Trees are growing well

The small trees donated by the Woodland Trust have nearly all survived the winter, despite some of the tree guards being knocked over by sheep.  On June 11th we went up to the Playing Fields to pull out some of the tall grasses and nettles growing around each tree.  We have plans for more tree planting this autumn on The Mound behind the Sports Centre.  Meanwhile volunteers will visit regularly to keep a space around each young tree free from weeds.

Here are some of our cheerful band of volunteers:

There is a large amount of Lady's Smock in flower at the moment, food plant for the Orange Tip butterfly.

We also found a mouse nest in the grass in April.  Could it be a harvest mouse?

We checked with someone who knows, and yes - it is a harvest mouse nest.  This is what she said:

"Hey, that is definitely a harvest mouse nest, so that is very good news!  The mice make several of these nests for sleeping, resting and rearing young.  They are usually 30 -60 cm above ground, attached to several grass stems.  Brilliant find!  I'm surprised any mice have survived the very cold winter we've had.  I think we just need to make sure there is plenty of long grass for them."

The website of the People's Trust for Endangered Species says that harvest mouse numbers have declined up to 70% in the past 30 years.

Harvest mice, or at least their distinctive round nests among tall grass were once a common sight in the British countryside. But in just 30 years, harvest mouse numbers appear to have decreased by as much as 70% - See more at: http://www.ptes.org/index.php?news=196#sthash.gx2FyrIn.dpuf

Harvest mice, or at least their distinctive round nests among tall grass were once a common sight in the British countryside. But in just 30 years, harvest mouse numbers appear to have decreased by as much as 70% - See more at: http://www.ptes.org/index.php?news=196#sthash.gx2FyrIn.dpuf

In April we also planted six Alder Buckthorn trees, which provide food for the caterpillars of the Brimstone butterfly.