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Work parties
Please meet the leader in the car park, on Sunday morning at 10am.
December 13th
Read more here
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Hornets at the nest.
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Sunday November 8th - A record 24 volunteers came out today. We split into 2 groups, one continued
in the coppice plot by 5 acre field, while the other made a start on an area near the pond. We saw quite a few different fungi, probably helped by the recent
wet and warm weather.
Sunday October 11th - The day started dry but contrary to all weather forecasts, a fine, misty rain set in and lasted until
we'd finished work, easing off as we got back to the car park!
We cut an area of Hazel near the boardwalk to let in more light to the riverbank, and finished coppicing a
water's edge Sallow left from last time. We then made a start on the area of coppice begun last winter. A Muntjac was seen in the ride near the pond.
Sunday September 20th - Today we removed Reedmace and Sedge from the pond in Park Wood, and cut back
clumps of Sallow along the riverbank to let more light onto the bank. It was a warm day and very quiet with little wildlife seen, though we were treated to beautiful
singing from a Blackcap as we ate our lunch by the bridge.
Sunday August 9th - A deceptively warm morning which we spent pulling Ragwort and cutting Poplar suckers
in 5 acre field. We also completed felling some Sycamore along the riverbank which was left over from last time, and cleared an overgrown ride in Park Wood. Lots of butterflies
in 5 acre including many Common Blues, Painted Lady, Brown Argus and one Small Tortoiseshell.

lunchtime May 10th.
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Anne's Notes
October 25th
- Signs of autumn very noticeable now with the leaves of Oak, Hazel, Cherry and Hawthorn changing colour. We saw a few last flowers of bramble, Comfrey and thistle,
and also next years catkins well formed on Hazel. A couple of Buzzards few over the extension fields. The cattle have been moved to River meadow. The sheep grazing in Arable field, still seem to prefer
the north-east corner close to 5 acre.
Looking across Barton's field in October.
October 6th
- On a brief walk round with the Reserves Manager, Andy Phillips, we saw the contractor's sheep now grazing the arable field,
and also the assortment of Hereford cross & British White cattle which are now having the run of all the extension fields except River meadow,
where they will be moved to shortly.
August 27th
- A warm, sunny afternoon. Take care at the reserve entrance as there are Hornets coming and going to a nest in the Horse Chestnut tree.
Otherwise very quiet apart from a few Speckled Woods & Whites and a lot of Hoverflies on Angelica flowers.

Hay cut in Barton's field.
August 16th
- The hay has been cut and turned with some already baled. This morning the contractor arrived to finish and remove the bales. The cattle
will be moving into Cottage field after this is done. Field margins have been left uncut for invertebrates, and in the broad areas left in 5 acre,
Roesel's bush-cricket and butterflies including Small Copper, Painted Lady and Common Blue were to be seen. Although there are few flowers in the rides now,
we did see one female Silver-washed Fritillary in Park Wood.
July 19th
- We took an anti-clockwise route today. The cattle are doing a good job - still in Wigley field. The other meadows (except Barton's)
are to be cut soon but even in the dull weather were covered with butterflies. A Kestrel was hunting in Barton's field and perching
in a dead Oak tree. We saw 3 Silver-washed Fritillaries in the recent coppice plots feeding on Marsh & Spear thistles and Water Mint.
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