Raking and Aching

It was a fairly calendar clear day on the reserve today which enabled us to tick a few jobs off the ever growing job list. While Jennifer checked the locations of our bat boxes for a bat survey next week , Stacey and myself took the ATV and trailer onto the patch of grass above Plovers Pool to rake off the grass we had rowed up yesterday. This was a long, tiring and laborious task, and had us reflecting on by- gone-days when the hay cut was always cleared with the use of rakes.

We were pleased to still have the 40 Swaledale Sheep on the Moorland, and they appeared fairly content with the new grazing we had provided.

Whilst wandering over the top moor I found these mating slugs. Slugs are hermaphrodites, having both male and female reproductive organs. They can reproduce without mating, but it was interesting to see these two entwined. I believe these are Arion rufus or Red Slugs. The slug on the left is showing its breathing hole.

There are still a fair few flowers about, but some are looking passed their best. Numerous Bumblebees sat sluggishly on the Scabious, their season is also closing. This one is a Miner Bumblebee.

A young person who attended the site recently wanted fellow young birders to check out a birding site which he found of use http://www.homeadvisor.com/r/birdwatching-guide/

For all you natural history photographers, check out the events page on this site for our photography competition.