Long Shadows

There is always plenty of work to do at Foxglove and the staff and Tuesday volunteers were out strimming, raking and burning.  The bright and at times warm sunshine cast long shadows across the ground.

Once the 'strimmers' had finished strimming the cut vegetation was raked into piles before being loaded into wheelbarrows and taken to the fire.  This area is one of the places where the Early Purple Orchids flower in late April to early May.  The stronger growing vegetation, Brambles and grasses, would out compete the orchids, so the area must be cut.  If the cuttings were left, the soil would be enriched and probably some of the Bramble cuttings would root and grow!

The camera man ensured he was also in the photo!

Carla had a break from her bird ringing data and helped Alex clear an area that had been cut.

Brian was on fire duty and kept an eye on a small, neat fire.

A photograph of some of the volunteers.  Again the long shadow of the photographer was included.

Many thanks to all the volunteers involved today.  We really appreciate all your hard work, so will the orchids.