Red and Gold

Whilst out on the reserve today I couldn’t help but think how nice it was looking. With autumn on its way, the grasses and trees are starting to lose their vibrant green colour, and instead the colours of autumn are starting to show themselves. The flower meadow is now golden.

We hope to get it cut in the next few days. After this, the grass from it will have to be raked up and removed. If we allow it to rot down, the nutrient content of the soil will increase and the grasses will then take over, reducing the number of wild flowers. Keeping it nutrient-poor is the key to keeping it looking so pretty.

In the Orchard, the apples are adding a splash of colour to the scene. These trees are only a few years old. Last year the orchard produced a grand total of one apple- this year it is great to see some of the trees laden with quite large fruit.

Some of these will be removed to feed the water voles later in the year; others will be left to fall to feed the mice and other small mammals.

The Rowan berries are also ripening well, and make a good show of colour at the back of the scrapes.