kNiy18rgjNW6dzKABS4SO__9QzabjN3mjx7fMjoQcNHFrbkDpoaZ4MlHnAqrR8Ma7C2EGQ/s4160/IMG_20230221_122930.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOGa0UdM7zhdnQYCAU62aP3tB1idQWQkfuHGN2TiR4fvCcvH1DC7wXvoKmXPtVwZJuKKdNzzmW7i5Wo1EjOj9RWBaV6rgf47022FChEdPr5v9EUzSaiz-kNiy18rgjNW6dzKABS4SO__9QzabjN3mjx7fMjoQcNHFrbkDpoaZ4MlHnAqrR8Ma7C2EGQ/s320/IMG_20230221_122930.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central island bank with log pile</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha591zthPWTOQ_bmCtjoghdzEgil-F6TQTp0dFpRWhxFYNlQZddJVsmA5Q-ItohVA6a0oY-vT4TbldqAhTqIxMz4bD5bPRkK6or9HfyYXsW-3xTMvEqIqDzkIpMzlEN-B533ZWw6j_r-fagXMgQhYfZLK3N4sUJL4bTMtVRxGjfN1fB5ZSkvdHnQfOTA/s4160/IMG_20230221_120450_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha591zthPWTOQ_bmCtjoghdzEgil-F6TQTp0dFpRWhxFYNlQZddJVsmA5Q-ItohVA6a0oY-vT4TbldqAhTqIxMz4bD5bPRkK6or9HfyYXsW-3xTMvEqIqDzkIpMzlEN-B533ZWw6j_r-fagXMgQhYfZLK3N4sUJL4bTMtVRxGjfN1fB5ZSkvdHnQfOTA/s320/IMG_20230221_120450_1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the North</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLsKhVd6g7HbX8kC9lvpftHd6GE03A9149aKYzD1mhOT_E2hfhS4b89XK31Wcke621uj59V6ariwHMSWNMHs6cNXBvV64_1r9zsZ6S2ZIsi23l9KwiHcbhfsk7sh85_EI97VGPTtkVcGUpnF0Ah8Hxklqd4EmDiV-0c4E4f9bDxbMy2mez8Ai_t0_vg/s4160/IMG_20230221_120446_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLsKhVd6g7HbX8kC9lvpftHd6GE03A9149aKYzD1mhOT_E2hfhS4b89XK31Wcke621uj59V6ariwHMSWNMHs6cNXBvV64_1r9zsZ6S2ZIsi23l9KwiHcbhfsk7sh85_EI97VGPTtkVcGUpnF0Ah8Hxklqd4EmDiV-0c4E4f9bDxbMy2mez8Ai_t0_vg/s320/IMG_20230221_120446_1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beech hedge relocated</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">10 English Oak, 10 Field Maple, 20 Common Alder, 20 Silver Birch and 10 Mountain Ash (Rowan) were planted on 16th February.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-XVHubdPABflKc5Owu3enb5Hyd9Mu2LfVCKngs6CA2vnwgn_5i618A881ZZ6OOqGNV0BLCdG3AlpQdnNwh3WbSSvEuzoGoBdcJ5svMNtwiFaJubC-78Rolf0AOGLa7ipVvDCAyHsXbzWP4LsYz9LIRp6c3e6A2WsfAIx09rm7M2dKZ2w7BV4HV4pvQ/s4160/IMG_20230221_124653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-XVHubdPABflKc5Owu3enb5Hyd9Mu2LfVCKngs6CA2vnwgn_5i618A881ZZ6OOqGNV0BLCdG3AlpQdnNwh3WbSSvEuzoGoBdcJ5svMNtwiFaJubC-78Rolf0AOGLa7ipVvDCAyHsXbzWP4LsYz9LIRp6c3e6A2WsfAIx09rm7M2dKZ2w7BV4HV4pvQ/s320/IMG_20230221_124653.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition, Hornbeam, Hazel, Blackthorn, Dogwood and Dog Rose were planted. Here's the planting plan. The Beech Hedge is on the North side and the Hazel bank on the East side.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF3d4Y2DfzE8hyux9LnxBfdHJB3FR_sCN0gF28ozI1NjmTd55TdgFWWt2J7QnR9sZtEXAHQR59db6cAes76kojzcsTEZzkFazmq13UoI3NBxX9Ow6ssIWbWSpKXz-ZEXZESMwE1a_QWq8emKRtrXUz_QkhQyz-gYJe5kkVELAv2SLUuj-D4C7_pb7RQ/s3281/IMG_20230411_160939.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3281" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF3d4Y2DfzE8hyux9LnxBfdHJB3FR_sCN0gF28ozI1NjmTd55TdgFWWt2J7QnR9sZtEXAHQR59db6cAes76kojzcsTEZzkFazmq13UoI3NBxX9Ow6ssIWbWSpKXz-ZEXZESMwE1a_QWq8emKRtrXUz_QkhQyz-gYJe5kkVELAv2SLUuj-D4C7_pb7RQ/s320/IMG_20230411_160939.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting Plan - February 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition 9kg of meadow grass seed and 4kg of wild flower seed was sown around this area. We are now hoping for gentle rain and warmth to provide good germination and we look forward to the muddy expanse being clothed with green shoots. It will be interesting to see which plants appear either from the seed mix or from the seed bank of the soil. This land has been managed as pasture for at least 75 years, as it has been a recreation field since 1948.</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The fencing between the 'old' and the 'new' parts of the <b>Community Nature Area</b> has been removed so that they can merge into one. We look forward to the species now resident on The Mound also taking up residence in the newer area.<br /></span><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Nature Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156430054825030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-52512700536625998252023-04-09T22:36:00.004+01:002023-04-11T15:31:27.346+01:00New developments on The Mound<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Winkleigh Biodiversity Group</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">, assisted by many volunteers from the local community, has been responsible for managing "The Mound" since August 2012, when the Trustees of </span>Winkleigh War Memorial Recreation Field <span style="font-weight: normal;">offered us a small, neglected and unused area. Back then, we were just a group of enthusiastic people wanting to create a wild space where Nature could thrive. We initially called it The Wild Flower Project, until the idea of the Spiral Maze was born. The story of our efforts since the first work-party in August 2012 has been told in these pages. Since then we have recorded over 100 species of plant, bird, mammal, insect and reptile and sent these records to Devon Biodiversity Records Centre.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Over the past few months we have been in discussion with the Trustees about changes to the original boundary of "The Mound". First, the boundary hedge was removed last Summer. The muddy tracks made by the large machinery were not surprisingly not a pretty sight!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XRhyHTLwaTN1iquoxwTcb7ZSsDuBEDCApGxaxaepP0cEisdR1x7m-CchNsiA1eVP0RdcHM7Ihn8FzPgkEnZCtm2tLXCLdXD-_NiUwYgliwFyjSq10lYgYxpBE8DlMgPz4b4yxh-qrfBj3LebgABc00hhfCkiR-A-krkMaWmHLlp8gTsJN9-R5Ti4Xg/s4160/IMG_20220827_171726.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XRhyHTLwaTN1iquoxwTcb7ZSsDuBEDCApGxaxaepP0cEisdR1x7m-CchNsiA1eVP0RdcHM7Ihn8FzPgkEnZCtm2tLXCLdXD-_NiUwYgliwFyjSq10lYgYxpBE8DlMgPz4b4yxh-qrfBj3LebgABc00hhfCkiR-A-krkMaWmHLlp8gTsJN9-R5Ti4Xg/w150-h200/IMG_20220827_171726.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muddy tracks</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQwIAF5ac_Us-0nvvrb56DFWFouadRS-q_Ohp-fHA4tZ0RvhDLq16tuIrupVIxXememPBYIioy2aM1kWDt-t4h10SR-653__ZQj41GX6JRbw0udyu5dmncWwm91h68iUOrQ1fsPE6Bg-UwABtwTL9kePrmMi127vbcYLThWBP1P_YjtKlJb3eesx1vA/s4160/IMG_20220827_171730.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQwIAF5ac_Us-0nvvrb56DFWFouadRS-q_Ohp-fHA4tZ0RvhDLq16tuIrupVIxXememPBYIioy2aM1kWDt-t4h10SR-653__ZQj41GX6JRbw0udyu5dmncWwm91h68iUOrQ1fsPE6Bg-UwABtwTL9kePrmMi127vbcYLThWBP1P_YjtKlJb3eesx1vA/w150-h204/IMG_20220827_171730.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of old shed</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxgszwkfpFZDEYdABXVrmkUOQTOyqSci9uK_F-9-Jm7txRqK5swlnnFbP6sIIZekQYhCf1_ig1PhNqQHL3QneGqUUG4FKSDXtQe3agSXGi1t6P5uiwIIRkoPGbip-K8YDUxuxtnT8Zyi7hZeXaN7H6CsQt7rt2WJDhnLvhFdpH8PHwLa1ihjJzRUstQ/s4160/IMG_20220829_131137.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxgszwkfpFZDEYdABXVrmkUOQTOyqSci9uK_F-9-Jm7txRqK5swlnnFbP6sIIZekQYhCf1_ig1PhNqQHL3QneGqUUG4FKSDXtQe3agSXGi1t6P5uiwIIRkoPGbip-K8YDUxuxtnT8Zyi7hZeXaN7H6CsQt7rt2WJDhnLvhFdpH8PHwLa1ihjJzRUstQ/s320/IMG_20220829_131137.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View with Leylandii Hedge 29 August 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Then proposals were made to reduce the area significantly, in order to accommodate a junior football pitch. After some months of negotiation, a compromise plan was reached which would move the boundary to half-way across the first row of trees in The Spiral. This plan minimised the removal and relocation of existing trees and shrubs, which was carried out while they were dormant. A line was marked out with sticks and yellow tape to show the new boundary. The proposed pitch will take up all of the first grass path which used to run alongside the boundary Leylandii hedge and approximately half of the the first hedge-row of trees and shrubs.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_3097ysB6gSjaEcv0xU_peclTyDQLFvZCPwA6_z4L3OaBInRpXiBFXkGZLFzBGY-uq5oIEFNof0JE5ieSsVV7V9Tpmc03qHl_iUUGEv6UKND8lEEc9neaAZ4ymMg8hMnZh2jy-FFQaqtU9sqCjdMSj64MykaXa0cFHU38m9LeJHDm71P_7N-BscI7w/s4160/IMG_20230107_105642.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_3097ysB6gSjaEcv0xU_peclTyDQLFvZCPwA6_z4L3OaBInRpXiBFXkGZLFzBGY-uq5oIEFNof0JE5ieSsVV7V9Tpmc03qHl_iUUGEv6UKND8lEEc9neaAZ4ymMg8hMnZh2jy-FFQaqtU9sqCjdMSj64MykaXa0cFHU38m9LeJHDm71P_7N-BscI7w/s320/IMG_20230107_105642.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Yellow tape marking the new boundary</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As part of these changes, Winkleigh Biodiversity Group's agreement to rent "The Mound" will not renew on May 1st this year. The Trustees will be taking over responsibility for its management, with co-operation from Biodiversity Group members in a joint working group. This is the start of a new arrangement for the two organisations, but we hope that the biodiversity there will continue to flourish and develop 'under new management'. As part of the plan, recognising the impact on wildlife of the reduction of area, another space has been set aside as an extension to the biodiversity area. This additional area will nearly double the area set aside for Nature. The two areas joined together will have a new name - Winkleigh's Community Nature Area. More on this in the next instalment.</span></p>Nature Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156430054825030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-63560512477117809242022-12-31T11:59:00.000+00:002022-12-31T11:59:31.814+00:00Species of the Year 2022 - The Hazel Dormouse<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><span><span>After our exciting find of field evidence for Dormice earlier this month, we can now confidently say that these elusive creatures are living on "The Mound" in Winkleigh Biodiversity Area. </span></span>As we come to the close of 2022, we take a closer look at this endearing, but increasingly rare animal. You can find our photos of the Dormouse nest and the chewed hazelnuts in the previous blogs.</span></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KhWDi4oFVk3uZZVDgAnTvQny-nmlTDCSDPVltLq3lOhoCoRPGh_P4tOEPpIe8m9EGAks1izNWjn7I-2dwIuSRm8S3cOenlbbM_Kh-aNwyTBzhtdhxCNV5D9b9uOQIXJUFKkn83C5WX4t8wvk9dLHCZziM7jXX8oa-09Ixwzk4gE_hSGw8Nyc6xNPzA/s581/512px-Haselmaus_(cropped).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KhWDi4oFVk3uZZVDgAnTvQny-nmlTDCSDPVltLq3lOhoCoRPGh_P4tOEPpIe8m9EGAks1izNWjn7I-2dwIuSRm8S3cOenlbbM_Kh-aNwyTBzhtdhxCNV5D9b9uOQIXJUFKkn83C5WX4t8wvk9dLHCZziM7jXX8oa-09Ixwzk4gE_hSGw8Nyc6xNPzA/s320/512px-Haselmaus_(cropped).jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazel Dormouse with Rowan Berries</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span face="Inter, sans-serif" style="color: #30272e;">"</span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42999086" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Inter, sans-serif; text-decoration: inherit;" target="_blank">Haselmaus (cropped)</a><span face="Inter, sans-serif" style="color: #30272e;">" by Danielle Schwarz is licensed under </span><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/?ref=openverse" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Inter, sans-serif; text-decoration: inherit;" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a><span face="Inter, sans-serif" style="color: #30272e;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As a declining species, protected under British and European Law, we will need to be very careful how we manage the area in future to avoid disturbing them. We always welcome volunteers to get involved with our activities. The best way to contact us is via Facebook - Winkleigh Community Action or by contacts given in Distinctly Winkleigh.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://ptes.org/campaigns/dormice/" target="_blank">People's Trust for Endangered Species</a> says on their website:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />"<span style="background-color: white;">Our national monitoring shows the population of hazel dormice has </span><a href="https://peoplestrust.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/SoBD-2019.pdf" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #009db5; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">declined by half since 2000</a><span style="background-color: white;">, with the species hanging on mostly in southern parts of England and Wales. Climate change, as well as changes in woodland management, farming practices and loss of hedgerows, have all taken a heavy toll on their living space. Dormice are good indicators of animal and plant diversity, and dormouse-friendly habitats are also good for woodland birds, bats and butterflies"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So the presence of Dormice is a good sign for us that this wild space is good for other species. All our records for 2022 have been sent to Devon Biodiversity Records Centre and our Dormouse records have been entered onto the <a href="https://ptes.org/campaigns/dormice/surveying-and-monitoring-hazel-dormice/national-dormouse-database-ndd/" target="_blank">National Dormouse Database</a>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-18320257322507229532022-12-15T20:45:00.005+00:002022-12-19T18:32:55.817+00:00Hazelnut Survey and Dormouse Nest<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hazel Dormice spend most of their lives in the woodland canopy, rarely going down onto ground <span style="background-color: white; color: #002419; font-family: AndesLight; font-variant-ligatures: none; text-align: right;">level, other than to hibernate in a nest of leaves during winter. They favour deciduous woodland, hedgerows and scrub. So, we have always been aware that they are probably present on The Mound, now that the shrubs have grown to a reasonable size. A couple of years ago we put up a two boxes, but we did not expect to find some possible Dormouse nests during our Harvest Mouse Survey last week.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #002419; font-family: AndesLight; font-variant-ligatures: none; text-align: right;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002419; font-family: AndesLight; font-variant-ligatures: none; text-align: right;">Feeding on nuts, berries and seeds, we have provided them with good food sources. As their name implies, hazelnuts are favoured and one way to survey for them is to do a nut hunt. PTES (People's Trust for Endangered Species) recommends that you survey hedgerow under hazel trees for any discarded nutshells. Each species nibbles or cracks the nuts in a different way. It is really quite fascinating! So we gathered together a handful of shells from just three of our Hazel bushes. After sorting through them, I selected those that looked most like tell-tale feeding signs of a Dormouse and sent photographs to Devon Biodiversity Records Centre at Devon Wildlife Trust for verification. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #002419; font-family: AndesLight; font-variant-ligatures: none; text-align: right;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j9TOl2ksC1w6yh0R25hXpveAOetk4kQS60XWg4N3lG7XGmt6W5IDVYeGOvellPFR9TH6fimMLj-3Z6FJtcVzT9Qlffuib6cwJ0oqhzDEATU-smipTJ2wpt6pV4SrQf-bCaTJshV5QwLFHCmn42ANzCYfIQj81HWTLJZVsE6Ta0s8EAH7IDARQNuVMQ/s1966/nut%20C%202_dormouse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="1966" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j9TOl2ksC1w6yh0R25hXpveAOetk4kQS60XWg4N3lG7XGmt6W5IDVYeGOvellPFR9TH6fimMLj-3Z6FJtcVzT9Qlffuib6cwJ0oqhzDEATU-smipTJ2wpt6pV4SrQf-bCaTJshV5QwLFHCmn42ANzCYfIQj81HWTLJZVsE6Ta0s8EAH7IDARQNuVMQ/s320/nut%20C%202_dormouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dormouse-nibbled Hazelnut 1</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyakl7_x9rCYjj6jgKZHN7twttWaR2FxVliSwF-7vo0aeFuGV1Twz43Drgkl-7oN5RP3vvpAC-6G2yWGhCh1fVwtPcJ9LpsCU3bE8B3Ez8nPpL3gZyWSujHE1liw_9h4zYh9jyURQ5JRKfeIzpHdlqBwS6GCYP-cnrZoJrD0ZdT3xLHcpnxU5y2t7UQ/s2863/nut%20b2crop_dormouse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2863" data-original-width="2862" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyakl7_x9rCYjj6jgKZHN7twttWaR2FxVliSwF-7vo0aeFuGV1Twz43Drgkl-7oN5RP3vvpAC-6G2yWGhCh1fVwtPcJ9LpsCU3bE8B3Ez8nPpL3gZyWSujHE1liw_9h4zYh9jyURQ5JRKfeIzpHdlqBwS6GCYP-cnrZoJrD0ZdT3xLHcpnxU5y2t7UQ/s320/nut%20b2crop_dormouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth inner rim of Hazelnut 2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #002419; font-family: AndesLight; font-variant-ligatures: none; text-align: right;">Surely enough, it was confirmed that these three nuts showed the distinctive smooth interior and outer scrapings of a Dormouse. Some people have likened them to a small Dutch clog, because it opens up the nut from the side when they are still green.</span></span></div><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3dkvNQj9IIBP5Tfxm5lr_OxJXl6YHT_Hw28Q6ZFZ3ssjAbOWMAatxth9iPrHiQKV67bRBUevBLeDSQhIv7MynpC0LX7Uul3DIxv56vpyLtS9XGN3OStLnpxjxkAGNvAxyVvjvuUHpXTK3Vmj9mivkFrumbGL4QfnunFx66S9OhS17Ghh1lEQFOrXDA/s4160/nut%20b1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3dkvNQj9IIBP5Tfxm5lr_OxJXl6YHT_Hw28Q6ZFZ3ssjAbOWMAatxth9iPrHiQKV67bRBUevBLeDSQhIv7MynpC0LX7Uul3DIxv56vpyLtS9XGN3OStLnpxjxkAGNvAxyVvjvuUHpXTK3Vmj9mivkFrumbGL4QfnunFx66S9OhS17Ghh1lEQFOrXDA/w240-h320/nut%20b1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazelnut 3</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #002419; font-family: AndesLight; font-variant-ligatures: none; text-align: right;">So now we can be sure we have yet another species to record in our small (quarter of a hectare) wildlife space. This brings us to 104 plant and animal species in 2022.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzqJHOV03LSha4oXwqLwxlLXE72NYqpkwdVEWMzLm2mFBsZzvb7gV2Y1vDZAaDd9qo2rpuZmkdIFVryzpbmFQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #002419; font-family: AndesLight; font-variant-ligatures: none; text-align: right;">And here we captured on video the finding of the Dormouse nest in the brambles.</span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-88331822219047613092022-12-15T19:54:00.004+00:002024-01-22T23:14:46.297+00:00Successful Harvest Mouse Survey<p><span style="font-size: medium;">When we carried out our first Harvest Mouse survey in January 2021, we found no nests. So this year I was pleased to come across a solitary nest in a tree-tube in April. After finding another in early December, we realised it was a good idea to carry out a more systematic search. Devon Mammal Group are running a Harvest Mouse Survey, where they train volunteers to search suitable habitats for old nests during the winter. The most suitable habitat is rough grassland with Cocksfoot or other coarse grasses, Culm grassland or bramble.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, we met up last week and carried out a dedicated search along a bramble patch, lasting about an hour and a half. Maggie found the first nest in a matter of minutes and I found one soon after. In all we found five nests in bramble and one in tall grass.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAncN9QD5SbyujbDe3fR7Lo7G8LRScK-3cI1n7qohlrpp5QgrUU_nQlbj4hdW9l-uB1gsQ6YYWEPCfdm-IFmEwwm6iy4psOihFE4aDQ4gF9feYnAnEIrq8OV1u3yflx4cjh5OAIZ3TLRDmKSfoh9qrFWJ93WgC1IkTBbLmLTfzvT4uIx99MT19gfFtRA/s3088/20221207_153044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAncN9QD5SbyujbDe3fR7Lo7G8LRScK-3cI1n7qohlrpp5QgrUU_nQlbj4hdW9l-uB1gsQ6YYWEPCfdm-IFmEwwm6iy4psOihFE4aDQ4gF9feYnAnEIrq8OV1u3yflx4cjh5OAIZ3TLRDmKSfoh9qrFWJ93WgC1IkTBbLmLTfzvT4uIx99MT19gfFtRA/s320/20221207_153044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Harvest Mouse is losing suitable habitat, due to the loss of rough grassland. The clumps of grass need to be thick enough to hide a tennis ball and, even in our wild space, these are uncommon. This photo shows just how well they are hidden among the grass stalks. It is made entirely of woven grass and was 30cm above ground.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZInRhfxpQUzYVIziQ-v08Av8elkec-Y6XRewXIuhyGYPg6NT0m7VHY00rkmnS1lU7cZ6gGJKCzUoSIKYWJXXtETrX2H9_sM6pxoQg4NmEzGDVkosjoOFGyXWbYSJ1sJZve8OnJKhXZqFoejNQVF8272fkAfWAHFrUC6rogZHj_tOl8slqYXO97Ghgw/s4160/HM%20nr%20larger%20hazel%2030%20cm%20high%207%20dec%2022%20in%20grass.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZInRhfxpQUzYVIziQ-v08Av8elkec-Y6XRewXIuhyGYPg6NT0m7VHY00rkmnS1lU7cZ6gGJKCzUoSIKYWJXXtETrX2H9_sM6pxoQg4NmEzGDVkosjoOFGyXWbYSJ1sJZve8OnJKhXZqFoejNQVF8272fkAfWAHFrUC6rogZHj_tOl8slqYXO97Ghgw/s320/HM%20nr%20larger%20hazel%2030%20cm%20high%207%20dec%2022%20in%20grass.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvest Mouse Nest </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUFK6x1DFtKLP2N07xgyKm8MTbFah7F5KGvKREE9oyfWq5liumVSewpyTxK2oJeOOS_zD-NLessOYja5CnHO-__bngUmroYFYcYlYKpa_N0j_AIy_PcrIUl5qVtU83cJHr-4uDYXPBsXxK7K4k4aRSfhT_xXNGEJfa1MDarvWCguH1aiIvI6v9iHttg/s4160/1_nest%201%20grass%2065mm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUFK6x1DFtKLP2N07xgyKm8MTbFah7F5KGvKREE9oyfWq5liumVSewpyTxK2oJeOOS_zD-NLessOYja5CnHO-__bngUmroYFYcYlYKpa_N0j_AIy_PcrIUl5qVtU83cJHr-4uDYXPBsXxK7K4k4aRSfhT_xXNGEJfa1MDarvWCguH1aiIvI6v9iHttg/s320/1_nest%201%20grass%2065mm.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nest 1: Harvest Mouse 65mm diameter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Each nest is different, some are more neatly woven than others. This one above is woven from coarse grasses. Nest 2, below is woven from fine grasses and is smaller. It was discovered in bramble.</span><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgNfzm__MIVLO8S4tHSOlcVf-fGs74ImWiVP2qr5QJRdzFqTVEWqSDu9gLOAzjsyg2YLTbWeqD_r43xRp_MH6mhsXd83oLn7y1gFsw2p29QptnVJl8ZY-Tsj9ygPRefeLRg2wtTf6tUkBgDncsh_MvQ0URPr5_w2MQFQBywkpFMwR4N1BmC0zSmlVpQ/s4160/2_nest%202%20fine%20grass%2055mm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgNfzm__MIVLO8S4tHSOlcVf-fGs74ImWiVP2qr5QJRdzFqTVEWqSDu9gLOAzjsyg2YLTbWeqD_r43xRp_MH6mhsXd83oLn7y1gFsw2p29QptnVJl8ZY-Tsj9ygPRefeLRg2wtTf6tUkBgDncsh_MvQ0URPr5_w2MQFQBywkpFMwR4N1BmC0zSmlVpQ/s320/2_nest%202%20fine%20grass%2055mm.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nest 2: Harvest Mouse 55mm diameter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The third nest was bigger with an 80mm diameter and also located in bramble. The larger nests are summer maternity nests, where one nest is built for each brood and then abandoned.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1h9DGG4kX7Z_lf4__RlQz6zcqYKaSwhm1nNibWttxQKbI-HwRlk1ls4HatQdN4S-IB_riKVFXe-aIza8uMlJKxe0i58YgZauIp7ks9j2GtpEaRjdKcMTwOYalNBk3uz0dFFq0_XDDeTSLHQAy2JYxZUykYYyYlyjyWvkFsdA2s8nrhgwBA0VPRCAYA/s4160/3_nest%203%20grasses%2080mm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1h9DGG4kX7Z_lf4__RlQz6zcqYKaSwhm1nNibWttxQKbI-HwRlk1ls4HatQdN4S-IB_riKVFXe-aIza8uMlJKxe0i58YgZauIp7ks9j2GtpEaRjdKcMTwOYalNBk3uz0dFFq0_XDDeTSLHQAy2JYxZUykYYyYlyjyWvkFsdA2s8nrhgwBA0VPRCAYA/s320/3_nest%203%20grasses%2080mm.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nest 3: Harvest Mouse 80mm diameter</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Our next nest was also found in bramble, but there are a few leaves incorporated into it. This makes is interesting, as it is possible that this is a Hazel Dormouse nest. We sent a photo to People's Trust for Endangered Species and their Dormouse Officer has confirmed that it is very likely a Dormouse nest. This is really exciting news to know that we definitely have this elusive mammal on our site. See also my next post about hazelnut surveys.</span></p><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBOP_4Nl3ANPc7zjPihjKovI1CZN6N8LkrKZ_ZB2GqgsInmVty7_glUlnpNCK1QhsqmuDXQ_ESLeVh8TrsI51gRwOhJJs7ep9Tnf_eSUsVQQQSHAVZjtvjMuBBe3Den8edy8HvJdYarGA6QRspOaiNa9VC3YObup9fPvBfrRyNnzjI9cDJ1bEyC0E6g/s4160/Nest%204%20%2075mm%20dormouse%20poss.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBOP_4Nl3ANPc7zjPihjKovI1CZN6N8LkrKZ_ZB2GqgsInmVty7_glUlnpNCK1QhsqmuDXQ_ESLeVh8TrsI51gRwOhJJs7ep9Tnf_eSUsVQQQSHAVZjtvjMuBBe3Den8edy8HvJdYarGA6QRspOaiNa9VC3YObup9fPvBfrRyNnzjI9cDJ1bEyC0E6g/s320/Nest%204%20%2075mm%20dormouse%20poss.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nest 4: Dormouse 75mm diameter</td></tr></tbody></table><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">The Hazel Dormouse (<span style="background-color: white;">Muscardinus avellanarius) is an endangered </span><span style="background-color: white;">species and is protected under British and European Law. </span>Nests 5 and 6 also had some tiny leaves around the outside, so at the moment we do not know if they were made by a Harvest Mouse or a Dormouse. To my mind, Dormice are more untidy nest-builders compared with the Harvest Mice!</span></h1><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN8J5fqj1DMl0tePsWAShE32pEHVqrlsd1Yu2zVAtf4AAzqwUZDeta1LCnBvz3wjd1AA60fUkk4Z0TiDuag1mHLcc18ZgInqIMXX8InxcJuJ5bGdlXFC3EHJlunD5NCOyfSiQLOJ8FEN1_LGOFz1f-kqiW8Z4ElLeKuuyb3ZcHwDKNbBlDYwFK2HbBA/s4160/Nest%205%202%20holes%20grass%20poss%20leaf.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN8J5fqj1DMl0tePsWAShE32pEHVqrlsd1Yu2zVAtf4AAzqwUZDeta1LCnBvz3wjd1AA60fUkk4Z0TiDuag1mHLcc18ZgInqIMXX8InxcJuJ5bGdlXFC3EHJlunD5NCOyfSiQLOJ8FEN1_LGOFz1f-kqiW8Z4ElLeKuuyb3ZcHwDKNbBlDYwFK2HbBA/s320/Nest%205%202%20holes%20grass%20poss%20leaf.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nest 5: Unknown 60mm diameter</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHWF1PZt6Wfg40_hXpgnZwy8fMLp0HpCAAcUp-HnyuIUDsymozjxsgWdh8ScHJvrlpNCnrs98inPh8fEauqy1MA-pSJQ055ITLX2Kti7d4BxtfDB9iS33LrU7xWjPmy9TW1xLez3CQv93fBFMeGVICSKWSGsnb2HKiCXYVfUjPZgbulbCxkybyepMyA/s4160/Nest%206%20old%2050mm%20low%20entrance.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHWF1PZt6Wfg40_hXpgnZwy8fMLp0HpCAAcUp-HnyuIUDsymozjxsgWdh8ScHJvrlpNCnrs98inPh8fEauqy1MA-pSJQ055ITLX2Kti7d4BxtfDB9iS33LrU7xWjPmy9TW1xLez3CQv93fBFMeGVICSKWSGsnb2HKiCXYVfUjPZgbulbCxkybyepMyA/s320/Nest%206%20old%2050mm%20low%20entrance.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nest 6: Unknown 50mm diameter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><div>We are looking forward to more opportunities to do further surveying during the winter months.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-40064275916236716922022-12-08T16:46:00.002+00:002022-12-10T11:30:50.956+00:00Celebrating our 10th Anniversary<p>Ten years ago this week, on a cold and frosty morning, a dozen volunteers from Winkleigh and Hollocombe Parish came together to plant the first trees on the top of The Mound. These trees were planted to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iM_WtUvy0x3Du6dibLLY1kYyXKcHvT6mbOt1H5t13NWuBc3ZS9ldgfbp1OwKIFG-M_nn14y5YaaY85J9O79E4Qwr8EHKkLA6bNNlAQGbo-dN0oxO00BYoBVwEBLKdv_FtG72yMNPZvLvlEGNqB1hi3PtplxBa0qQp7aU-BnZvf4XKomwP-JvHwZzhw/s500/Copy%20of%2010.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iM_WtUvy0x3Du6dibLLY1kYyXKcHvT6mbOt1H5t13NWuBc3ZS9ldgfbp1OwKIFG-M_nn14y5YaaY85J9O79E4Qwr8EHKkLA6bNNlAQGbo-dN0oxO00BYoBVwEBLKdv_FtG72yMNPZvLvlEGNqB1hi3PtplxBa0qQp7aU-BnZvf4XKomwP-JvHwZzhw/s320/Copy%20of%2010.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>This area had been given rent-free to a group of interested people to develop as a space for nature by the Trustees of the Winkleigh War Memorial Recreation Field. At that point it was rough ground, covered in thistles, docks and nettles which had been left alone since the building of the Sports Centre in 2003. At first, we had romantic visions of a wild flower meadow, but our first work-parties showed us just how fertile the ground was and how it would be very difficult to restore without using pigs or stripping off all the topsoil. Initially there was no fencing or rent to pay, as the rest of the field had not yet been let out to a sheep farmer. This blog tells our story of joys and challenges over the past decade in more detail. Thanks to the many people have been involved, of all ages, in so many ways to support this project. Just look at these photos to see the Area's development!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekalhZps61QKZ8zjnZLwYUUIs9QOdw-FBb8POuKhqQsaOnqIvissQy9Im7l0fk8_LfLWFGtnRC3o21GPIbWqcoov36qnbYKQ2vYzvdkg-sp6asaectNqL101s6_2Vlu1sBbplsvfQ-48cd6Kd8xbxuSoyvmg-YOz0vWLlv7DyRFJDdGJ9oPf8o3wGbw/s400/1_Before%20we%20started%20winter%202012.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekalhZps61QKZ8zjnZLwYUUIs9QOdw-FBb8POuKhqQsaOnqIvissQy9Im7l0fk8_LfLWFGtnRC3o21GPIbWqcoov36qnbYKQ2vYzvdkg-sp6asaectNqL101s6_2Vlu1sBbplsvfQ-48cd6Kd8xbxuSoyvmg-YOz0vWLlv7DyRFJDdGJ9oPf8o3wGbw/s320/1_Before%20we%20started%20winter%202012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before we started in<br /> 2012</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzxLp-wHxAZQfFcV9H7oGVOxykALmoQHu2ykIkStpkA2g5x5h426lzL6AsJOfaZVMcaOqw_CVVOb6UIAaoRjcKBhFZLls0mcjQJxF0FwXxccsAQaq4amzFDGOoX0ygAtDlvrQiMTMpKK4olMX0T6rSDVcf9eGw48HBZw5zhIDC59CJKPCBl0hxTpvYA/s3228/2_moundtoptrees1212.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2490" data-original-width="3228" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzxLp-wHxAZQfFcV9H7oGVOxykALmoQHu2ykIkStpkA2g5x5h426lzL6AsJOfaZVMcaOqw_CVVOb6UIAaoRjcKBhFZLls0mcjQJxF0FwXxccsAQaq4amzFDGOoX0ygAtDlvrQiMTMpKK4olMX0T6rSDVcf9eGw48HBZw5zhIDC59CJKPCBl0hxTpvYA/s320/2_moundtoptrees1212.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First trees planted 1st December 2012</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl08dYP4oKL_ycmsy8ALUD2QxWB2yBdZrN8gHX4PLndTiXsRY6nDB_0GVE_UEMQcXdUr4_GPLtYXI6KJ3s8n4sCOafGwV5L_h8DA42Uyl5T3yZryUwf559hqPpaa-I3aqgbAy7YvoDI8hh7l5sN90LTCi3W_fTaAVKbcd9pRTgXTpo4cPlANh6BVe_w/s4320/Biod%20Area%20May%202014%20sheep.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl08dYP4oKL_ycmsy8ALUD2QxWB2yBdZrN8gHX4PLndTiXsRY6nDB_0GVE_UEMQcXdUr4_GPLtYXI6KJ3s8n4sCOafGwV5L_h8DA42Uyl5T3yZryUwf559hqPpaa-I3aqgbAy7YvoDI8hh7l5sN90LTCi3W_fTaAVKbcd9pRTgXTpo4cPlANh6BVe_w/s320/Biod%20Area%20May%202014%20sheep.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep invasion in May 2014!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxmfH7Q8gdPfJclxf-QekBAcxP5V4RXOCqCfU556TXkhF3G4FrcmjA07MrxGOPbVPdDHFE8OpnFGsM1I8Kx3hxfSnXOEMx5cq-l430xYJAEebLHfpycZ7UyceLAtDXggwgqTN8iqVVgN36GH3ZAHSdJ-lRw9_j_J544y4NMVBr41f3uhYxdZRMGyO0w/s1159/beaverssm0615.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="876" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxmfH7Q8gdPfJclxf-QekBAcxP5V4RXOCqCfU556TXkhF3G4FrcmjA07MrxGOPbVPdDHFE8OpnFGsM1I8Kx3hxfSnXOEMx5cq-l430xYJAEebLHfpycZ7UyceLAtDXggwgqTN8iqVVgN36GH3ZAHSdJ-lRw9_j_J544y4NMVBr41f3uhYxdZRMGyO0w/s320/beaverssm0615.JPG" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Involving young people June 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Okg_8hGgHhRLK72dOHPlTmutNUYB1pHsu4vHv2BqEJFYEjVXfnRin2Tlq23dD24F4EaxESUV1ntsp-OnJJ5OSmGGSi70OHXy2RDYbLdEYOX7GUaVLTHeO0XGIm2D4KTE4I8Z0I_c48qcTL0bWV54qeMH1Jq_Qa1ayDSJXvrW8v-_Kn28LFrq2F6EiQ/s1792/row%201%20and%202.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1792" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Okg_8hGgHhRLK72dOHPlTmutNUYB1pHsu4vHv2BqEJFYEjVXfnRin2Tlq23dD24F4EaxESUV1ntsp-OnJJ5OSmGGSi70OHXy2RDYbLdEYOX7GUaVLTHeO0XGIm2D4KTE4I8Z0I_c48qcTL0bWV54qeMH1Jq_Qa1ayDSJXvrW8v-_Kn28LFrq2F6EiQ/s320/row%201%20and%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteer topping the grass May 2017</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDPqjskRxNkMcSguqKR-71ZxZhexGno2lL2FeVJsF8THJpY9xsg6ztlyeSmY67EIDTB7QqRKPrvUdcn_R7lVMI4AU0bdvTeohefBj2KwQt94fTYq1xjwAEx62sow27tVHKbn2GhF5cVsaoXs2_JJQOBOP7PSbolIQVppjtVuyLbXcwX2lQsc9sm7B9Q/s2272/7_tree%20planting%2012%20jan%2020%20biodiv.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1704" data-original-width="2272" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDPqjskRxNkMcSguqKR-71ZxZhexGno2lL2FeVJsF8THJpY9xsg6ztlyeSmY67EIDTB7QqRKPrvUdcn_R7lVMI4AU0bdvTeohefBj2KwQt94fTYq1xjwAEx62sow27tVHKbn2GhF5cVsaoXs2_JJQOBOP7PSbolIQVppjtVuyLbXcwX2lQsc9sm7B9Q/s320/7_tree%20planting%2012%20jan%2020%20biodiv.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Families tree-planting in January 2020</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9A1r8nlZemcx36NNcYdznNUJ0Th3bKRNPwKhqvb-sTahnY7vI01jDOb5yMWWE8QIBXU3ySLnMJBpfmmz4YCmc7naDCf4q7YT1ZMP9Wk43n3-LeJ345JxxlsDC4rLewjRPGSnnYHPawFvOrtXWsFt3utQ3CYSNjgbEDNjFj1TujNWOJ2tn0JkAVAtPA/s4170/9_biodiversity%20area%20from%20field%20june%202021.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2588" data-original-width="4170" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9A1r8nlZemcx36NNcYdznNUJ0Th3bKRNPwKhqvb-sTahnY7vI01jDOb5yMWWE8QIBXU3ySLnMJBpfmmz4YCmc7naDCf4q7YT1ZMP9Wk43n3-LeJ345JxxlsDC4rLewjRPGSnnYHPawFvOrtXWsFt3utQ3CYSNjgbEDNjFj1TujNWOJ2tn0JkAVAtPA/s320/9_biodiversity%20area%20from%20field%20june%202021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from field in June 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_ZEaTbrNKgWGdKbQH9R5JP_PHl5jUUThkIl1LCB5mwYGZvRYMdWfY-n3ahiX5ByX2J0Hr6AkHqxpcKYBOFjt-85AwxdEZtRgAn9tQBLlkw_iRLKNw0jryBUsEwpNaTl0TBBlQUTZBqiFgRZKyqUIo0lk7a6XMcLZoOWDmESnvIAx4QDK2AYwuSNjRg/s4160/IMG_20220327_162440.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_ZEaTbrNKgWGdKbQH9R5JP_PHl5jUUThkIl1LCB5mwYGZvRYMdWfY-n3ahiX5ByX2J0Hr6AkHqxpcKYBOFjt-85AwxdEZtRgAn9tQBLlkw_iRLKNw0jryBUsEwpNaTl0TBBlQUTZBqiFgRZKyqUIo0lk7a6XMcLZoOWDmESnvIAx4QDK2AYwuSNjRg/s320/IMG_20220327_162440.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Cherry 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HjOHp4PzRSHerP9xal9eWX6WoMMgrRnKzGBZX9kbBnJeMrTJMgm1y2snMfBh1iWIpgAHdRAxdxe0OxpPcRdXcL6ECwymTxczGuFWtPhO1fhqsRvHaeBgGXnCpqCEI1OdJmOWNcK1Eg2BwP4yLWc2a0vcS7ltG8za7WpzWrRdH-YhL0xgFFhx5nDymQ/s4160/silver%20birch%20catkins.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HjOHp4PzRSHerP9xal9eWX6WoMMgrRnKzGBZX9kbBnJeMrTJMgm1y2snMfBh1iWIpgAHdRAxdxe0OxpPcRdXcL6ECwymTxczGuFWtPhO1fhqsRvHaeBgGXnCpqCEI1OdJmOWNcK1Eg2BwP4yLWc2a0vcS7ltG8za7WpzWrRdH-YhL0xgFFhx5nDymQ/s320/silver%20birch%20catkins.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Birch</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dK0I0qewst3twtbcRlMGgaoBzdCbZwcXAuMvWljZgxojwSHB94XiFvRefCuBNBCsVP21GS6glh8lvuQrXq2IyWyCAq-GGvlzirD4xTX7LMYhEqORDP19XZC30RXvbJ5hB9QvnJqzjzfQOvM2SPZKXzfSR4MjOaJIX4RkuYXBqC3lllC8DOQ_PpuYMQ/s2272/flowers%20aug%2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1704" data-original-width="2272" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dK0I0qewst3twtbcRlMGgaoBzdCbZwcXAuMvWljZgxojwSHB94XiFvRefCuBNBCsVP21GS6glh8lvuQrXq2IyWyCAq-GGvlzirD4xTX7LMYhEqORDP19XZC30RXvbJ5hB9QvnJqzjzfQOvM2SPZKXzfSR4MjOaJIX4RkuYXBqC3lllC8DOQ_PpuYMQ/s320/flowers%20aug%2019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knapweed and Yarrow</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="text-align: left;">We welcome everyone to join in our maintenance work-parties and citizen science events.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-17236372275565347252022-12-04T20:31:00.003+00:002022-12-08T16:42:05.494+00:00First post-pandemic winter work-party<p>Today, for the first time since the winter of 2019-2020, we were able to gather a larger group of people together for a work-party on The Mound without restrictions or fear of spreading coronavirus. </p><p>It is also the first time we have been able to celebrate together being Winners in the <b>North Devon Biosphere Pledge for Nature Award</b> in Spring 2021. Winkleigh Biodiversity Group won the Community Group Award and Kim was nominated a 'Community Champion'. Kim and Penny are proudly holding up the plaques we won.<br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3NV86jVi01Lwcln8owIjRIwEl90jTo0_mN7xnrS_0Wjk9dIweuzrbJUSob3K5pK4gI4GfkaZgzFOx2ci8AbzoNNUtb305Vc-FCcJrLzkwiZJ5-UZjKV7SbHZkQ56LrAW-QD7-TLx3LstySZhgJ5ISPT9pmAhpDk7FXm1hOVDqmv6FgVjUuPegUXSDw/s3761/IMG_20221204_141311.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="3761" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3NV86jVi01Lwcln8owIjRIwEl90jTo0_mN7xnrS_0Wjk9dIweuzrbJUSob3K5pK4gI4GfkaZgzFOx2ci8AbzoNNUtb305Vc-FCcJrLzkwiZJ5-UZjKV7SbHZkQ56LrAW-QD7-TLx3LstySZhgJ5ISPT9pmAhpDk7FXm1hOVDqmv6FgVjUuPegUXSDw/s320/IMG_20221204_141311.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Pledge for Nature Awards<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p>The weather was cold but dry, so the ten of us spread out over the Area each to our separate tasks. James replaced many of the plastic tree-spirals with the plant-based biodegradable ones we bought recently with funds raised from the Winkleigh Tree Hub in April.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLDhiCFoRkdYCApZd_rEmXcAmx2dZyg76AMS94g1i9PySsz3yXA22LX48SXaHfYz1xnA0dUg0YKck89sJRhS5tao0ks2i7Ngk5Dy5jgLK6lJ9poCvRtlEXGzoeg7UoCOYRQcO_V07-Rt-KaIE4Zf3RgU9zbrXP9D-JmSzcigJ_SmrOmAMLG7zTyorKA/s3134/IMG_20221204_185322.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3134" data-original-width="2504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLDhiCFoRkdYCApZd_rEmXcAmx2dZyg76AMS94g1i9PySsz3yXA22LX48SXaHfYz1xnA0dUg0YKck89sJRhS5tao0ks2i7Ngk5Dy5jgLK6lJ9poCvRtlEXGzoeg7UoCOYRQcO_V07-Rt-KaIE4Zf3RgU9zbrXP9D-JmSzcigJ_SmrOmAMLG7zTyorKA/s320/IMG_20221204_185322.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replacing plastic tree-guards</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>David trimmed back some of the most flowery
patches on the grass path. Cutting grass back now will help the
Knapweed, Yarrow, Oxeye Daisy and Marsh Woundwort which flower there in mid-Summer. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOD1vxAwzfI-oqXzzf89C84G4XMhaRaC0ANRZ31PyX84nkK8j6bfkFfCU1Z8o73f1SRFT4eLQFv9jotYhI4-8pYFhnEpWM2p3_JtJBhNtVZrMyDPtKekiBxRp5SwP-wg60JZdv9qlKQSRYbsvhS7-fUoAPZulWVcg31QIWB_dcmk6GB7UvTNl3UE_Ww/s2274/IMG_20221204_141201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2274" data-original-width="2240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOD1vxAwzfI-oqXzzf89C84G4XMhaRaC0ANRZ31PyX84nkK8j6bfkFfCU1Z8o73f1SRFT4eLQFv9jotYhI4-8pYFhnEpWM2p3_JtJBhNtVZrMyDPtKekiBxRp5SwP-wg60JZdv9qlKQSRYbsvhS7-fUoAPZulWVcg31QIWB_dcmk6GB7UvTNl3UE_Ww/s320/IMG_20221204_141201.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strimming the flowery patches<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The rest of us, Kim, Trevor, Catherine, Maggie, Ian, Sue, Penny and Philip all set to snipping bramble around the smaller whips so that they don't get shaded out next year. The taller trees actually benefit from bramble around them, as this stops the deer from damaging the bark. During the morning's work we also had three visitors to see what we have been doing here.<br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqyVvWhp-w9KbG4az10rri0ZBNsvRzA_XeTsNug-o39ss6ZPrgNN-KZRS1Y6O_dTY_Ws1BiZ54xyXb8gyK-uK4nGQFYjm5iBdSF0hI1HjLx4t2Cbe-reMWD191tpChBpijbpDu1YbRVjmjCHRZoopEptQGeI22Ag28pKeqPogM4b5KJaS4JqLdaqZ4g/s4160/IMG_20221204_123326.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqyVvWhp-w9KbG4az10rri0ZBNsvRzA_XeTsNug-o39ss6ZPrgNN-KZRS1Y6O_dTY_Ws1BiZ54xyXb8gyK-uK4nGQFYjm5iBdSF0hI1HjLx4t2Cbe-reMWD191tpChBpijbpDu1YbRVjmjCHRZoopEptQGeI22Ag28pKeqPogM4b5KJaS4JqLdaqZ4g/s320/IMG_20221204_123326.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trimming back some bramble</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />To our delight we found two small nests made of woven vegetation. This one is 8cm in diameter and is definitely a Harvest Mouse nest. It was found by Maggie in some bramble which had been cut back by Alan last week. We will register this find with the Devon Harvest Mouse Survey which is run by the Devon Mammal Group. It is the first nest found in our 10km x 10km square this winter survey season. The only other one this year was found by Kim here (photos on the April 2022 blog).<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9XHiiT97CSd9qTVM5lpK9u1NVbgEF_H_qYDk1K3aty3KZDy1Jnn46JkjBz0KOQspPW1HswVrDo9zn2_IRboQCnrWd995H32g4cGChKjEqbD82F8dPZgNl1a80fRcdbUUsP9A6d0tTtWULOqyQ9L-q7bSR0KsdoYsZLll5q9QCS1TwkoyMGilIP8U2g/s4160/IMG_20221204_120422.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9XHiiT97CSd9qTVM5lpK9u1NVbgEF_H_qYDk1K3aty3KZDy1Jnn46JkjBz0KOQspPW1HswVrDo9zn2_IRboQCnrWd995H32g4cGChKjEqbD82F8dPZgNl1a80fRcdbUUsP9A6d0tTtWULOqyQ9L-q7bSR0KsdoYsZLll5q9QCS1TwkoyMGilIP8U2g/s320/IMG_20221204_120422.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvest Mouse nest of woven grass</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />What is truly amazing about Nature, is that if you give it space and leave it in peace, many species move in. For the first time this year, we have lichen growing on two of the trees. Firstly, a foliose lichen on a Wild Cherry and secondly a script lichen on English Oak, both planted in 2012.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySu_nrdHlH7TYosR3KnObRLn2efklhkCROWvHFr4MvKf3NPpZ6KuZwFI93ElLSl39tGQyYwYpzYvC1Ah3MEMuHlNxvzQxnAyxRNmjdZl0B5IAmNzyGYVF6e3c7TwfSQvlwBKrOWU85JH49fMOzSAwa_W3QVay8BLqL2M5iLAJTIw8jY89nmcOlWYxVg/s3099/IMG_20221204_193642.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3099" data-original-width="2873" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySu_nrdHlH7TYosR3KnObRLn2efklhkCROWvHFr4MvKf3NPpZ6KuZwFI93ElLSl39tGQyYwYpzYvC1Ah3MEMuHlNxvzQxnAyxRNmjdZl0B5IAmNzyGYVF6e3c7TwfSQvlwBKrOWU85JH49fMOzSAwa_W3QVay8BLqL2M5iLAJTIw8jY89nmcOlWYxVg/s320/IMG_20221204_193642.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foliose lichen<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Dp23jEt2NheI-y8UzpGBEVihSLlYsuAw_V6h2EK9LImRxvzChdB4QekmYemvw5UQ7LtleUWWk5HpuaydsEcNozRNE3V4jGP3BmbvUHOZBJu7aIYBFQaSk7F7ks07nDUsL95kwI37jI3v-7jHCXvND0oni3ERkpU5nKnOy5bbX4TICDuqQsn2coUe4g/s2942/IMG_20221204_193745.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2942" data-original-width="2821" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Dp23jEt2NheI-y8UzpGBEVihSLlYsuAw_V6h2EK9LImRxvzChdB4QekmYemvw5UQ7LtleUWWk5HpuaydsEcNozRNE3V4jGP3BmbvUHOZBJu7aIYBFQaSk7F7ks07nDUsL95kwI37jI3v-7jHCXvND0oni3ERkpU5nKnOy5bbX4TICDuqQsn2coUe4g/s320/IMG_20221204_193745.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Script lichen<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The site has changed since the summer, when the dead Leylandii hedge between the Old Bowling Green and the Biodiversity Area was removed. We can now see the Sports Centre and a certain amount of shelter from the westerly winds has gone.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wrRw67O9kh7Fqzj1BalmH0UCVzbUp7y_FNM5BU9dV8ytUot-13inhcuWeoQ9wofUctnpmfOIJwamPzMblBWhnP95n0QLevwPhdnL5BS7dTnP001eaS6LcE7vMym_HPd4JunBRm8bzvPVJdQHeRIz7UJBIDVom1zhiKiwVQ1Ux0AzaZNlriixZ8nSqw/s4160/IMG_20221130_102816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wrRw67O9kh7Fqzj1BalmH0UCVzbUp7y_FNM5BU9dV8ytUot-13inhcuWeoQ9wofUctnpmfOIJwamPzMblBWhnP95n0QLevwPhdnL5BS7dTnP001eaS6LcE7vMym_HPd4JunBRm8bzvPVJdQHeRIz7UJBIDVom1zhiKiwVQ1Ux0AzaZNlriixZ8nSqw/s320/IMG_20221130_102816.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to the South West<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>On our tenth anniversary we are celebrating our achievement and yet we are also awaiting anxiously the outcome of a proposal by the current Trustees to develop a sports pitch across part of the Biodiversity Area, which would cut into the Spiral Maze and displace many trees, shrubs and plants, which feed and house many of the species that make their home here.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKONgOPDy-l1R35w9S-AKkjl1EbW9G4WMudnLScRTPci-ffFA4PJayFW1u4NVr61JzylTJSicelWbGCT2vuwwrMJK3VH9yF9jpJlNW2XUY_Kfl6gw_-vW0Pj6bMwuAFta1aDfXiiFqpnkKEcCquCVraJId3HBDlDWD4nnHqG-a2oi52nF2ocbzr2BPg/s4160/IMG_20221130_101851.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKONgOPDy-l1R35w9S-AKkjl1EbW9G4WMudnLScRTPci-ffFA4PJayFW1u4NVr61JzylTJSicelWbGCT2vuwwrMJK3VH9yF9jpJlNW2XUY_Kfl6gw_-vW0Pj6bMwuAFta1aDfXiiFqpnkKEcCquCVraJId3HBDlDWD4nnHqG-a2oi52nF2ocbzr2BPg/s320/IMG_20221130_101851.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young hazel, oak and rowan</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-21824328702827355962022-11-14T20:05:00.000+00:002022-11-14T20:07:29.755+00:00Summer fruits and next year's butterflies<p>It was a warm sunny day at the end of August when I took a stroll around the Biodiversity Area to see what was there. Blackberries were ripening on the brambles, providing fruit for birds, wasps and small mammals, such as voles, dormice and harvest mice.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyjuwI2zuaq4IE-HRGgu5nDGtxc3235OxNZ7GOMCNicyq4LR1g0PFkDl8Sz1Vg3h3EJiTwI5EwB2i8MrK-hr4JddyWM72HVtoeV2IFjFnTZ50IFVOZeCw0q-rVgpEny6lGrOwbtsWfykzMCCeayssxJtI3w49LjJVXda52R2pH4So2ukiTCjgDfrumA/s2527/blackberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="2525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyjuwI2zuaq4IE-HRGgu5nDGtxc3235OxNZ7GOMCNicyq4LR1g0PFkDl8Sz1Vg3h3EJiTwI5EwB2i8MrK-hr4JddyWM72HVtoeV2IFjFnTZ50IFVOZeCw0q-rVgpEny6lGrOwbtsWfykzMCCeayssxJtI3w49LjJVXda52R2pH4So2ukiTCjgDfrumA/s320/blackberries.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In addition, I found some black aphids clustered along a stem, looking like a good meal for hungry birds.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULYc1ldTo46rj7IZxlcLTz2gKgN7N5fh1uPjW7mG1BLZnINldGFxK6g6_zMWXveQ8GgziwP9H31Om5wIMGxGGoMSeffVtCFgC1idDfgzlTPNUZ2YgJUwvFP0LcgME2e-YGPvH6pRYhXpFkhSiKaY8rdnRrIH0X-XzmSI6NRvSEpRhNynE7eB5fCqSXg/s4160/blackfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULYc1ldTo46rj7IZxlcLTz2gKgN7N5fh1uPjW7mG1BLZnINldGFxK6g6_zMWXveQ8GgziwP9H31Om5wIMGxGGoMSeffVtCFgC1idDfgzlTPNUZ2YgJUwvFP0LcgME2e-YGPvH6pRYhXpFkhSiKaY8rdnRrIH0X-XzmSI6NRvSEpRhNynE7eB5fCqSXg/s320/blackfly.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">One of the Silver Birches had a good crop of catkins, to provide seedlings for the future, but also good to sustain birds and voles through the coming winter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RQLVfEtcrr0EHl2aIiY-43pVEzILeI1zZQplwt9c7SU8ZPMP01sMJ321EoGJ_BWEHnW2GQ4A-NSg-7xsuq2_AgeaeV4SR3frRX4jHsPepNXIm39qebF-M1NX3CIfyAqbVR2xsKvB_djp6UO1g5fwW8vxqjOmV2D7RSKMWHEK-onSAXDT1dzzfc7P_Q/s4160/silver%20birch%20catkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RQLVfEtcrr0EHl2aIiY-43pVEzILeI1zZQplwt9c7SU8ZPMP01sMJ321EoGJ_BWEHnW2GQ4A-NSg-7xsuq2_AgeaeV4SR3frRX4jHsPepNXIm39qebF-M1NX3CIfyAqbVR2xsKvB_djp6UO1g5fwW8vxqjOmV2D7RSKMWHEK-onSAXDT1dzzfc7P_Q/s320/silver%20birch%20catkins.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birch catkins August 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The cycle of life was also evident in the hope for next year's butterflies and moths. One brightly-coloured Cinnabar Moth caterpillar was chewing on Common Ragwort (<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 13.52px; letter-spacing: 0.338px; text-align: left;">Senecio jacobaea)</em>, before spending the winter as a pupa, to emerge in May to July next year.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNnB1bEnvi1BRb5XYe_OeF6t6V8XxPgBy09b8UjiP37L5JRKVVoN9MiVRum9ha43NOp7QzwPmD80gBYLZ9Kl2PaZAx5vKpASFROd4j7Ws-nv-zVma4SANX363yTrdQIk5n_xzs9eRW-EwwuE-UzLe02yFvGEn7A-kUWEBSsTn5iZCiSBcRl0oGyJ_TA/s2303/cinnabar%20moth%20caterpillar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2303" data-original-width="2301" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNnB1bEnvi1BRb5XYe_OeF6t6V8XxPgBy09b8UjiP37L5JRKVVoN9MiVRum9ha43NOp7QzwPmD80gBYLZ9Kl2PaZAx5vKpASFROd4j7Ws-nv-zVma4SANX363yTrdQIk5n_xzs9eRW-EwwuE-UzLe02yFvGEn7A-kUWEBSsTn5iZCiSBcRl0oGyJ_TA/s320/cinnabar%20moth%20caterpillar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnabar moth caterpillar</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">And finally, I was enthralled to watch a pair of Small Copper butterflies mating in the warm sunshine on a bramble leaf, promising more of these delightful small butterflies for 2023.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6fjLgcfBIavuhRhseZ47fBh-I7a7hyu4gMiL5w11PyhdHH8vWlB2AQOejAg9ifMjeWZiHLiVyJ43l7qJEsk53j4BS94J8i4Fe8Y91fXznm3pxByiaRUbOkaC71b-JLcf1uZvdQX3cjb_XxcTUDO1p0KSXW9mwMnQvFJH9ZANUekI_pl3uoAWHxqtew/s2527/small%20copper%20pair%20290822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="2525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6fjLgcfBIavuhRhseZ47fBh-I7a7hyu4gMiL5w11PyhdHH8vWlB2AQOejAg9ifMjeWZiHLiVyJ43l7qJEsk53j4BS94J8i4Fe8Y91fXznm3pxByiaRUbOkaC71b-JLcf1uZvdQX3cjb_XxcTUDO1p0KSXW9mwMnQvFJH9ZANUekI_pl3uoAWHxqtew/s320/small%20copper%20pair%20290822.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper pair mating</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Small Copper is usually only seen in ones or twos. We usually have some on the site each year, as the caterpillars feed on Sorrel, which is abundant. They sometimes eat Broad-leaved Dock, too. <span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.338px;">Warm, dry conditions are favoured, unlike some of the other butterflies</span> which prefer our damp grassland. So perhaps this unusually dry hot summer has been beneficial to them. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.338px;">Wing Span (male to female): 32-35 mm.</span></p></div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-38216921338130205212022-08-24T17:03:00.001+01:002022-12-08T16:53:57.104+00:00 Devon's driest Summer for decades<p>This Summer has seen so little rain that an official drought was declared this month and a hosepipe ban introduced. Naturally, this has affected the smaller trees in particular and it is possible we may lose some of those planted last season. When I visited in early August, many of the trees were surviving, but had autumn colouring and they were losing their leaves prematurely. The recent rain will have helped them enormously.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zSPMmNh7yw7N-DzeGNvt17vXThLvwq7RSvsVv9QjpLhXU_qQkiWqJe8GbZS72SfPRlwX5ddn3eyb5uZBQNixgtHceVvWGV3VgKoEeN5nYZh4LQBdakbEVyxb9aIS1NrkYM4JhHBrt9kHnnk6j4dz5ydaR6DVtJ-iVcHdmIY6epqIjAYHvUiAWzqQxw/s4160/bird%20cherry.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zSPMmNh7yw7N-DzeGNvt17vXThLvwq7RSvsVv9QjpLhXU_qQkiWqJe8GbZS72SfPRlwX5ddn3eyb5uZBQNixgtHceVvWGV3VgKoEeN5nYZh4LQBdakbEVyxb9aIS1NrkYM4JhHBrt9kHnnk6j4dz5ydaR6DVtJ-iVcHdmIY6epqIjAYHvUiAWzqQxw/s320/bird%20cherry.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird Cherry from 2022<br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>On a brighter note, the warm sunshine has helped the many butterfly, bumblebee and insect populations. Here are some photos of butterfly species observed in the grass. This is the second year running that I have seen the beautiful Marbled White in flight, so am hopeful a colony may be established.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUWX9vqEb1aL_819vvFtX-ywd3VWk2EwlVet--uEuiF-bq17DbXmYRRWTo4Heo4fgWr9TdMCi9LDKrzOB8APw_aqJM42H6_ExYlD47TfyqITZdGi4S9fF5A3O5c0vl8o3EM6T_5Mdn0H2U7KP45Oa8JDwi4syYAc-_t8fJgAKXIyJ_9qM8eGlWZg8Ag/s2207/Male%20Small%20Skipper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="2207" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUWX9vqEb1aL_819vvFtX-ywd3VWk2EwlVet--uEuiF-bq17DbXmYRRWTo4Heo4fgWr9TdMCi9LDKrzOB8APw_aqJM42H6_ExYlD47TfyqITZdGi4S9fF5A3O5c0vl8o3EM6T_5Mdn0H2U7KP45Oa8JDwi4syYAc-_t8fJgAKXIyJ_9qM8eGlWZg8Ag/s320/Male%20Small%20Skipper.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Skipper - Male<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) <br /></b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">1. Can be seen as a butterfly end of June to the start of August.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">2. Female lays her eggs on the grass known as Yorkshire
Fog (Holcus <span>lanatus). </span><span> </span><span> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">3. The caterpillars <b>spend the winter cocooned inside the grass
stem.</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">4. Typical habitats are rough grass, grass verges and
woodland clearings.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sYsvTH9B_BH3z3JnJNgHkhr9dc4BSZ1U3KTmHpVBcz8N3xxlDRh_7kx4-qNqIX6tlyabrwsa31CXlCrMwl1-haOSV360GwBPFrYwTY4Bf1mjeNgqQWrE6FCeRmy24K0MluOcH5famjSZistRx4QpqbSpRD0rL2DOFft09PbWtWNkuHS28bulTry0-w/s4160/IMG_20220714_123149.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sYsvTH9B_BH3z3JnJNgHkhr9dc4BSZ1U3KTmHpVBcz8N3xxlDRh_7kx4-qNqIX6tlyabrwsa31CXlCrMwl1-haOSV360GwBPFrYwTY4Bf1mjeNgqQWrE6FCeRmy24K0MluOcH5famjSZistRx4QpqbSpRD0rL2DOFft09PbWtWNkuHS28bulTry0-w/s320/IMG_20220714_123149.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p></p><p><b>Marbled White (Melanargia galathea):</b></p>
<p>1. Beautiful patterns of striking black and white.</p>
<p></p>
<p>2. Flies late June to early August.</p>
<p>3. The female drops her eggs to the ground, rather than choosing a
specific grass species to lay upon.</p>
<p>4. Caterpillar eats shell then hibernates. </p>
<p>5. The Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) and Sheep's Fescue (Festuca ovina)
are the main plants that the caterpillars use.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sd3-pZr53nB1kYbIMR8Tq_noQPCSTkQzEXjEA175ydKkdBMDoyxpvpmSn8mx4Y_MfyT-BkUxha556LApNOm6ErCRaLsQBUmDJorg3TdKFUPjy2GvRLCBHASQKqBqdP8f2pRZ2MWqUIzXEIA0MvRUQpDcogCKHw-Chs3fGryhnJGsY2bIBFKQ2ggZsw/s2048/gatekeeper%20biodiv%2019%2007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sd3-pZr53nB1kYbIMR8Tq_noQPCSTkQzEXjEA175ydKkdBMDoyxpvpmSn8mx4Y_MfyT-BkUxha556LApNOm6ErCRaLsQBUmDJorg3TdKFUPjy2GvRLCBHASQKqBqdP8f2pRZ2MWqUIzXEIA0MvRUQpDcogCKHw-Chs3fGryhnJGsY2bIBFKQ2ggZsw/s320/gatekeeper%20biodiv%2019%2007.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b>Gatekeeper butterfly</b></p><p>Flies in July to August and feeds on<b> </b>various grasses with a preference for fine grasses such as bents (<em>Agrostis </em>spp<em>.</em>), fescues (<em>Festuca </em>spp.), and meadow-grasses (<em>Poa </em>spp<em>.). </em>Common Couch (<em>Elytrigia repens</em>) is also used. </p><p>There were plenty of other insects there too, and I managed to catch a mature grasshopper resting on a blade of grass. These adults will be around until winter sets in and their nymphs will emerge next April or May.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1Wb41z6t1Gz2hGbWbIvJu0tROdTRz3FrrsKJNIVNxGMm99QeZafZQwidZ1wk1H2stKngLSDLOTXdpJFYr75feza_Og3T-qRR0C9QM-57OqVkUUdjaeuh2wv8WQtBn2OZv-5bQ75XfUHo9JwJq3b6tND_cX0sp-n-_uHHwsm_Khh9SIQ3cZt7zfQDCA/s2810/grasshopper%20aug%2014%2022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2810" data-original-width="2808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1Wb41z6t1Gz2hGbWbIvJu0tROdTRz3FrrsKJNIVNxGMm99QeZafZQwidZ1wk1H2stKngLSDLOTXdpJFYr75feza_Og3T-qRR0C9QM-57OqVkUUdjaeuh2wv8WQtBn2OZv-5bQ75XfUHo9JwJq3b6tND_cX0sp-n-_uHHwsm_Khh9SIQ3cZt7zfQDCA/s320/grasshopper%20aug%2014%2022.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Grasshopper (mature)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>All these records will be sent to Devon Biodiversity Records Centre, as well as informing the Big Butterfly Count and the Big Meadow Search 2022.</p><p>In May, we carried out some summer maintenance. A small group of us met to clear grass around the smaller trees. Here Peter and Alan are at work. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87c-2J3TA9m2k0VPzdtbeMLKKTByzj-VMGeC4V0HVnV5h3AC2VPeX7fr28nbQcKQe31ptNtu7e4ed2KJRUeBQWS9HxmOvBybtUDTcMRii1DmaMziob33nOfmW97t2Pu6zMEX82IZIlkhhtcLGFKDITDEmH7M-3jLG_3KNDCdjVvQEXIs2XFd_Dr9pTA/s4160/Peter%20Stutt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87c-2J3TA9m2k0VPzdtbeMLKKTByzj-VMGeC4V0HVnV5h3AC2VPeX7fr28nbQcKQe31ptNtu7e4ed2KJRUeBQWS9HxmOvBybtUDTcMRii1DmaMziob33nOfmW97t2Pu6zMEX82IZIlkhhtcLGFKDITDEmH7M-3jLG_3KNDCdjVvQEXIs2XFd_Dr9pTA/w240-h320/Peter%20Stutt.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wOPvbKeWrkaT05FTwf6mOGdx7hpnvSML0YieQT87nIeM8ZGKklfM4Wl5E45Szji8D-w18trrRaWVc_PTMGNkXJxasSWyiAJb6rSDLF_Eep9afpZC7mRydKsPXLf_JTbpGLbAHIdy9hSPbqQLGe0xSXHh9JplzpTsFhWtNE5EGH1JwMbdtEfk1ljPsQ/s4160/alan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wOPvbKeWrkaT05FTwf6mOGdx7hpnvSML0YieQT87nIeM8ZGKklfM4Wl5E45Szji8D-w18trrRaWVc_PTMGNkXJxasSWyiAJb6rSDLF_Eep9afpZC7mRydKsPXLf_JTbpGLbAHIdy9hSPbqQLGe0xSXHh9JplzpTsFhWtNE5EGH1JwMbdtEfk1ljPsQ/s320/alan.jpg" width="240" /></a><p></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>
<p style="text-align: left;"><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 115% }</style></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 115% }</style></p>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-32442608488699255072022-04-26T22:25:00.000+01:002022-11-14T20:07:55.295+00:00Home to many creatures<p>Over the past few weeks, we have made a few visits to weed around the tree spirals and to plant a further 20 trees donated by The Woodland Trust. These included some Spindle, Silver Birch, Osier Willow and Field Maple. We have also added a few primroses in the far corner. Last week I saw a Willow Warbler along the hedge-bank. But the most exciting find was a Harvest Mouse nest inside a tree-tube! It was the solitary nest of a young mouse and could have been there since 2021, or the previous Summer, as that particular tree was planted in late 2019.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fF9M-B4gDQk-sHRjmWXsNZOYPyt1vUIfdr9uB_dlvev5hfYT0HZ0RGXbsu00qBv_FDCrOkQWDcOah3xTAgFilabL1yBsYPzS6kr652DGPE077Szbkvceuk-6PqNpjA5lrwnIbKjCumAPtcLQbFGIxVSgRv2aACa7pae3uPgyTpvubTFx6-4Yr7X65A/s4160/harvest%20mouse%20140422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fF9M-B4gDQk-sHRjmWXsNZOYPyt1vUIfdr9uB_dlvev5hfYT0HZ0RGXbsu00qBv_FDCrOkQWDcOah3xTAgFilabL1yBsYPzS6kr652DGPE077Szbkvceuk-6PqNpjA5lrwnIbKjCumAPtcLQbFGIxVSgRv2aACa7pae3uPgyTpvubTFx6-4Yr7X65A/s320/harvest%20mouse%20140422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solitary Harvest Mouse Nest<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p>Later on I found another nest, this time it was closely packed at the base of the tree-tube and made of leaves, some grass, fur and chewed polythene. This was most likely the nest of a Wood Mouse. They like the warm, dry tree-tubes and treat them like an underground hole. It is difficult to see, but here is the photo:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUlDO-MCIgvRudkQoxA9NAbbnmCOMk_UYmaJf9NkBM_yBMmZXhdJMuqu0i0X__vvagrSvaJDoUlPLLMooTZVnXc21Y7rWaN-9CeRM9YT-QOSdgmTLq30tA33fdZzAFEjcfbOxo6sEXG1Wof0FILX1ptym1x7xsL7mZeQufkq0Xa1MiAxnO2dPR6sfoQ/s2951/wood%20mouse%20nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2951" data-original-width="2945" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUlDO-MCIgvRudkQoxA9NAbbnmCOMk_UYmaJf9NkBM_yBMmZXhdJMuqu0i0X__vvagrSvaJDoUlPLLMooTZVnXc21Y7rWaN-9CeRM9YT-QOSdgmTLq30tA33fdZzAFEjcfbOxo6sEXG1Wof0FILX1ptym1x7xsL7mZeQufkq0Xa1MiAxnO2dPR6sfoQ/s320/wood%20mouse%20nest.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Mouse nest<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>There were Buff-tailed Bumblebee Queens scouting around for holes. Some trees are in blossom now, such as Crab Apple and Wild Cherry, with Hawthorn, Rowan and Whitebeam not far behind. Today was warm and sunny. Maggie was taking advantage of the dry weather to cut the grass path for the first time. We saw several butterflies, including Peacock, Holly Blue, a pair of Tortoiseshell, Brimstone and a female Orange Tip. The Lady's Smock (food-plant of the Orange Tip) is in flower both in the Biodiversity Area and in the field outside. Maggie also saw a couple of lizards.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCShB8WjE7E238wVFNYKNJVREKgElOS2-ictTIVJuJ-X0_8w2BwMuW2X0HGfn5S8GTIUeOmeX3dLgZTX9ps96ex9wRG0hzTcampG70U8raQ6B9Qut-t__GqibNMoMikpD_0Weytgh1kuAoaOKK5ixjXeD224nRw9ytJe0z3bToYJve-KQk4v2ngoUwzg/s2453/peacock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2453" data-original-width="2087" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCShB8WjE7E238wVFNYKNJVREKgElOS2-ictTIVJuJ-X0_8w2BwMuW2X0HGfn5S8GTIUeOmeX3dLgZTX9ps96ex9wRG0hzTcampG70U8raQ6B9Qut-t__GqibNMoMikpD_0Weytgh1kuAoaOKK5ixjXeD224nRw9ytJe0z3bToYJve-KQk4v2ngoUwzg/s320/peacock.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock butterfly<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnjTvuLo4jorkp4DdfAMzrf9QcSAm0PDx8kaFwGeCQZlMexadiC8vJvRsFL-GhRjQMp-7GK6RiwAPd5hC1ytE-N6gIDuExX6kiVBxrdSf3zpeBarXon6QOZ8ws6JiBYCM5O7yh5Mj7DDqHCGAjeDSaz7z2j2hIgY6MtkrdXAG2BPzRAxKcEIosI6ggA/s2352/drinker%20moth%20140422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="2138" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnjTvuLo4jorkp4DdfAMzrf9QcSAm0PDx8kaFwGeCQZlMexadiC8vJvRsFL-GhRjQMp-7GK6RiwAPd5hC1ytE-N6gIDuExX6kiVBxrdSf3zpeBarXon6QOZ8ws6JiBYCM5O7yh5Mj7DDqHCGAjeDSaz7z2j2hIgY6MtkrdXAG2BPzRAxKcEIosI6ggA/s320/drinker%20moth%20140422.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinker Moth caterpillar</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTQpA-30UbEDUb5ME119xTzqciTcCvRqpybILYAWRAkeNn4_J39gTmMrQNjXJ_7m8qMsAUCiL1XtzRwAq_b6LeTE-ZSvjdjk-a4F03uXxQvRBEJv7sYjuVUevt_wuf8ovPOcL5O1lz-GIxmR6w_oRIxss54krb5jXH4AufvkYrTb1wr47VND806UfSw/s4160/marble%20gall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTQpA-30UbEDUb5ME119xTzqciTcCvRqpybILYAWRAkeNn4_J39gTmMrQNjXJ_7m8qMsAUCiL1XtzRwAq_b6LeTE-ZSvjdjk-a4F03uXxQvRBEJv7sYjuVUevt_wuf8ovPOcL5O1lz-GIxmR6w_oRIxss54krb5jXH4AufvkYrTb1wr47VND806UfSw/s320/marble%20gall.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak Marble Galls</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It is wonderful to see how each year we are finding different creatures settling in. We have insects (bees, beetles, moths, butterflies, wasps) breeding on site. We have small mammals (voles, wood mice, harvest mice). Also reptiles (lizards and slow worms) and a plentiful population of snails - white-lipped, brown-lipped and Garden Snails, which are a good food source for voles and thrushes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsKCD36LMlTUVCHjltt-1EPeJ_D7aCivWDhmE6cjjZjzbcTxXotjsfC3nAxXO-muptV_o_o7ivYpWfcxKEgJZq5i0Fmik6RRuhde3FQpzFcpdjpMCs_5xmxogMw2m8hysU3MRbiun0IQGTKxB2LgPWbUC6sQ2q06f56tD5qBaNNjc4bE9c5xPzYBmoA/s2086/wl%20snail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2086" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsKCD36LMlTUVCHjltt-1EPeJ_D7aCivWDhmE6cjjZjzbcTxXotjsfC3nAxXO-muptV_o_o7ivYpWfcxKEgJZq5i0Fmik6RRuhde3FQpzFcpdjpMCs_5xmxogMw2m8hysU3MRbiun0IQGTKxB2LgPWbUC6sQ2q06f56tD5qBaNNjc4bE9c5xPzYBmoA/s320/wl%20snail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iUnogzPkUbaCqnBl5J54jqSNP4KngE9JPDShLfX5KCKQCP1MciuQixBJa96EbRazbOxQ6Wt4EH7qtzhY7U3rES6Ym7_r8vRpSBYyANJh73wuRRpbP25G-3BK4D6bbDVgReFHxy_tzNPFBNvuGFshQVk-Cwg8bdfKBZswP42sjpH2udiyxkvfDzL7-g/s2548/g%20snail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2548" data-original-width="2289" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iUnogzPkUbaCqnBl5J54jqSNP4KngE9JPDShLfX5KCKQCP1MciuQixBJa96EbRazbOxQ6Wt4EH7qtzhY7U3rES6Ym7_r8vRpSBYyANJh73wuRRpbP25G-3BK4D6bbDVgReFHxy_tzNPFBNvuGFshQVk-Cwg8bdfKBZswP42sjpH2udiyxkvfDzL7-g/s320/g%20snail.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-49439209257404265392022-04-11T18:21:00.000+01:002022-04-11T18:21:14.325+01:00Adding to the Spiral Maze<p>We are now reaching the end of the tenth planting season. Yesterday, a couple of us went to the Biodiversity Area to add in a few more whips to the spiral row of trees. This time we planted the rest of the second Woodland Pack of 50 - Oak, Alder and Rowan given to us by The Conservation Volunteers <b>#IDigTrees</b> funded by Ovo Energy customers. In addition, there were some Osier Willow, Silver Birch, Common Lime, Spindle and Field Maple. We added 34 trees to the total, which is now many hundreds. A rough tally of planting since December 2012 suggests that we have put in around 800 trees. Of course, not every one will have survived, but most of them have and are in varying degrees of maturity. Many now flower and fruit every year, providing nectar and food for birds and mammals. The Wild Cherries are in flower now, and many others are showing flower buds.<br /></p><p>There were a few birds around - Blackbirds, Wood Pigeon, Sparrows (in the hedge) and possibly a Blackcap Warbler, but I could only hear it, not see it. There is also a Song Thrush which visits the old Bowling Green and may be nesting nearby.<br /></p><p>I also disturbed a tiny leaf beetle (Chrysolina bankii) with a beautiful copper shell and red legs and antennae. It feeds on plantain leaves.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasljAAhN6mfGNGxXIHDJj2iAXNAoMBa8iy_2rCa9zqDt2Vcj81JzABhcQlmmbTo1p5USdAGFcikhvlsjEJkJ3YGE24RVVDEyHe3itnsNAq-XTH8mJpIussxhCx4IjJin6Y_l2Qw04tTeIZf3XBU2j4TDyiJPRVVdSMoXkBjITYdydX2P0-fkdKAzx7A/s2707/chrysalina%20bankii%20april%2010%2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2461" data-original-width="2707" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasljAAhN6mfGNGxXIHDJj2iAXNAoMBa8iy_2rCa9zqDt2Vcj81JzABhcQlmmbTo1p5USdAGFcikhvlsjEJkJ3YGE24RVVDEyHe3itnsNAq-XTH8mJpIussxhCx4IjJin6Y_l2Qw04tTeIZf3XBU2j4TDyiJPRVVdSMoXkBjITYdydX2P0-fkdKAzx7A/s320/chrysalina%20bankii%20april%2010%2022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>While I was clearing grasses from the tree tubes, I found a tiny Cucumber Spider (<span>Araniella cucurbitina), the same species I found here last Spring</span>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2JnT50PRxp80R3j-rMkYgQ_MLJGi6y_RufP8hNaTQ-CGORY9kCVstZP5blaEOKHh8-Xo4pjX1ny17zjv2TvK3MKMxRbo0Vnkh9cN5kfgXYH2CbZrbOWED6GqRzUjnm4mKxgLqnVVWA43gSbCCEI0FAvpvHeqky7O4iXaFeDlP7cJ8Zy5cIxs3YYvsw/s1797/Cucumber%20Spider%20crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1781" data-original-width="1797" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2JnT50PRxp80R3j-rMkYgQ_MLJGi6y_RufP8hNaTQ-CGORY9kCVstZP5blaEOKHh8-Xo4pjX1ny17zjv2TvK3MKMxRbo0Vnkh9cN5kfgXYH2CbZrbOWED6GqRzUjnm4mKxgLqnVVWA43gSbCCEI0FAvpvHeqky7O4iXaFeDlP7cJ8Zy5cIxs3YYvsw/s320/Cucumber%20Spider%20crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The trees are coming into leaf now. I noticed that a few trees, such as this silver birch, that are growing among brambles along the fence are holding their own.</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmwioxXsihovT95wZK7Zyaknw0YmLyUeTUTNmDxiHRcfMZiqKPBRNd5iG4fJT1vr6CsBYr1M6MBJgv5-yCiRqs4rv9CXhBzy583PPL2tfuDPyvsxefUwYLhonlExmmqF8HHc4izjMCnDV79W67oZjnvBjtpoihPZ2QYk38HVSqmC_Ion0yeUWa-9omQ/s2757/IMG_20220410_213907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2757" data-original-width="2503" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmwioxXsihovT95wZK7Zyaknw0YmLyUeTUTNmDxiHRcfMZiqKPBRNd5iG4fJT1vr6CsBYr1M6MBJgv5-yCiRqs4rv9CXhBzy583PPL2tfuDPyvsxefUwYLhonlExmmqF8HHc4izjMCnDV79W67oZjnvBjtpoihPZ2QYk38HVSqmC_Ion0yeUWa-9omQ/s320/IMG_20220410_213907.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-3576073799848633572022-04-11T16:36:00.000+01:002022-04-11T16:36:29.389+01:00250 trees distributed to our local communities<p>On Saturday, we hosted a stall and gave away approximately 250 trees to people living in Winkleigh and surrounding parishes. These whips were given to us by The Woodland Trust for community distribution. <br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG-nx6fRLkulGE-aavHqJ_DePi09enw8wnG_CeztoB0QhzK_3y880LhSgC8kHsCcBxNvvRZ6sHY_OW-bpKaqRHgI47X7m2Y4j7Pw3QxUALCtO7HuN_8rwd7ZkqkUuZO6xye6nCvL4ipAOrF6fJN9XEAMTq7s0suL4x-IED3GobgQfUC12nr-ezg2M_w/s4160/IMG_20220409_113535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG-nx6fRLkulGE-aavHqJ_DePi09enw8wnG_CeztoB0QhzK_3y880LhSgC8kHsCcBxNvvRZ6sHY_OW-bpKaqRHgI47X7m2Y4j7Pw3QxUALCtO7HuN_8rwd7ZkqkUuZO6xye6nCvL4ipAOrF6fJN9XEAMTq7s0suL4x-IED3GobgQfUC12nr-ezg2M_w/s320/IMG_20220409_113535.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving away a bundle of trees<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p></p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXsDyQgx1dofT42bDkze9LwjhCIw1gMBzEJOcWsikvLjX2f8sWD56CjpodfS_TW3kUXrybantQ2dCPo6I3FkaQTVcHhJkYd3lFCSsfLasyIIaCNtnp25AUZO4t8VbELRoiOEUUQVVPbqPDm87XyWHC12-RZu1EKr3CVtTcBhCyfuecs7k8nbitHDQbA/s4160/IMG_20220317_155055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXsDyQgx1dofT42bDkze9LwjhCIw1gMBzEJOcWsikvLjX2f8sWD56CjpodfS_TW3kUXrybantQ2dCPo6I3FkaQTVcHhJkYd3lFCSsfLasyIIaCNtnp25AUZO4t8VbELRoiOEUUQVVPbqPDm87XyWHC12-RZu1EKr3CVtTcBhCyfuecs7k8nbitHDQbA/s320/IMG_20220317_155055.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees ready to go to the stall</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Everyone completed a short online form to register, and then collected
their trees from us on the morning. We are grateful for all the
generous donations made towards our activities. This will be mainly used to maintain the Biodiversity Area.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tH8gp4oTVmmtIz-Co42R8e_0PCiS_ejg2a4RPckjHGXou9pos7uSgh10DeQlCxCH4M_paLPzHtd7JcDBfJKE8BhQTztTvwgCt74aSouUjgfxtkw1vE7lNxXzFR9PdHNuor3MLiVZ-nkZ7n5_gVG96OcA3xW5qhhpOCVPrTOBFesaqxrBfyKbVg7mpQ/s500/Winkleigh%20Biodiversity%20Group.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tH8gp4oTVmmtIz-Co42R8e_0PCiS_ejg2a4RPckjHGXou9pos7uSgh10DeQlCxCH4M_paLPzHtd7JcDBfJKE8BhQTztTvwgCt74aSouUjgfxtkw1vE7lNxXzFR9PdHNuor3MLiVZ-nkZ7n5_gVG96OcA3xW5qhhpOCVPrTOBFesaqxrBfyKbVg7mpQ/s320/Winkleigh%20Biodiversity%20Group.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-52869209247208774612022-03-31T17:24:00.003+01:002022-05-27T19:43:23.451+01:00 New trees for Jubilee Wood for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOdyLhJGIxa5oPXxR0cnjsYHxYlKgEPJZmbc8q-7gwtPToq4mXXFK2yxJm4hGwsGsqbLfftWDLoqGf9ANxOnAyi1BuNI_eUqFsr_jOZ0dHv9XaXwiprxxATTc2vEykz1Dxb0Cp4JhcG_-bMcPtWWQqh82KpnjJ8Dhrr665NZiPS8aXbbMHUMiWwQmlQ/s1999/queens_platinum_jubilee_english_0smaller.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="1999" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOdyLhJGIxa5oPXxR0cnjsYHxYlKgEPJZmbc8q-7gwtPToq4mXXFK2yxJm4hGwsGsqbLfftWDLoqGf9ANxOnAyi1BuNI_eUqFsr_jOZ0dHv9XaXwiprxxATTc2vEykz1Dxb0Cp4JhcG_-bMcPtWWQqh82KpnjJ8Dhrr665NZiPS8aXbbMHUMiWwQmlQ/w139-h135/queens_platinum_jubilee_english_0smaller.png" width="139" /></a></p><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;">In the past few days, Aly and Kim met to plant some new trees in the Jubilee Wood, as part of the Sports Centre's plan to improve nature on the War Memorial Recreation Field site. </span></h4><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShP5Jv_-khA3kTbSXlAB6xTFszAx2eOjq2lXr2h6uH7Pw81_9-76FRTDrxQAqgJ8ZaOn-LozuIp27oFTogZl_8_kb2bCLV75fbaSnfz7C5S1zxQa1-zs5GqOpjRztq-PjPUw2tIgoP4EJgZTzPof3hwSSWqEOEzJo2rDGeTgjIFVLWt5PsgX3qOeq7g/s4160/trees2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShP5Jv_-khA3kTbSXlAB6xTFszAx2eOjq2lXr2h6uH7Pw81_9-76FRTDrxQAqgJ8ZaOn-LozuIp27oFTogZl_8_kb2bCLV75fbaSnfz7C5S1zxQa1-zs5GqOpjRztq-PjPUw2tIgoP4EJgZTzPof3hwSSWqEOEzJo2rDGeTgjIFVLWt5PsgX3qOeq7g/s320/trees2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small trees in rabbit spirals<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;">The trees were donated by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) as part of
their #IDigTrees campaign, funded by Ovo Energy customers.</span></h4><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h4><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;">They
include Oak, Silver Birch, Rowan, Beech, Hornbeam, Spindle and Goat
Willow. </span></h4></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8h72fo39gSWTHhEaNpemDdetLQqaf9chpbJxWAN9zDwkpITlkl_0FtvhDUQ5cZ6oi96vkaOicZXEv4Cjswj1pXLJnB9zRO1MkSTSP5lwaLPvfwr0CHQS_O2ey8AIjjki3YAfLnqaWVfRgsT4kv3BQhPcSmLCo6euC8WjxZXofabUx_rvl6HwzJZtlw/s4160/trees%201.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8h72fo39gSWTHhEaNpemDdetLQqaf9chpbJxWAN9zDwkpITlkl_0FtvhDUQ5cZ6oi96vkaOicZXEv4Cjswj1pXLJnB9zRO1MkSTSP5lwaLPvfwr0CHQS_O2ey8AIjjki3YAfLnqaWVfRgsT4kv3BQhPcSmLCo6euC8WjxZXofabUx_rvl6HwzJZtlw/s320/trees%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Altogether, we have now planted 32 trees, as we also have a "Landmark
Tree" given to our Parish by Saving Devon's Treescapes (Devon Wildlife
Trust).</p><p> </p><p>This has been planted as part of our Queen's Platinum
Jubilee "Green Canopy". <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPgC9-rIYaGUv9kjW4LLKyIBdeXH_wbSNBGgdLj5gh0sDNH2XnwhN4YcfieR4CBPikeGxRvWYqws-BcuPcHYam-KIdyAvTvLhXM_pO7o3HV1SvpElKZJqlU1QUqoQJqKDrv_2rq-1cw8eupdrUBNEt4KinvGhg7h-SpdDnLRmZ7GP4EdEQZ6pFwIBig/s4160/planting%20jubilee%20tree.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPgC9-rIYaGUv9kjW4LLKyIBdeXH_wbSNBGgdLj5gh0sDNH2XnwhN4YcfieR4CBPikeGxRvWYqws-BcuPcHYam-KIdyAvTvLhXM_pO7o3HV1SvpElKZJqlU1QUqoQJqKDrv_2rq-1cw8eupdrUBNEt4KinvGhg7h-SpdDnLRmZ7GP4EdEQZ6pFwIBig/s320/planting%20jubilee%20tree.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim during the planting<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p>After the planting we took a photo of Mike Wilson, who is Chair of the Winkleigh War Memorial Recreation Field Trustees with the Small-leaved Lime Tree.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSzDsykOW4mncEI9PCqalRJbRQIocZwL7NQ-LTN2JlBspeR7nygbNtVDyHS76XP_h4TfZ6WdZE3gDU6PrgyCC0x_lEfWOMK9q8taTkRKMD2RpioJ1_O4TPL7OKRghHlw8hEKLsJIj3u06FIFiBEVe4YD9bPQVEryZUujVtuALvmbxjtOFtl37ZaT_WA/s4160/mike.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSzDsykOW4mncEI9PCqalRJbRQIocZwL7NQ-LTN2JlBspeR7nygbNtVDyHS76XP_h4TfZ6WdZE3gDU6PrgyCC0x_lEfWOMK9q8taTkRKMD2RpioJ1_O4TPL7OKRghHlw8hEKLsJIj3u06FIFiBEVe4YD9bPQVEryZUujVtuALvmbxjtOFtl37ZaT_WA/s320/mike.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Spring flowers are showing in the wood, and the ferns are just starting to unfurl their leaves. There are primroses, greater stitchwort and celandine in flower. There will also be bluebells in the next month.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULCc87XGkREZE8t7RnMJirYt9SRVRkRW3pGOdQp7FLju50z7us-VNw5D8MLqw8W0rn6CJx-sckyOWgygZFPcOYS8BTu-dnHfrKr4gU5tOQTmDzGnwf6my9lBelsXR_SfTj6lt5tNnd0JbOxPAyFAAXFi1hAmyLyetbeG-uAcBYYpYFkXSujd9KG9RBw/s4160/primroses%20jub%20wood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULCc87XGkREZE8t7RnMJirYt9SRVRkRW3pGOdQp7FLju50z7us-VNw5D8MLqw8W0rn6CJx-sckyOWgygZFPcOYS8BTu-dnHfrKr4gU5tOQTmDzGnwf6my9lBelsXR_SfTj6lt5tNnd0JbOxPAyFAAXFi1hAmyLyetbeG-uAcBYYpYFkXSujd9KG9RBw/s320/primroses%20jub%20wood.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primroses</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLblYqxlHDBbGNSl3nEMM3Mt8acWsX7cgNSSQzCZfo4bue7wwrG3229O8KGyOkijTtEmgYahHbA1QGJL15WM7XWsdBkP0S64hcfOD4LkNHpy0ix36CKqi0XwdJoMMaJ5GRvKpSeLrxFzV1ND9IBrv2988oOWvmwrJa5GlVEpTNASLNU1S7v0n8eOoXA/s4160/greater%20stitchwort%2027%20mar%2022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLblYqxlHDBbGNSl3nEMM3Mt8acWsX7cgNSSQzCZfo4bue7wwrG3229O8KGyOkijTtEmgYahHbA1QGJL15WM7XWsdBkP0S64hcfOD4LkNHpy0ix36CKqi0XwdJoMMaJ5GRvKpSeLrxFzV1ND9IBrv2988oOWvmwrJa5GlVEpTNASLNU1S7v0n8eOoXA/s320/greater%20stitchwort%2027%20mar%2022.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Stitchwort<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHegs01V38wa7FWusZvpDPfl6D9IF2PCEruWYZXXMvSrfJYN3HXPaQhW-vEz2U_17Qi0i8Fhahcp3pjK-W0kKi4OZOD632U6rK6ieMMwKhE_CL-YaEfg02-ttOLcXb0TaG-qk5FRKUsSDu5GMJWBRwdsEzfRrGaEKKQeL6hqkoxUhUuXuslAQiFXYjA/s4160/oak.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHegs01V38wa7FWusZvpDPfl6D9IF2PCEruWYZXXMvSrfJYN3HXPaQhW-vEz2U_17Qi0i8Fhahcp3pjK-W0kKi4OZOD632U6rK6ieMMwKhE_CL-YaEfg02-ttOLcXb0TaG-qk5FRKUsSDu5GMJWBRwdsEzfRrGaEKKQeL6hqkoxUhUuXuslAQiFXYjA/s320/oak.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely mature oak tree<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-74129579301427772632022-03-16T16:30:00.000+00:002022-03-16T16:30:36.961+00:00Jubilee Wood - WinkleighSycamore and Ash trees were planted in Jubilee Wood, Winkleigh for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. Over the past 45 years they have grown up to mature trees. Sadly, upon inspection, it was found that most of the Ash trees had the air-borne fungal disease Ash Dieback and so the decision was made to cut them down before they presented any danger from falling limbs. It is estimated that Ash Dieback will kill 90% of Devon's Ash trees in the coming years. Devon Wildlife Trust's advice is to leave the trunks upright, so that they may become hosts for insects and provide food or nesting sites for woodpeckers. In the photo you will see some of those which were truncated. Two of them have nest-boxes which were provided and installed by Winkleigh Environment Group. There are still several Sycamores and young Hazel, Hawthorn and Oak in the wood.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtyXhLFM7I1bvshtvqVRwyzutRbwex55Z1p-SMfP7_fRPTRe7eZaqcA6OXATCsBzytbYk47JXX7_Lu-BKBxVLsUbwKJ_a8NBbf_71Ra6FxXxls7RxBEdoygkJU1mujAEU1f8X0PMprRWsdQrhCybQSok5sDspWS2g4UnyRbX22wbP8fPoCPouOMajLfw=s4160" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtyXhLFM7I1bvshtvqVRwyzutRbwex55Z1p-SMfP7_fRPTRe7eZaqcA6OXATCsBzytbYk47JXX7_Lu-BKBxVLsUbwKJ_a8NBbf_71Ra6FxXxls7RxBEdoygkJU1mujAEU1f8X0PMprRWsdQrhCybQSok5sDspWS2g4UnyRbX22wbP8fPoCPouOMajLfw=s320" /></a></div>
On these mature trees are a lot of lichen, including Pepperpot Lichen, Lecanora chlarotera, and Graphis scripta. I have submitted these records to Saving Devon's Treescapes Project. There are also primroses and a few bluebells within the wood. There are plans to plant additional trees within the boundary, as part of the Queens Jubilee Green Canopy.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLSpSuj6rkqSwb5HpBDTJreeoWaTnIhGtVzlbmnML_q7rfnEtucjNzOX0V9ject56dQzukak2aauxi9oKhn3owxbDeVYkPeBaZE1bvW6_0QWY3_tdn_PP3GwDPrfvDSCah3o_jln6r9FqdvOiQnwtx5eKHCuNgkMKSFUmFhtLyA1heWAaykS6EqJsdVQ=s1968" style="clear: right; display: block; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1917" data-original-width="1968" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLSpSuj6rkqSwb5HpBDTJreeoWaTnIhGtVzlbmnML_q7rfnEtucjNzOX0V9ject56dQzukak2aauxi9oKhn3owxbDeVYkPeBaZE1bvW6_0QWY3_tdn_PP3GwDPrfvDSCah3o_jln6r9FqdvOiQnwtx5eKHCuNgkMKSFUmFhtLyA1heWAaykS6EqJsdVQ=s320" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrsSO7fPXuMDWLMaqgY29dUYRuIANWU6tf400YzOd6i0XJ7HHep6RdJ-EXENnhXbjbeWTon6h4M3yzH5_15tW0xYgV7aoyI_jWJPQZMn28FImzgLyGzdzQIW_o80-9_9kJtVPr9uZg3qEAvDzt_S3-2kqGfDpHce9I2g6uRtjulFOfJo1Aq37QvHJlZg=s2955" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2351" data-original-width="2955" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrsSO7fPXuMDWLMaqgY29dUYRuIANWU6tf400YzOd6i0XJ7HHep6RdJ-EXENnhXbjbeWTon6h4M3yzH5_15tW0xYgV7aoyI_jWJPQZMn28FImzgLyGzdzQIW_o80-9_9kJtVPr9uZg3qEAvDzt_S3-2kqGfDpHce9I2g6uRtjulFOfJo1Aq37QvHJlZg=s320" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUZ58y6qTsPUpbDrEV3Ad6JWpNxVySwa0V4uMNRmdr0aysVpIxrO5ldfZl6usyD3SSMhh7ULXcwlWGtb0qFn0rCOpPKrNiyF2Im1ZALPq-xGxoJA_lEuXFpSfybnWoUS7GjV6MqN8NQTLE82mIQUy1n1hTQCqoEbu4VTS-VXwSHNOeCSkXm58L9RDpcA=s4160" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUZ58y6qTsPUpbDrEV3Ad6JWpNxVySwa0V4uMNRmdr0aysVpIxrO5ldfZl6usyD3SSMhh7ULXcwlWGtb0qFn0rCOpPKrNiyF2Im1ZALPq-xGxoJA_lEuXFpSfybnWoUS7GjV6MqN8NQTLE82mIQUy1n1hTQCqoEbu4VTS-VXwSHNOeCSkXm58L9RDpcA=s320" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-46675499201186632132022-03-16T15:21:00.002+00:002022-03-16T16:41:03.911+00:00Winter Winds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhJU-PdbWXExRITS25On1wcedpUfl7C4FrJKJvy_rpTuquqlbO0CohlzpNSrHUGvS50DzoIL8nmrmcPcsimqgjZZ0vtwE4Pni-42VmlcybZX2OsSb90pbEsbB34v-RC25GzeeXSxCejWtsry7MLMpjv4f3CfR-lgK7DxJITaFCHfwZw4JNfiFRV37fNg=s4160" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhJU-PdbWXExRITS25On1wcedpUfl7C4FrJKJvy_rpTuquqlbO0CohlzpNSrHUGvS50DzoIL8nmrmcPcsimqgjZZ0vtwE4Pni-42VmlcybZX2OsSb90pbEsbB34v-RC25GzeeXSxCejWtsry7MLMpjv4f3CfR-lgK7DxJITaFCHfwZw4JNfiFRV37fNg=s320" width="320" /></a><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgziJyRxDrfO5KdlQPTcoPB34x8URHmhg3jDcO4w9c0EoAvcRmcqhOPkpHVzutoZ068pjJolvbfCp5LPSzdlUwjz4TOCIUKHYJBN3pKr9gLjV6pSB-mVd2jpO9E0GzPuB6frrT_tqi2aq1PNLFAteOhd1d4Fu67fVkqYPkc8WLeHEH6Usr4H1W_4T_XGg=s320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This week involved some tidying up of tree tubes and spirals, which were
probably blown out of the ground by the twin Storms Eunice and
Franklin. We had planted another 50 native tree seedlings during
December and they certainly had been rocked around by the wind. Most
have survived the winter and just needed stamping back into the ground.
These trees were given to us by The Conservation Volunteers, funded by
Ovo Energy. This year some of them were planted along the hedge in the
Allotments to provide wind-protection.</div>
Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-23706230263370385302021-05-28T22:32:00.000+01:002021-05-28T22:32:01.484+01:00Spring Tidy-up Work PartyA few of us gathered this week to check the smaller trees and replace canes or rabbit spirals, where they were absent or broken. Some of the larger trees needed their protectors removed, as they had grown big enough. On Monday, Kim and Emily met up and braved the showers to work on the trees along the boundary fence. After the dry April, the very wet May has caused everything to grow very fast. The hawthorn, rowan and whitebeam are now all in flower.
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On Wednesday, Penny and Kim were joined by Euan, who is volunteering in conservation work as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award. Euan was clearing away branches from some hedge-cutting along the ditch, to allow us to mow the paths.
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We were pleased to see some Spring flowers - red campion, welsh poppy and garlic mustard. We also caught sight of a couple of Field Voles and Lizards darting out of sight. The Spring has been cool so far this year, and there were no butterflies on the wing, but we did find some caterpillars of the Peacock butterfly in their web on some stinging nettles.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzTyaKTKR82S8OGEmyP18jGkGXG0NzRbVtVk0FKtXiM1rjJYR2u92h8BoOg1_qC50Ki_V0d-F7nAljtjxZQZ-rpdkhCkvW1031EjqL2FWF5GLZ9mYyfnNLwT28n_dQ30n9uLVO5MKMOLz/s2048/peacock+cats.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzTyaKTKR82S8OGEmyP18jGkGXG0NzRbVtVk0FKtXiM1rjJYR2u92h8BoOg1_qC50Ki_V0d-F7nAljtjxZQZ-rpdkhCkvW1031EjqL2FWF5GLZ9mYyfnNLwT28n_dQ30n9uLVO5MKMOLz/s400/peacock+cats.jpg"/></a></div>
Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-10463804458220614032021-05-18T12:38:00.001+01:002022-04-11T18:18:57.054+01:00Spring - signs of new lifeThis Spring has been a chilly one, with the coldest April for 60 years, so things are coming out more slowly than last year. Nevertheless, the Mound is beginning to show plenty of blossom on the trees and shrubs. The Cherry blossom is over and there are tiny cherries appearing already. Summer food for the birds and small mammals.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBEM_bzGKY4E1XzBvCG25MdQVQi6iHWDV8d-sRJLZNpSPYITdQ4f_QEOqSqWh0LOqJ6O2UaTJu2UxdV-rcb_ah_c9jYi9v-Aii9TC5SZuB6UcvFx-uZXT-lAS_W0PwyTcHWtnQk3o01P6/s2048/Cherries.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBEM_bzGKY4E1XzBvCG25MdQVQi6iHWDV8d-sRJLZNpSPYITdQ4f_QEOqSqWh0LOqJ6O2UaTJu2UxdV-rcb_ah_c9jYi9v-Aii9TC5SZuB6UcvFx-uZXT-lAS_W0PwyTcHWtnQk3o01P6/s320/Cherries.jpg" /></a></div>
There are flowers on the Crab Apples, Rowan, Hawthorn and Holly, providing nectar and pollen for pollinating insects.
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On my latest visit yesterday, I encountered plenty of flying insects and a pretty little Spider called a Cucumber Green Orb Spider <span>(Araniella cucurbitina)</span> settled on the leaf of an Alder Buckthorn.
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There was also a colourful Drinker Moth caterpillar here.
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The grasses have also started to flower, including the fragrant Sweet Vernal Grass and Timothy Grass. There are also some Garlic Mustard plants flowering now alongside Red Campion in the damper parts. Garlic Mustard is the caterpillar foodplant for the Green-veined White butterfly, so we hope for some this Summer.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbTcgRQcI7Hx-0a0EHAodScSwomAU9qqdvF71c7RhnyCCtdsy5xaOEulUxd41zonmlztCV-6FKwKl-E9tcOHIu9NOm1Lundr_ywr5ZzVomhfLeLL-860wggsjXMOdnooKUkG6rGMYexDt/s2048/Garlic+Mustard.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1827" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbTcgRQcI7Hx-0a0EHAodScSwomAU9qqdvF71c7RhnyCCtdsy5xaOEulUxd41zonmlztCV-6FKwKl-E9tcOHIu9NOm1Lundr_ywr5ZzVomhfLeLL-860wggsjXMOdnooKUkG6rGMYexDt/s320/Garlic+Mustard.jpg" /></a></div>
Our first planned tidy-up was rained off last week, unfortunately, but we are planning another one soon. We are always looking for volunteers. Some of the canes and spirals need to be removed or replaced. We have also had our first noticeable deer damage to the bark of a couple of trees. This is pretty unavoidable given our proximity to Winkleigh Woods, but I hope not too much damage will be done.Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-72513771846092792452021-02-03T22:02:00.002+00:002021-02-03T22:25:49.125+00:00Winter signs of lifeThe other day I went to have a look around at the site, to see what I could discover of the wildlife living on The Mound. I found signs in the long grasses of animals having passed through or sheltering there. For example, there was a tunnel of grass leading through the wire fence, which could have been made by a hedgehog or a badger.
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There was a little round hole, indicating a tunnel made in the grass by a vole, a pile of snail shells nibbled from the spiral end, which is usually the sign of Bank Voles and a pile of green droppings, characteristic of Field Voles, because their main diet is grass.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhro8iMMFbC3Jf1bhFS-hMIUEdMMIF0vmW7l-jZbylrojwz6NXXe9RcLBKTQMGKH90B4FXSbeblpoT79TCO5NkjRTZ54L49-owkC5Rztmwa1SgbgpqEdB0THSEC93NKaNzEW8gKKbAQsg8J/s2048/vole+hole.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhro8iMMFbC3Jf1bhFS-hMIUEdMMIF0vmW7l-jZbylrojwz6NXXe9RcLBKTQMGKH90B4FXSbeblpoT79TCO5NkjRTZ54L49-owkC5Rztmwa1SgbgpqEdB0THSEC93NKaNzEW8gKKbAQsg8J/s320/vole+hole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_c2FPSKwlS6zKU98_lSJzHZBdxXsmndQBC6Q8ykqot_lN134fxww2mZAfN1fZLxd77JO3ekyspTOtRPMZaELwYgyKOaD4eo15QQ26W9lTpnmf-MhsP98dRZqqxeZ3FS2xqDydidC_4BzX/s2048/vole+cafe.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_c2FPSKwlS6zKU98_lSJzHZBdxXsmndQBC6Q8ykqot_lN134fxww2mZAfN1fZLxd77JO3ekyspTOtRPMZaELwYgyKOaD4eo15QQ26W9lTpnmf-MhsP98dRZqqxeZ3FS2xqDydidC_4BzX/s320/vole+cafe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkNbIdua6luUrYlGhkCreVO-jaeDttUH91Zl5BUlmAHlGJ-tqb6lXfnQ0dYQ_VcJrXHi8WRF2EX9xWu8jEYfpxTtEp0xh3rW5OIXq1MknUdGuVK3T4xhOBXs3ETjKX2cW2_7pJlmxLlX9/s2048/vole+droppings.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkNbIdua6luUrYlGhkCreVO-jaeDttUH91Zl5BUlmAHlGJ-tqb6lXfnQ0dYQ_VcJrXHi8WRF2EX9xWu8jEYfpxTtEp0xh3rW5OIXq1MknUdGuVK3T4xhOBXs3ETjKX2cW2_7pJlmxLlX9/s320/vole+droppings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>
Bank and Field Voles are one of the main sources of food for Tawny and Barn Owls.</p><p>Our area also provides a home for many insects, some of the more attractive ones having already been pictured on this blog. I found two galls, pictured below - an Oak Marble Gall and a Thistle Stem Gall which provide a nest for the larvae of specific insects (<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Andricus kollari </i>and</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span><i> Urophora cardui). </i>Insects feed birds and bats, and some smaller mammals.<i><br /></i></span></span></p><p>. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5JTqmk73V7OawHrAOhnrS2metSkEGgeqnezmfAlxcG0Tcs8act8QEwERRvTjcKTq1XQKnEc928EwqZikpMoQgpu-fleBie50bb2wpSSTCQoJ7cfh2Feeqn02cbAhTEE6x9qRIPtzC-Zu/s2048/marble+gall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5JTqmk73V7OawHrAOhnrS2metSkEGgeqnezmfAlxcG0Tcs8act8QEwERRvTjcKTq1XQKnEc928EwqZikpMoQgpu-fleBie50bb2wpSSTCQoJ7cfh2Feeqn02cbAhTEE6x9qRIPtzC-Zu/s320/marble+gall.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8hNwbQgsqHJuYIOfZbr6ptMKaR4qFIZNr6xQWR7nMrPuS3aqusp7ryt4ioL1Vx6XkF3w5bbWzcm37cb4Go_1dpPpAAGGFCrznX6EqM3yeTySuCZLQVOwycWUOr0H1Ua3Jnpzjzl7KwXA/s2048/thistle+gall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8hNwbQgsqHJuYIOfZbr6ptMKaR4qFIZNr6xQWR7nMrPuS3aqusp7ryt4ioL1Vx6XkF3w5bbWzcm37cb4Go_1dpPpAAGGFCrznX6EqM3yeTySuCZLQVOwycWUOr0H1Ua3Jnpzjzl7KwXA/s320/thistle+gall.jpg" /></a></div><p>In addition, the tall hollow stems of Common Hogweed have provided protection for the larvae of a fly or wasp, shown by the holes bored to let them out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXLPYNx2eNQY8I0P5CUT7H0NPbNCDimpQZQmB4Wvhk4fCkzYX-N06tRZVyNH3cc5EKUfGg9evjavkdpw2StDvQUBA4fdn45RteyRUEWO__slrLbDkyIWEfrlW5088AseDOM9h-d6DOIGs/s2048/insect+hole.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXLPYNx2eNQY8I0P5CUT7H0NPbNCDimpQZQmB4Wvhk4fCkzYX-N06tRZVyNH3cc5EKUfGg9evjavkdpw2StDvQUBA4fdn45RteyRUEWO__slrLbDkyIWEfrlW5088AseDOM9h-d6DOIGs/s320/insect+hole.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>So, even in mid-Winter, there are signs of life all around The Mound.<br /></p><p></p>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740436773743727058.post-26292523536768626682021-01-10T16:44:00.000+00:002021-01-10T16:44:08.405+00:00More native trees whips added to the spiral hedgerow<p><br /></p><p><b>#IDigTrees - Over 1 million trees. And growing...</b><b><b>December 2020</b></b></p><p>Despite the restrictions on meeting up during the Covid-19 pandemic, we successfully managed to plant all 100 young trees donated to us by The Conservation Volunteers (<b>IDigTrees</b> Project) which is funded by Ovo Energy. <br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6jlwxkmfpJ81kjwIDt9fhsGz1iR_aY2BoD4BCm0aH_MS4ChUkP48A2cD4OR3AjkyPtLUIK9FiuVHNAIi5y7SBvBbGf0DqMIqgC-TS4DtVUVIe17Cxbf1Lu5YL4_Xeg-RXXhx60sQ85LK/s2048/Kim+Tree+Planting+Dec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6jlwxkmfpJ81kjwIDt9fhsGz1iR_aY2BoD4BCm0aH_MS4ChUkP48A2cD4OR3AjkyPtLUIK9FiuVHNAIi5y7SBvBbGf0DqMIqgC-TS4DtVUVIe17Cxbf1Lu5YL4_Xeg-RXXhx60sQ85LK/s320/Kim+Tree+Planting+Dec.jpg" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim - "Chief Organiser"</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p>Included in the packs were: Oak, Alder, Beech, Silver Birch and Hornbeam (10 of each) and Rowan, Bird Cherry, Hazel, Crab Apple and Grey Willow (10 of each). We have not planted Alder or Green Beech on the site before, so this adds to our biodiversity. <br /></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLnBk5Djz85eooCh1SfaaqMlRis4srmFQ0WScS4CvXGNRKwjKHyEYY2YKjwVpeq1JBz2de9cd06rfil4QiYbg55bYvrm91BxJy8X0qWTPK9Xur0bAgSOBjE4Aaa5Uqtq1_UgV9su3F1Sv/s2048/DD+at+trees+13+dec+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLnBk5Djz85eooCh1SfaaqMlRis4srmFQ0WScS4CvXGNRKwjKHyEYY2YKjwVpeq1JBz2de9cd06rfil4QiYbg55bYvrm91BxJy8X0qWTPK9Xur0bAgSOBjE4Aaa5Uqtq1_UgV9su3F1Sv/s320/DD+at+trees+13+dec+20.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRQr96h8SwDt8OXlziQgzQy7FwoMQJBpHmG3yPB7SNVAF4a3A-qf1uRLwStOBnu40QsEPUR9pWfrKsRVSBpKehPzm-DaaWwcYHv8C1ihb7U5tEFPPW4DRfdysuvkIglrfACTIb8QjdMv5/s2048/Matt+Trees+13+Dec+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRQr96h8SwDt8OXlziQgzQy7FwoMQJBpHmG3yPB7SNVAF4a3A-qf1uRLwStOBnu40QsEPUR9pWfrKsRVSBpKehPzm-DaaWwcYHv8C1ihb7U5tEFPPW4DRfdysuvkIglrfACTIb8QjdMv5/s320/Matt+Trees+13+Dec+20.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><br /><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJgQI3CT0D8qqEDBldpMMWD9SochjlsMXaY09II-raUN2ZVsL27SnZuUPFsoOkZKaVXU5I2QFMBtZlkTAQQHxj4upQ7EHzX9wqgDH2181bMgbwYy4SpnadG44RTeJK0VucPJVBxerwb-Y/s2048/Charlie+Tree+planting+Dec+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJgQI3CT0D8qqEDBldpMMWD9SochjlsMXaY09II-raUN2ZVsL27SnZuUPFsoOkZKaVXU5I2QFMBtZlkTAQQHxj4upQ7EHzX9wqgDH2181bMgbwYy4SpnadG44RTeJK0VucPJVBxerwb-Y/s320/Charlie+Tree+planting+Dec+20.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p>Six volunteers met up on four separate occasions in December, with two or three people working together on one occasion, to keep within the Government guidelines on meeting outdoors and keeping a safe distance.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpo87Bn_rjbni1-sdUnqoWCXWQKCBfDL0M9eqIswjfHRPOCZbn20ovCHzxrE6TZXGbcLc4FrlFbj8543pkWE__cdJY4MTyq7Av6eZsDD3Z-SbamigHDlUKiNLbb9vlkGJ2D62OxarzxKM/s2048/vicki+dec+20+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpo87Bn_rjbni1-sdUnqoWCXWQKCBfDL0M9eqIswjfHRPOCZbn20ovCHzxrE6TZXGbcLc4FrlFbj8543pkWE__cdJY4MTyq7Av6eZsDD3Z-SbamigHDlUKiNLbb9vlkGJ2D62OxarzxKM/s320/vicki+dec+20+trees.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vicki</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHl8l87OcvfMpQ_uhim_K2LVsb-g6meGcw39R4n1HH5WGy9psw1ADi4eNLluap7PbBSRxgN3FNeG8ijPTuE7iaPksVPAdMeT-30x-n64zC1YIv58D8hXnZcgHGzTe2ExWn9vb2KOHm1WY/s2048/kim+Trees+13+Dec+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHl8l87OcvfMpQ_uhim_K2LVsb-g6meGcw39R4n1HH5WGy9psw1ADi4eNLluap7PbBSRxgN3FNeG8ijPTuE7iaPksVPAdMeT-30x-n64zC1YIv58D8hXnZcgHGzTe2ExWn9vb2KOHm1WY/s320/kim+Trees+13+Dec+20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim - again<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGGnGpT8W2bgXq2-YPcHMO3w6OwsDtuSrpNu3LQCKevcrwwAcCBqgCNKEAV2lngsewgdf80CPcgGC3VAySa3sN8aFznO273X8SOvOCRme0ZWXUBkDu-zEsDL9cwMUfx-glDEgfI9dhl9U/s2048/deve+t+trees+dec+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGGnGpT8W2bgXq2-YPcHMO3w6OwsDtuSrpNu3LQCKevcrwwAcCBqgCNKEAV2lngsewgdf80CPcgGC3VAySa3sN8aFznO273X8SOvOCRme0ZWXUBkDu-zEsDL9cwMUfx-glDEgfI9dhl9U/s320/deve+t+trees+dec+20.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoUOorKH6307qpDqzga5o6Ix7oSiSZ6ZKcFf09FTcmJFqvkLLrehC7dOqZcFKyRyurZRMVsQWgY3w_kaKcT7lbMgJ206kZe-Fq43JHsfMOf5t0y9O-SDs89-iSGJZUVnDY7_3dyFm_NLy/s2048/K+trees+13+dec+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoUOorKH6307qpDqzga5o6Ix7oSiSZ6ZKcFf09FTcmJFqvkLLrehC7dOqZcFKyRyurZRMVsQWgY3w_kaKcT7lbMgJ206kZe-Fq43JHsfMOf5t0y9O-SDs89-iSGJZUVnDY7_3dyFm_NLy/s320/K+trees+13+dec+20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim admiring the 2012 Cherry Tree</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wild about Winkleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17584962091846165297noreply@blogger.com0