Hay, Heather and Another New Discovery

To promote regeneration of wildflowers on the meadow the area is cut annually. This year the cutting was carried out by a local farmer with his tractor and grass topper. Team Tuesday then stepped in to rake all of the grass up.

This was hard work but great exercise!

In no time at all a giant haystack had been created.

Students from the Dales School helped to finish the task off before lunchtime.

A good way to learn about the workplace and different jobs.

Whitfield Benson (photographer) took photographs to be used in the updating of the Foxglove leaflets.

After lunch volunteers began the never ending (but very important) task of weeding out the heathland.

Amongst the heather a new species was discovered. This tiny ladybird only 4mm long is called the Heather ladybird Chilocorus 2-pustulatus. This species is black with 2-6 red spots in a central transverse line and overwinters in evergreen foliage such as Gorse and conifers. Although found locally in England and Wales this species is in decline.

It was photographed on a willow leaf to give some idea of scale.

Thanks to Pat and Glennis there is a new quiz out today, the theme is 'Villages of North Yorkshire'. Question sheets are now available from the Field Centre for £1 each. There are plenty of winter events in the pipeline. The first of the Winter Worky days will be on the 9th November, please book in advance to help with catering. See the events section for further details.