Wetlands and Wheelbarrows

The wind did not help at all with the jobs outside today, at least it was dry, but as always the Thursday volunteers just got on without complaint.

The entire team worked together dealing with the Wetland water levels and discovering an inflow problem, a blocked filter at the source , but also water was going around the sluice confusing the issue. Mike and John spent the afternoon dealing with this and thankfully solved the issue.

The water for the Wetland and the Scrapes ( pond dipping platform ), is distributed from the above area, which is a natural water spring, and as mentioned before the lack of nitrates and phosphates and the purity of this source is certainly beneficial to our site.

Peter and Tony having cleared various drainage pipes then fixed a few wheelbarrows in the workshop, new tyres/innertubes…. it seems strange to be thinking of preparations for our Winter Worky Days, but as I look around the reserve the Orchids have gone over and the nettles are beginning to go yellow in places.

Whilst strimming this afternoon we get to check over the reserve and see what and where the next weeks jobs are priority. It looks like the Heath will be a major job, clearing more unwanted shrubs like Willow, Birch and Gorse from taking over.

The Ling heather on the heath is in full bloom, and the various flying bugs were making the most of them. This Honey Bee above, probably foraging from our Field Centre hive, was working along-side various Bumblebees and Hoverflies.

Mike and Tony still smiling after a hard days work, thank you also to Peter, John and Jackie for their much needed assistance.