tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71953733131564570702024-03-06T04:18:43.166+00:00The Man who Planted Acorns and Other Tales....Read on and experience the beautiful countryside that we look after here at Mottisfont and the New Forest. Written by Catherine Hadler the Area Ranger for Mottisfont and South West Hampshire, this blog will enable you to see the work we do to protect and enhance these places and the importance of drawing people into the natural world.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-63205237853871492612016-12-12T16:40:00.000+00:002016-12-12T16:40:02.203+00:00A Sailing we shall go<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Where has the time gone? Where has the year gone!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t been able to sit and write for
months, the work keeps piling up and Father Time seems to be stealing away the
days just for fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The leaves have
fallen and the carpets of gold and bronze have turned to a muddy slush; devoid
of the chestnuts and conkers that lay hidden beneath them a couple of months
ago – the squirrels and myself have seen to that, harvesting what we could find
for roasting (not the conkers and obviously not for roasting by the squirrels,
just me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fungi has emerged up through
the leaf litter in all its weird and wonderful glory, from the tasty treats of
hedgehog fungi, to the positively rude appearance of the Stinkhorns whose
stench always let you know they are nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvPu6LUXlqXWvawZAaQV7yI6IcN524nN-c_XTSsLqzbaU4TOMaUqDi6TLGVsR6E0tvrw8pghaQ_yrDdxIN8m_BcimsK3tts5RRcxs6OUcli07MsdPzg1xjc-RXMMGFz-wlT0oh-v5mloa/s1600/WP_20161029_11_28_10_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvPu6LUXlqXWvawZAaQV7yI6IcN524nN-c_XTSsLqzbaU4TOMaUqDi6TLGVsR6E0tvrw8pghaQ_yrDdxIN8m_BcimsK3tts5RRcxs6OUcli07MsdPzg1xjc-RXMMGFz-wlT0oh-v5mloa/s320/WP_20161029_11_28_10_Pro.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Stinkhorn i found in the New Forest in all its phallic like glory!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The days have gotten shorter and darker as we turn inexorably towards
Midwinter and the Solstice and the deepest point of the season. As ever I keep
my eyes on the eastern horizon, waiting and knowing that we are almost at the
point where we can begin to creep oh so slowly back out into the light
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Orion stalks the winter night sky once more; with Sirius at
his heels and it are these signs which symbolise to me the passing of the weeks
and months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what a few months it has
been!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On a personal level I have
completed a charity trek in the Sahara desert, walking over 100km to raise
money for Water Aid and witnessing some truly vast landscapes that were all the
more stunning for their apparent sterility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From huge sand dunes to flat endless salt pans, across dry lake beds and
rocky cliffs, we trekked, with the desert sun burning bright on our heads and
the distances to the evening camp unfathomable; you’d see the camp from a cliff
top and think you would make it there within the hour – but it would take much
longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distances were very hard to
gauge in such a huge, barren landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-Bty-WYc1yg6HVPa3gqlVmv0b-sTL0DkKgiq4lyA4WFZkaR4eag4jLz7bOVf-JTSHt6wV-n5FBWrC32W5_lWPAEn1XyC04tztyHrCE631Ud1tGkjhxF1YPo_kIkS_rwuFsqJze1DiVTB/s1600/WP_20161114_11_27_40_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-Bty-WYc1yg6HVPa3gqlVmv0b-sTL0DkKgiq4lyA4WFZkaR4eag4jLz7bOVf-JTSHt6wV-n5FBWrC32W5_lWPAEn1XyC04tztyHrCE631Ud1tGkjhxF1YPo_kIkS_rwuFsqJze1DiVTB/s320/WP_20161114_11_27_40_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">NT Ranger a long way from home....</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Night time gave us an unforgettable display of the Milky Way; with no
city lights to dim them, the stars and galaxies shone and twinkled and burned
hot against the inky blue and you felt like the tiniest piece of the most
complex puzzle of them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later on in
the night the moon rose, fully waxing whilst we were out there and the desert
would be lit up like daylight by the glow of the full moon, a silvery carpet laden
across the landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
hardships in blisters, sand chafing, heat and the toilet holes (especially
after a night’s camping with the whole group…shudder) and high points included
the sheer thrill of the challenge, making some new lifelong friends and finding
me some snakes! (I was very pleased one evening to find a sand viper tucked up
in the sand dunes near camp, only his eyes sticking out the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also had a cobra slither across our path
one day as we walked which was a sight to see).</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_77kN7JEQgTETOTC_ufMiyNW5pnIqXkZNtr6dwOG0fH31RtMc8KQtsi_GTLYs4ZSWfYMalPS186yKK0NFJU2r_uX2dllUuZfr4SSgb4ihfy09zCA4hpWGAwBaijBVn4_2auhF6OlIZjy/s1600/WP_20161115_16_14_58_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_77kN7JEQgTETOTC_ufMiyNW5pnIqXkZNtr6dwOG0fH31RtMc8KQtsi_GTLYs4ZSWfYMalPS186yKK0NFJU2r_uX2dllUuZfr4SSgb4ihfy09zCA4hpWGAwBaijBVn4_2auhF6OlIZjy/s400/WP_20161115_16_14_58_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sand viper i spotted, tucked under the sand waiting for rodents or small birds...see his little eyes poking out?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub3voPaACH5-RNzAE7RCtnb9MN-G2niX__ByzdiMmJ_t54Oq3ZiUdBaGaCbTM5YbEXLMa0yhNzX-cl7FiPAzzqOsas7WV8b8MaGsbBD2uC8c899I0PHPQgY1BDQ7-mKPlKKko2PZVwJND/s1600/WP_20161115_10_57_23_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub3voPaACH5-RNzAE7RCtnb9MN-G2niX__ByzdiMmJ_t54Oq3ZiUdBaGaCbTM5YbEXLMa0yhNzX-cl7FiPAzzqOsas7WV8b8MaGsbBD2uC8c899I0PHPQgY1BDQ7-mKPlKKko2PZVwJND/s320/WP_20161115_10_57_23_Pro.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even in the bleakest places...a desert flower.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Talking of snakes, back in September time I assisted
Catherine Supple, our Area Ranger in the New Forest, with a Smooth Snake survey
on one of our sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent a warm
five hours hiking around the site checking all the reptile refugia that was
laid out and admiring the heathland in late summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naturally it was only right at the very end,
on the very last refugia mat, that treasure lay beneath; under the mat was a
beautiful female smooth snake, basking in the warmth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked her up so we could get photos of the
head markings and record her (and generally admire her) and she proved to have
a great temperament, leaning her little chin on my hand as she flicked her
tongue at the air to sense what was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Reptile surveys are a good way of ascertaining the health of a
population on a site, the impact of any management work upon them as well as a
way of finding reptiles were none may have been previously recorded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew we had Smooth Snakes on our site but
as they are such an underground creature it is very hard to find them – as this
little lady proved, taking five hours to be found!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mrCxExF4ojxtCQ6oVDvOGAW4Ok61JMi6umAK5cHpptJ8iKZzqbQBDpVjph8_W8BQ8vlhUZU8ImcT9sJpfrQXnla7WJ8ahSql6V6qQFhGmohErqG0wNTjuBQuxeR-Mx2qMgfwbmDmWGwA/s1600/P1000912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mrCxExF4ojxtCQ6oVDvOGAW4Ok61JMi6umAK5cHpptJ8iKZzqbQBDpVjph8_W8BQ8vlhUZU8ImcT9sJpfrQXnla7WJ8ahSql6V6qQFhGmohErqG0wNTjuBQuxeR-Mx2qMgfwbmDmWGwA/s320/P1000912.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaut! See the round pupil in the red eye that helps distinguish it from an adder, which has a slit pupil in a red eye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has also been cider making season since I last wrote and
once again, a willing gang of friends were happy to come round to my house and
chop, scrat and press apples and make our summer supply of drinks for next
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The juice has since been racked
off twice and bottled into 60 odd bottles of soon to be glorious cider (I went
for half the amount to last year as have also just moved house and wasn’t sure I
could move 14 demi johns to my new place!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The sheep flock have spent a few months on the Leckford area
of the slope, where they also received their annual vaccinations (and my annual
beating up).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, Ryan was on hand
to help me vaccinate them and as we began the process we realised that our
little flock had all grown into fully fledged plumpers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally when we pen them up for vaccinating
we take them one by one to the needle and sometimes you get a smaller one, sometimes
you get a larger older one that required more strength and effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However this year, apart from the 5 newbies
we brought in in June, the whole flock were all equally large and fat and
therefore equally exhausting to manhandle into the ‘medicine bay’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also meant that trying to do injections
under the skin sometimes meant that they were so plump that there was no skin
to pinch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was afraid they would pop
like balloons if we pricked them with the needle as they had the circumference
of one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, it was good to see them
all in such good shape, if a little obese, to stand them in good stead for the
winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As usual, each time we
vaccinated one, we sprayed a tattoo on them so we could see which sheep had
been done in case they all broke out before we finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favourite works of art this time were the
tank and the Christmas pudding, both of which I was very pleased with, even if I
do say so myself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also gave a tribute
to the late, great Bowie with a Ziggy Stardust lightning bolt on one of them – I’m
sure the man himself would have been flattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwQRkuuQJRGLCKLgZZZMUC9QN7CaXJ3WrxRTouTMWTAlhbvpqJ_hZ-ZZy-XC9Si6m6tegYXiuquZAypX_trT4wzkff5u7NjG5rgc0Ndgt7CFl9cPNUD9BqS6zkFGgNalEq_HaW4K63FIu/s1600/InstagramCapture_873908b8-82b2-476b-8dec-e62a0d0eeb23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwQRkuuQJRGLCKLgZZZMUC9QN7CaXJ3WrxRTouTMWTAlhbvpqJ_hZ-ZZy-XC9Si6m6tegYXiuquZAypX_trT4wzkff5u7NjG5rgc0Ndgt7CFl9cPNUD9BqS6zkFGgNalEq_HaW4K63FIu/s320/InstagramCapture_873908b8-82b2-476b-8dec-e62a0d0eeb23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Who you calling a fat pudding!?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1bw2RkmhkwFP34tqnxjnx8b9O6kmWzSpG8wRa12MXG0EQAPVXkXBS9Bim4G1NES80cUqwGRkPPOurj25BcF4aK_WfhjryHTvXbbeg3D59FLCxXFy9qzug0JIK2wElF1hSenFXQdRU4px/s1600/WP_20161110_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1bw2RkmhkwFP34tqnxjnx8b9O6kmWzSpG8wRa12MXG0EQAPVXkXBS9Bim4G1NES80cUqwGRkPPOurj25BcF4aK_WfhjryHTvXbbeg3D59FLCxXFy9qzug0JIK2wElF1hSenFXQdRU4px/s320/WP_20161110_001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Built like tanks these sheep...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today marked their movement through to the NT public slope
and also proved to be a record of easiest move ever – 29 followed me through
the gate in two groups and having seen Boadicea was missing, I went off
searching with the nut bucket and a whistle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just as I stood by the Leckford corral thinking perhaps I had
miscounted, she emerged silently from the yew trees and proceeded to trot down
to me and follow me back all the way to the NT land and join the rest of the
gang – first time I’ve ever moved them without having to either wrestle some
through or capture odd ones up in the sheep trailer- may it be the first of
many such moves as this.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meanwhile, also on the Good Ship Countryside, we have been
sailing our way through autumn and into winter, getting on with all our busy
winter works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one respect, we
literally set sail, as, one fine crisp cold day the other week, Dylan and I finally
succeeded in doing something we had always wanted to do but had never got
around to/sorted out; we dug out our flat bottomed boat from one of the barns,
got the engine working and took it to the Hamble estuary where we tentatively
put it in the water at the public hard, got in and were afloat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We puttered our way through the marina of
million pound boats and made our way up river towards our Hamble site.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Once we were far enough up, we took up the
oars which were far quieter than the engine, and rowed our way in turns up the
estuary, glorying in the sight of our land, our Curbridge Nature Reserve, from
the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have always wanted to see
our site from the water and finally we were doing so – and what a sight it
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky was pure and blue and this
reflected into the estuary water so it felt like gliding on blue glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The banks were lines with titanic oaks, some
of which still held a few autumnal coloured leaves and the reed beds stretched
out into the estuary and glowed frozen gold and everything had an exact double
in the reflection on the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat in
the front (prow?) of the boat and dipped my hand in the water in glee, and
resisted the urge to do a titanic style Kate Winslet pose (‘I’m flying!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was truly stunning and seeing our site
from such a different perspective gave it a whole new spirit of place than the
one you got on the land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also allowed
us to monitor the continued tree erosion and decline and see which ones were
likely to be lost to the estuary next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also took fixed point photos of the reed beds so we can see if they
are increasing or decreasing in areas. We rowed our way all the way up to the
top of the estuary and the beginning of our site before turning round with the
tide and heading back round the meanders with their fallen titans of trees, the
reed beds and the rapidly appearing salt marsh flats before bursting once more
out into the wider, open waters of the estuary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJV0iE4XL11BqrNi-D5yN4QLZd8Jbo3ptmBoS3O-dr3ZLyLKXqIe8_Bdy50Y1Gwa_HyGjuQvqHl1lNazlEbD8PDi4MJ-EBn9Kk-h2VGkynk8tMVwVe3FBEXMSW7W43-LdwaHtx2AHCjT87/s1600/P1000997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJV0iE4XL11BqrNi-D5yN4QLZd8Jbo3ptmBoS3O-dr3ZLyLKXqIe8_Bdy50Y1Gwa_HyGjuQvqHl1lNazlEbD8PDi4MJ-EBn9Kk-h2VGkynk8tMVwVe3FBEXMSW7W43-LdwaHtx2AHCjT87/s320/P1000997.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bluuuuuuuue</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtNcFYtzCQkaCrk1_IreWh5KC_Tbv47XN47g0rdC2NqhiQrp3YYjlx_bnPHWjO6C6IP2uOe6n1lT5gV3Kxbn4npPHJhboiYzQDpiM7LnfU7Q7P6twuFA1mCp4g4B3Tse8LIIttnUbCvt6/s1600/P1010052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtNcFYtzCQkaCrk1_IreWh5KC_Tbv47XN47g0rdC2NqhiQrp3YYjlx_bnPHWjO6C6IP2uOe6n1lT5gV3Kxbn4npPHJhboiYzQDpiM7LnfU7Q7P6twuFA1mCp4g4B3Tse8LIIttnUbCvt6/s400/P1010052.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mirror image - see the fallen giants of the eroded trees, the golden reed beds that stretch out into the water as the estuary narrows.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As the sun lowered in the winter sky, we kicked up the engine and
chuffed our way back down river, following in the footsteps of history as the
Saxons used this same route, as did the romans who built their villa site
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many people from how many Ages
had made their way up this river?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
many tides had flowed in and out since the estuary was first formed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was easy, that golden winter’s day, to
feel the timelessness of that place, the magic of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drifting on the water I felt we were at the
beating heart of this place, feeling the elemental purity of it as we sat
surrounded by blue and gold, as so many others must have felt in years long
past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were one more footstep on the
memory of the Hamble estuary.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cdC9bVnRwjhlTIa5qhWG7coPLhbqSk-iG-xnyQz9HHMtX8c5-OcK-Gbi6xW66u1sV22rS5VDZw2koUR2UWlEXvcLDPUFWKD66rBqsWxhNWbbUHDLxSExWez05f0-RApTWYE8xTfOIlFX/s1600/P1010106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cdC9bVnRwjhlTIa5qhWG7coPLhbqSk-iG-xnyQz9HHMtX8c5-OcK-Gbi6xW66u1sV22rS5VDZw2koUR2UWlEXvcLDPUFWKD66rBqsWxhNWbbUHDLxSExWez05f0-RApTWYE8xTfOIlFX/s640/P1010106.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the heart of Hamble</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-43112818351568868842016-08-24T16:02:00.003+01:002016-08-24T16:02:46.910+01:00On the Wings of Summer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are drifting into the later stages of the summer here in
the Test Valley and August is currently blessing us with blue skies and burning
sunshine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This weather, alongside the
summer holidays, has brought the people flocking to Mottisfont Abbey where the
still waters of the Test run cool and the towering Plane tree’s spread their
shade for hot families to dwell in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
always amuses me when I walk through the stable yard to see the difference
between summers beginning and end; at the start of summer, everyone sits on the
chairs and tables that are on the sunny side, in order to capture that first
bit of summer warmth; by July and August, they have swiftly flocked across to
the shady side because the heat is too intense!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has been a good two months since I last wrote, namely due
to how busy we are across the summer (despite winter being our ‘full on’ work season
with felling and so on, summer seems to get busier every year!) but also
because when the weather is this glorious, its very hard not to be outside in
it instead of typing at a desk; today I have compromised, and sit typing under
a tree in the Abbey grounds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our summer months have flown by in a sort of blink and you
miss it kind of way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wildflowers of
Stockbridge Down have blossomed and bloomed in a technicolour fury and are now
going to seed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sheep flock have
continually eaten their way through the summer vegetation and have just moved
back to the Leckford slope to begin the feast anew – needless to say, they are
a very healthy size at the moment, and when they come running to my call the
ground shakes!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZB5QVbLMrddPHoLsNQ0EO9FpjecDrpSQqDK_T20E6aQH9OuWdoA2LMGkNQiSPiYK5pkzeDsCT2npITYItWjsDRr94q-piCBo-9O9KgI7Hf5y70wuda1FMj1JIh6gDO4D2xxi5ku1flNg/s1600/InstagramCapture_150957b0-4123-4ad9-8e38-d16de88e4326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZB5QVbLMrddPHoLsNQ0EO9FpjecDrpSQqDK_T20E6aQH9OuWdoA2LMGkNQiSPiYK5pkzeDsCT2npITYItWjsDRr94q-piCBo-9O9KgI7Hf5y70wuda1FMj1JIh6gDO4D2xxi5ku1flNg/s320/InstagramCapture_150957b0-4123-4ad9-8e38-d16de88e4326.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sheep doing their bit - NOM!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Already September
looms up at us, as of next week, and here and there you can spot the first
small signs of impending autumn; the first leaves changing colour and falling,
the absence of some of our migratory species, the reduction in butterfly
numbers as each species dies with the ongoing season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been doing all our usual surveys
across the summer months, to enable us to see how our species are faring on our
sites, in response to our management as well as to nationwide trends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The glow worm surveys on Stockbridge Down
proved a success with a similar trends to last year – June being a more quiet
month with only a few specimens found, and July being the booming peak, with
237 juicy, glowing beauties found this year, the majority being females glowing
their little bottoms off in the hunt for a mate (not much of a hunt for the
female really, she sits and glows and the males come to her!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This topped our July total of last year and
so was very pleasing as a result, despite nearly losing two of our volunteers
who fell down a rather large burrow in the dark, which was also hidden by the
long vegetation (we managed to drag them out, so all good).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIukGRwtHqt6kN6Ut0vEaWrAj3RNHbT9JarbRWY_mdFYqb1ugOoQRLNuvPU9S-kZiJVk0avDgOQdSLWSLptNWbyFMEFI1VAGjir3EdkVNBNsLnCBA7j2aI605zLu11fHRVs4VysZzo6A0/s1600/P1000766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIukGRwtHqt6kN6Ut0vEaWrAj3RNHbT9JarbRWY_mdFYqb1ugOoQRLNuvPU9S-kZiJVk0avDgOQdSLWSLptNWbyFMEFI1VAGjir3EdkVNBNsLnCBA7j2aI605zLu11fHRVs4VysZzo6A0/s320/P1000766.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick photo of a glowing female glow worm - you can just see her glowing bottom in the torchlight</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On our heathland regeneration site in Foxbury the Nightjar
surveys have also come up trumps with 24 churring males recorded over the
course of the survey season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of our
rangers Dave J happened across a nightjar nest by chance on site and managed to
get some brilliant camera trap footage showing this magnificent and slightly
weird looking bird.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This time of year also brings the Barbastelle bat surveys
with it, and in our woodlands at Mottisfont we have been walking the transect
routes recording bat calls which are then analysed on the computer to
differentiate the Barbastelle from the other bat species which were abroad that
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being that our woodlands are
designated as an SAC (Special Area of Conservation) due to the presence of the
Barbastelle maternity roost, our woodland management has to very thoroughly and
carefully tie in with this; whilst we manage our woodlands for conservation and
timber produce, we must also manage them for the bats in terms of ensuring that
none of our woodland work adversely impacts upon them, as well as managing for
the future – so choosing trees to become future veteran trees and future bat
roosts and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, the bats
will still go where ever they like and roost in trees that do not appear to
display any sign of potential bat habitat (I have seen some of these roost
trees, small, skinny, no cracks or flaking bark…and yet they are used!) but we
must still plan ahead using what knowledge we do have of their preferred
habitat types and work towards this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
this end, and as our Woodland Stewardship is soon to come to a close, we have
been working in conjunction with Natural England and the Forestry Commission on
our new woodland management plan for countryside stewardship that combines all
these features, from managing for the SAC and bats, to managing our timber
production now and for the future and potential to combat risks of climate
change such as spread of disease and loss of species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This plan has proven fairly colossal and both
Dave C and Ryan have put a huge amount of work into it to get it approved and
submitted in time for the deadline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
future of our woodlands has been rewritten!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another huge development which has occurred since I last
wrote features our smallest but no less loved site on the Hamble River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where we have our strip of ancient
woodland meandering alongside the Hamble estuary, complete with its salt
marshes and reed bed habitat all of which are of critical importance on an
international scale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As such the site
has just about every designation you can throw at it; SSSI, SAC, SPA, RAMSAR,
NNR (I will let you google all those).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The site is prone to pressure from encroaching development which knocks
at its boundaries and also from sea level rises and higher tides, already
evident, which are slowly eroding away the woodland edge and resulting in the
loss of some impressive veteran trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last year a chance came up for us to help safeguard the site and try and
relieve some of the pressure on this woodland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After many months of consultations, project boards and application papers
as well as a lot of hard work from all involved, we finally got the go ahead to
purchase a parcel of land that had gone up for sale bordering the woodland,
using project Neptune funding (this is a fund source the National Trust set up
to help buy areas of coastline/estuary that need safeguarding).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With this funding we were then able to
successfully buy the land and got full ownership of the area in July this year
– much to my beaming, excited, bountiful delight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all the months of uncertainty as to
whether we could get the funding or whether someone else would buy it out from
under us – it’s ours!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have not just
bought a land parcel; we have bought a chance to prevent the habitat here from
succumbing to the pressures of increasing population and climate change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new parcel of land can be allowed to
regenerate and turn into woodland, with access through it which will help take
the pressure off the current woodland area which is suffering badly from soil
erosion and excessive runoff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Increasing
the woodland will help counteract the runoff that comes with the nearby
developments, and provide more space for people to roam without all hitting the
same area too hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will also be the
woodland of the future, as the current one is lost to the rising estuary; it
now has a chance to extend outwards and survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find it mind boggling to think that this is
the beginning of something that will stand for centuries; long after I am gone,
this special place will remain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A huge
thank you to everyone who put their heart into this project and acquiring this
piece of land, including Peter Nixon, Richard Henderson, Paul Cook, Dylan
Everett, James Taylor and other members of the board – take a walk through the
Hamble woodlands on a summer’s day like today, look out across the historic
estuary and feel just how precious an area you have helped to protect for the
future. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cqaKhOmEaqhN9WdU5W2W9yYtSo3jA31fCD0fdXNNEp5JU8Z-rtUy2qLjO4yjtb48P1eplcD6d2gBdN4mkVG9aX6Bo10drwI01TWq-YbOwpNxTPwz7HG06mNQOuEWwBZXt6VG3NIBDQPn/s1600/P1000060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cqaKhOmEaqhN9WdU5W2W9yYtSo3jA31fCD0fdXNNEp5JU8Z-rtUy2qLjO4yjtb48P1eplcD6d2gBdN4mkVG9aX6Bo10drwI01TWq-YbOwpNxTPwz7HG06mNQOuEWwBZXt6VG3NIBDQPn/s400/P1000060.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out at the estuary from our woodlands - stunning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> And so our work goes ever onwards with the seasons, always
fighting to conserve and manage the land we own and safeguard it for the future,
whilst always opening our minds to new opportunities and chances to save more
land from the clutches of urban sprawl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is the time of year when I begin to count the last few signs of a
fading summer, a season I love so much for its vibrancy and light and life
(although the brambles, nettles, horse flies and ticks do get a little
tiring).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Turtle Doves have long
since flown from Stockbridge Down; their purring calls have fallen silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuMSjgD-90lwCs4VtI2JqVWtnXZdGJPxGWG3e9kaMKIKZDmfkX1lZajS1aMZZazXxKq9vmLWqHdAVBtkxogxKkenpqERXwwnNVeeXU4u8kCe7rVqmmycUFY5sX8HMWxtWIABb_4Jt10aT/s1600/InstagramCapture_df6aca41-1458-4ab2-8b5c-b8d837d46d10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuMSjgD-90lwCs4VtI2JqVWtnXZdGJPxGWG3e9kaMKIKZDmfkX1lZajS1aMZZazXxKq9vmLWqHdAVBtkxogxKkenpqERXwwnNVeeXU4u8kCe7rVqmmycUFY5sX8HMWxtWIABb_4Jt10aT/s320/InstagramCapture_df6aca41-1458-4ab2-8b5c-b8d837d46d10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The backside of a Turtle Dove! Best shot i could get...apart from some decent film footage which is too large to upload here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSRpFezUO9b68CVtJ3scEqRiO_iqcLiCpKqS6a_HKDhsKiB1X3Vg-ls1hyphenhyphenTqlxXRealevvubFFbTxXTQKu6eF6gTTZo2sFs5O_za2vxPx5qZA5umEtjcF_xLOCn4dzvIhKTApr5qrvnT_/s1600/Turtle+Dove.MTS" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>However the weather is glorious and there is
still life in the old girl of summer yet, with the swallows dancing crazily
around our farmyard, still very much with us, and, more importantly, the very
promising looking start of the foragers harvest….blackberries, sloes, hazelnuts,
walnuts are all popping out and, most importantly of all – the apple
harvest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My beady eye has already
clocked the ripening apples on trees across our estate including our orchard,
carpark and woodland apple trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very
soon now I will begin the scrumping and pillaging ready for my annual cider
making mid-September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely one of
the highlights to summers end! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjy-58j2lIsStiyoez4TfSEJ1KyO2LJENUjL744HgC3Tc5ljaeZhLx3Wm9mFqjKoYydoUgQByUfykHv2Je5oMyqRK4vsMPqpsq4b4yoEo124zcJH4ke3kPFLcNIREORMqSt0zlT4-JoKB/s1600/InstagramCapture_18378df7-fbb2-48f4-b698-cb8b0766f034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjy-58j2lIsStiyoez4TfSEJ1KyO2LJENUjL744HgC3Tc5ljaeZhLx3Wm9mFqjKoYydoUgQByUfykHv2Je5oMyqRK4vsMPqpsq4b4yoEo124zcJH4ke3kPFLcNIREORMqSt0zlT4-JoKB/s320/InstagramCapture_18378df7-fbb2-48f4-b698-cb8b0766f034.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm..not long now my lovelies, until i pulp you to juice...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I shall leave you with a selection of photos that detail the
sights and sounds of working in the countryside over the summer months far
better than my words (and if you only ever want the photos and not the words
then follow me on Instagram, username: swhantsnt).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP58nxUsN_R0f1MPektumYMw5CUW1fsoSnHssqb2M6CtnFsV_AkQnzazv-v9lqdK9sMoUjmPlE2FfCbJuKsm5j_5MKnEZplj-AbHksad6lxnJDvg3oePnf7nBy7uLsVbCxDFXTH2bPACbH/s1600/InstagramCapture_0d522873-452a-4bf8-b066-4d27259366c8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP58nxUsN_R0f1MPektumYMw5CUW1fsoSnHssqb2M6CtnFsV_AkQnzazv-v9lqdK9sMoUjmPlE2FfCbJuKsm5j_5MKnEZplj-AbHksad6lxnJDvg3oePnf7nBy7uLsVbCxDFXTH2bPACbH/s320/InstagramCapture_0d522873-452a-4bf8-b066-4d27259366c8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill Blue butterflies emerged in their hundreds on the Down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVtImJ7H4cjSeEL-vaLof-TcQnzc3uX5LRwTdOBS6iyR2F2eQB_4OnkjqnC1f9eDwPhtN79Rnm9PQWHb-EYauwuLApA_5KWFTI485wFXLWNgGU0esdpd-ClKO4qRYzPgYwabqv8d5FAI8/s1600/InstagramCapture_9cef09a0-25bf-43b4-88f8-c35ee18317c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVtImJ7H4cjSeEL-vaLof-TcQnzc3uX5LRwTdOBS6iyR2F2eQB_4OnkjqnC1f9eDwPhtN79Rnm9PQWHb-EYauwuLApA_5KWFTI485wFXLWNgGU0esdpd-ClKO4qRYzPgYwabqv8d5FAI8/s320/InstagramCapture_9cef09a0-25bf-43b4-88f8-c35ee18317c5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Ringed Dragonfly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyWqP_GZyhY0df-JuNWQkeA6dha5wpy-m-zLPHbUFk4eHFKQ0L7YY-KJ496wN3yJmAXa_Bv8T6hCSqrrQdVRDPWMLSWU9RTJvAKErSqg5fPpH30vca0UPaEMT2MqAvU8GzdAnXS4SoaVX/s1600/InstagramCapture_31baf277-06d3-4b8c-9c53-1e59ffe22881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyWqP_GZyhY0df-JuNWQkeA6dha5wpy-m-zLPHbUFk4eHFKQ0L7YY-KJ496wN3yJmAXa_Bv8T6hCSqrrQdVRDPWMLSWU9RTJvAKErSqg5fPpH30vca0UPaEMT2MqAvU8GzdAnXS4SoaVX/s320/InstagramCapture_31baf277-06d3-4b8c-9c53-1e59ffe22881.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hornet Robber fly on Stockbridge - a rarity!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtD88sO4FDMJpNzxfD7ID48-PSo3OLXB2Ka1S-ytODj4OO6KN4DQ2gQ3A1WiRlpqfapYO1U5tnyUjjx3RUhkEfhv3CrtZ4tdhB18i20RRpfeP6PGLsrH0S1C4rDaqywZtsfRpStCk-9pr/s1600/InstagramCapture_79f12789-e83d-479c-a0a3-131f33ab1956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtD88sO4FDMJpNzxfD7ID48-PSo3OLXB2Ka1S-ytODj4OO6KN4DQ2gQ3A1WiRlpqfapYO1U5tnyUjjx3RUhkEfhv3CrtZ4tdhB18i20RRpfeP6PGLsrH0S1C4rDaqywZtsfRpStCk-9pr/s320/InstagramCapture_79f12789-e83d-479c-a0a3-131f33ab1956.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Curious Cattle of Stockbridge Down, lurking in the undergrowth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9p6oamEsEgaeaKEqlMBo_DlsZhVHmAdcjH4oNbFcvD6-iI7Gh4HjpQjaBdlE4J1DD4jCZmm3N5PtVFHN1nRy_K3nGu1Ckf9m6owxphmJK87lSxAzXa4QQBn4RYQMT-zyf6h-BFtbavQ3C/s1600/InstagramCapture_93ffd878-21cf-4ce5-80df-54ec596da380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9p6oamEsEgaeaKEqlMBo_DlsZhVHmAdcjH4oNbFcvD6-iI7Gh4HjpQjaBdlE4J1DD4jCZmm3N5PtVFHN1nRy_K3nGu1Ckf9m6owxphmJK87lSxAzXa4QQBn4RYQMT-zyf6h-BFtbavQ3C/s320/InstagramCapture_93ffd878-21cf-4ce5-80df-54ec596da380.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan modelling a Comma butterfly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tOI5wCCVlVLWNprua9VmSaYK09INB-dafdxO0P6l330iAZlEOuL1Vu5dTQHZ9Lw9XvX4zKCEREeuP951hGoBlerWN3R46RFaUfKk0818S3TRtnbx24rlgImC_Scg3MAJCK9G48kOlM8n/s1600/InstagramCapture_96d36eff-a7e3-4654-b008-c3bba68015b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tOI5wCCVlVLWNprua9VmSaYK09INB-dafdxO0P6l330iAZlEOuL1Vu5dTQHZ9Lw9XvX4zKCEREeuP951hGoBlerWN3R46RFaUfKk0818S3TRtnbx24rlgImC_Scg3MAJCK9G48kOlM8n/s320/InstagramCapture_96d36eff-a7e3-4654-b008-c3bba68015b9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know you have improved on your wildflower ID when you can tell these three apart - L-R = Mouse Eared Hawkweed, Smooth Hawksbeard and Rough Hawks Bit....i think...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtVfw1vy43m6mdEZeXPz-BOACar4o9inXVXKeIfB0oqNoY2Yom9u6QrXA6hOJyXMfp0M1Oe7_lUwL46XUf0jbJUOyRK03sM2uYH9icyb6YmUHPyhFjrAIofmH-fmeokHjFs0T39uqQxqq/s1600/InstagramCapture_99dcb5d3-abb6-4cf5-be62-ebd1e3454706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtVfw1vy43m6mdEZeXPz-BOACar4o9inXVXKeIfB0oqNoY2Yom9u6QrXA6hOJyXMfp0M1Oe7_lUwL46XUf0jbJUOyRK03sM2uYH9icyb6YmUHPyhFjrAIofmH-fmeokHjFs0T39uqQxqq/s320/InstagramCapture_99dcb5d3-abb6-4cf5-be62-ebd1e3454706.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Synchronized bumbling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHxqVUHPkstOMM8ZmP0xEJvL8JHVijY4AcgDie_Acs5wT8c_epa7yDT4POygpg85nPMxhPrZd9AAw_4d6g9zpk9cUiNMndHbhcVI3uxd7D-0OMaDGaLHNcptHwAloMaNgryt9QkLqRZHj/s1600/InstagramCapture_7960b8fb-22b5-4ee3-8d22-f03acc797d9e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHxqVUHPkstOMM8ZmP0xEJvL8JHVijY4AcgDie_Acs5wT8c_epa7yDT4POygpg85nPMxhPrZd9AAw_4d6g9zpk9cUiNMndHbhcVI3uxd7D-0OMaDGaLHNcptHwAloMaNgryt9QkLqRZHj/s320/InstagramCapture_7960b8fb-22b5-4ee3-8d22-f03acc797d9e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasp spiders on Stockbridge Marsh - this Shelob caught and wrapped a bush cricket before my eyes!</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbNcIWDMP911ATRLQXn-xbu4DssXr6PN1qsDmdG7EMz0KPbx75yIbeVAcd5T82jqr1YotkDGY6dhXFzQUVEc6GGdz95U221XnKYO0NHtkcL3pNAuiLpuZOBnuyuEZJGyul3ga2ERAJ8SP/s1600/InstagramCapture_94018c89-9e18-4e39-b85a-a2b6a4b3e162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbNcIWDMP911ATRLQXn-xbu4DssXr6PN1qsDmdG7EMz0KPbx75yIbeVAcd5T82jqr1YotkDGY6dhXFzQUVEc6GGdz95U221XnKYO0NHtkcL3pNAuiLpuZOBnuyuEZJGyul3ga2ERAJ8SP/s320/InstagramCapture_94018c89-9e18-4e39-b85a-a2b6a4b3e162.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag Iris seed pods - whopping!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyWZKxSkkg39b1rjFSpzDo7RZIIFMZ9Sn0iUkk61dgutBJ07pJUE442nAhj1aH9WO60k1ClwHhnFFjvDAS4IgOsn1fvBCcc0ZxJxXPpuLDR8h_4sJ_kQyU8eMYC3KPpKy8YYA1_wmldzy/s1600/InstagramCapture_e12d2394-5b41-49a8-9f30-d940bb61cbac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyWZKxSkkg39b1rjFSpzDo7RZIIFMZ9Sn0iUkk61dgutBJ07pJUE442nAhj1aH9WO60k1ClwHhnFFjvDAS4IgOsn1fvBCcc0ZxJxXPpuLDR8h_4sJ_kQyU8eMYC3KPpKy8YYA1_wmldzy/s320/InstagramCapture_e12d2394-5b41-49a8-9f30-d940bb61cbac.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Harebells of summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blues mating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1nbwGvSNC7djfjPW7rvuN1fg2CTaaYpYkhwmbVtSlwPTOyWWjSavgWzV6HJbk_sJTF1ut7qn4yf-MSBo22yVYuPK1F0qYqLidw-hwyvapeloCXsUtvk7TpXgaIAEcuJh-EZRXWsFkqaZ/s1600/WP_20160630_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1nbwGvSNC7djfjPW7rvuN1fg2CTaaYpYkhwmbVtSlwPTOyWWjSavgWzV6HJbk_sJTF1ut7qn4yf-MSBo22yVYuPK1F0qYqLidw-hwyvapeloCXsUtvk7TpXgaIAEcuJh-EZRXWsFkqaZ/s320/WP_20160630_009.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Curious Cattle of Stockbridge assaulting my truck - again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFBTpNkb8kwg_oW9cU9D20Jy5TmLl2_UXwMuxHjXTvMiIvso2th5dzBg6DKx0a3EJqgCqkl6A2OF798KXgJTND42-DkjcH6RpPWWxuOYKPMulpvYfRGNE-od2oCrjeQXlPNKAO2aqd6p1/s1600/InstagramCapture_ada3388d-06d0-4fdb-bf3a-d24b8fa6568e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFBTpNkb8kwg_oW9cU9D20Jy5TmLl2_UXwMuxHjXTvMiIvso2th5dzBg6DKx0a3EJqgCqkl6A2OF798KXgJTND42-DkjcH6RpPWWxuOYKPMulpvYfRGNE-od2oCrjeQXlPNKAO2aqd6p1/s320/InstagramCapture_ada3388d-06d0-4fdb-bf3a-d24b8fa6568e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More new Juniper babies this year! So teeny!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PS: Working in the current heat levels is helping me to
acclimatise for my Sahara trek in November (and making me realise just quite
what I’m letting myself in for!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
wish to donate towards my 100km challenge, in honour of Water Aid, then please
click the link below – thank you!</span></div>
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<![endif]--><b><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/Cats100kmdeserttrek">https://www.justgiving.com/Cats100kmdeserttrek</a>
</span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-45143472343152596692016-06-21T12:55:00.002+01:002016-06-21T12:55:36.784+01:00Strawberry Moon Solstice<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s almost Midsummer! Can you
actually believe it; we are halfway through the year already and yet barely
seem to have had time to enjoy the delights that the warmer season brings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mixture of warm, wet weather has resulted
in vegetation growth the likes of which I have not seen before on our sites –
the grass is taller and longer than I’ve ever seen it at this time of year
which at first glance on places like Stockbridge Down can give the impression
of an endless sea of thick uniform grass sward; but when you look closer you
spot the delights that lie within, the Wild thyme, the vetches, the Trefoils,
the Wild Strawberries, the Marjoram, the speedwells and so many more, all
making up a beautiful sea of herbs and flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, also making up this sea of flora is this year’s onslaught
of ragwort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Down seems to have
suffered a large spread of the stuff which is vaguely bizarre as for the first
two summers I was here we had barely any and then last year and this year,
there are single stems popping up all over the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGAYwpmRbcSLANNYYnW9JXS7A2s5uOqlJU0SeHgyxeUeH_Is9L69G4Fjls_B4Bv6vN5WzT1KCziLNgl8G6hWBttaQIb1wmm7413UCQ1syX2j9bDGCJQQOsCrTSb37u1rOKbmOO9NM0SPD/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGAYwpmRbcSLANNYYnW9JXS7A2s5uOqlJU0SeHgyxeUeH_Is9L69G4Fjls_B4Bv6vN5WzT1KCziLNgl8G6hWBttaQIb1wmm7413UCQ1syX2j9bDGCJQQOsCrTSb37u1rOKbmOO9NM0SPD/s320/IMG_1428.JPG" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty pretty - Eyebright and Wild Thyme, just a couple of the stunning flowers you can see here.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of course there is the usual argument over
removal of ragwort and I do agree that it is a fantastic late season nectar
source for insects and food plant for the Cinnabar moth; however if unchecked it
does spread rapidly and colonise an area to such a heavy and vast extent that
it is detrimental to the diversity of the site and therefore we have to keep it
under control by pulling it and removing the majority of plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contrary to belief, having it growing onsite
is not an issue for the cattle or sheep whilst it is living – the cattle tend
to avoid the living plant as it is unpalatable to them and the sheep will
happily nibble the rosettes in the early stages with no ill effects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only once it has been pulled or sprayed
and the plant is dying that it becomes palatable to the cattle and that’s when
they may eat it – which could cause an issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To avoid this we remove all the pulled stems offsite and take them to
our compost area we have for this very purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also ask that members of the public do not pull stems (all be it they
are trying to help) and leave them lying there as they would then become
potential cattle fodder.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8Whl_9-f6inM4BJLQy6ezs8Qg-hCfgj3QiGH8vkbPAd8kyGJs0ZYgrVOfSrb4Bhz6wuSh58wgMLrBGsrkzDb604bjAcyqR4DNtxu2k4LZ6pVUyCc9NqJS3h4vBktdrO7ubAEZI6IwYjA/s1600/WP_20160620_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8Whl_9-f6inM4BJLQy6ezs8Qg-hCfgj3QiGH8vkbPAd8kyGJs0ZYgrVOfSrb4Bhz6wuSh58wgMLrBGsrkzDb604bjAcyqR4DNtxu2k4LZ6pVUyCc9NqJS3h4vBktdrO7ubAEZI6IwYjA/s320/WP_20160620_006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The VERY curious cattle investigating our ragwort bags - go away!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So it was yesterday, on the
Summer Solstice which was ironically a very soggy, rainy day, I took two truckloads
of volunteers as well as two work placement students we have with us at the
moment, and we headed up to the Down for a day of ragwort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not the most inspiring of tasks, bent
double all day pulling at stems but you can at least admire the flora as you do
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The volunteers are not keen on
ragwort but soldiered on in the rain none the less, with good natured grumbling
and ‘we want a pay rise’ floating on the wind in an endless monologue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeking to try and divert people from the
mind numbing task I called out ‘guys! It’s the Solstice today, the longest day
of the year!’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To which Tony, with his arms full
of ragwort, piped up ‘Yeah – feels like it!’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Touche.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">However the sun popped out at
intervals, bringing out the first of this year’s Marbled Whites, and throughout
the day we heard the Turtle Doves purring from the scrub, a beautiful summer
soundtrack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard the Turtle
Doves a lot this year on the Down, including two good sightings of one up at
the clay cap woodland flying round displaying and calling which, our local bird
expert and surveyor tells me, is a good sign at this time of year as it likely
means a female is nearby on a nest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another bird that made an appearance as we toiled was a fat little
fledgling wren, which fluttered in and then hopped over the ground to
investigate our work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scooped it up to
admire it as baby birds always remind me fondly of Jasper the Nuthatch chick I reared,
and this chubby wrenlet was just as sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After we all oohed and aah-ed I opened my hand and it fluttered wonkily
to the nearest Juniper branch and sat there, baby head feathers sticking out at
funny angles, and continued to watch us with its beady little eye.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0fWabb4JLX_8aV2kfWe4hLr1hQ48Ru-HoE5QNHj3D2-_CP5Da_QjK0P0eJKHd0_z8jOYWpf7N7CyeVDeqvflW3nMsX10c0TX7myj-prytGcUvRAhrJ4E5ytMYjrzF2KjKR80TpBy-58Z/s1600/InstagramCapture_748d9f16-8ba7-4361-9c83-414e55467a47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0fWabb4JLX_8aV2kfWe4hLr1hQ48Ru-HoE5QNHj3D2-_CP5Da_QjK0P0eJKHd0_z8jOYWpf7N7CyeVDeqvflW3nMsX10c0TX7myj-prytGcUvRAhrJ4E5ytMYjrzF2KjKR80TpBy-58Z/s320/InstagramCapture_748d9f16-8ba7-4361-9c83-414e55467a47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fledgling wren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another job planned for this time
of year was to do some transplanting of reed vegetation on Stockbridge Marsh,
in order to help the bank restoration revegetate behind the geotextile that we
put in a couple of summer’s ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went
to the Marsh last week to plan the work and found to my delight that due to the
protection of the fence, the vegetation has established so well on its own so
far, that it did not appear necessary to bring anymore across.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The inlets where we had 150 tonnes of peat
brought in from Mottisfont to fill in the eroding canyons have also worked
well, the peat has dried out enough that a more solid surface is forming and
vegetation matter is beginning to grow up which will help with bonding it all
together. I have hopes for more similar work this winter but we shall have to
see how it all pans out…however the current results are promising.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxfxbM4nVdMNgayhWRmGhSvPFo2ktFQwVBk0QCT30BA2K2EVzRmf7LpAidMwjOqvT7ShWn1GMxjRjWf7ZEmgySTsNUkHqvsmqkLLaCa9Ebvdrt00Otvvrf6ebHVWuoUpZbF3ytjygDzrE/s1600/P1000828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxfxbM4nVdMNgayhWRmGhSvPFo2ktFQwVBk0QCT30BA2K2EVzRmf7LpAidMwjOqvT7ShWn1GMxjRjWf7ZEmgySTsNUkHqvsmqkLLaCa9Ebvdrt00Otvvrf6ebHVWuoUpZbF3ytjygDzrE/s320/P1000828.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Re vegetation around the eroded bank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAHb-KrWNGwWo26AXUr_gxduOdwRmwolRdfsV3VAGP2Bdlhg1fEfwLSYVghgTt2S4MzyF7disdrFghzNiIiSsbuDVuPItJo-G_X1UNtmqSsMvFwYMARBVu48vpXC6UkIPs6F5x76Wf5lm/s1600/P1000829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAHb-KrWNGwWo26AXUr_gxduOdwRmwolRdfsV3VAGP2Bdlhg1fEfwLSYVghgTt2S4MzyF7disdrFghzNiIiSsbuDVuPItJo-G_X1UNtmqSsMvFwYMARBVu48vpXC6UkIPs6F5x76Wf5lm/s320/P1000829.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully vegetated bankside margin, round the faggots installed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnl7zbjwGouKWvRWqfFp_W74tOyuz3IyQjp-Ye8M5R1ounq8mT_Dq4vleALC5fyqbEKToEz5jIwKh4tUcL-fNyLxkePV4opj0NomTCFF7VoqGYAxMYZYhCc8dxT7o15AtIcq6VXcdCF_h/s1600/P1000831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnl7zbjwGouKWvRWqfFp_W74tOyuz3IyQjp-Ye8M5R1ounq8mT_Dq4vleALC5fyqbEKToEz5jIwKh4tUcL-fNyLxkePV4opj0NomTCFF7VoqGYAxMYZYhCc8dxT7o15AtIcq6VXcdCF_h/s320/P1000831.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inlets vegetating up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddn4IhI0yZhAP2lsG3zSS_JBI493LG2K4t2FMnWjZBryGB59T4MNs7_MzgbABnKXpIkj-FiiL3o75Yv3WOc4SwBOINWdRKbc3I7XAzNX8MgODGdzdKkoJw1jjK8ztflVTdo_D_GxcmrJN/s1600/P1000830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddn4IhI0yZhAP2lsG3zSS_JBI493LG2K4t2FMnWjZBryGB59T4MNs7_MzgbABnKXpIkj-FiiL3o75Yv3WOc4SwBOINWdRKbc3I7XAzNX8MgODGdzdKkoJw1jjK8ztflVTdo_D_GxcmrJN/s320/P1000830.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking much better!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So we have reached yet another seasonal
milestone with the Summer Solstice yesterday, one that co-incided with a ‘Strawberry
moon’ at its peak which they say is a one in seventy year event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst this inevitably means that the days
will now begin, oh so slowly, to get shorter, I can’t think about that yet as
there is still so much light and life of summer still to come, from churring
Nightjars and purring Turtle Doves to butterflies of every colour including
some species yet to emerge, like the Chalkhill Blues and Dark Green
Fritillaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The summer and autumn harvest
is yet to come, bringing with it all the goodies for various types of homebrew
including cider and so it is these things I think of and not the slow slide
into hibernation that will inevitably occur in the natural world, a few months
from now.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi8CD_RcmXPpPJaiCR_5EtCgahLWFfkntjZ92jCyGeczqWgJE-wXsn2YzdRxL2_f0oHsJI0hBeFAzk-SJEptf8cElkQWsIoxCicvMGg8KvZ75jqNlt71zEzxQEq-QpXO2ba6rw087vyQm/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last night, in honour of the occasion
I opened my window and hung out to try and see this special moon but my
attention was caught by a snuffling around the front lawn. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Into view scurried a couple of hedgehogs,
comically plump and all the more attractive looking for how fast they tottered
along on their little legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They spent a
long time running to and fro, searching out tasty slugs no doubt (I wanted to
put them near my veg pots) and so, in a scene that felt like something out of a
Roald Dahl book, as the light faded on the Longest Day of the year I sat with
my feet dangling out the window watching hedgehogs by the light of a Strawberry
Moon.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXT7woJr09OqnqAObFbX6u3ZByeJONWRs90WJrVpBYL5eOHlOTotddKWl6wZBAc8lUOMdzai7oUfwqg8aqNjoryFyzBWM_l4Mzogy3SlxSJnbzVlun97LFfHsR5bdn4fuVKlA_-nDr3CU/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXT7woJr09OqnqAObFbX6u3ZByeJONWRs90WJrVpBYL5eOHlOTotddKWl6wZBAc8lUOMdzai7oUfwqg8aqNjoryFyzBWM_l4Mzogy3SlxSJnbzVlun97LFfHsR5bdn4fuVKlA_-nDr3CU/s320/IMG_0407.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hedge pigs on the lawn!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-55427068244155102952016-06-03T14:17:00.001+01:002016-06-08T19:24:04.403+01:00Survey season<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are well and truly into survey
season now and consequently my desk looks like a naturalist bomb has exploded
over it; FSC ID guides, bird survey maps, butterfly transect forms, glow worm
survey routes, dormouse survey grid forms, smooth snake survey instructions,
eye lenses, dying grass specimens,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>books
on moths, bees' damselflies, wild flowers and more all litter the available surface
round my laptop, interspersed with living insects (normally ladybirds) that
drift in through the open window and decide this is a nice spot to settle for a
while and a Peace Lily that thrives on the cold tea I pour into it when I need to
empty my cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the middle of this
chaos you may find me, happy to be surrounded by such things that symbolise the
outdoors and the vibrancy of the natural world at this time of year, and
therefore loath to tidy it up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Species surveying is such an
important part of our work across our countryside; it’s all very well managing
habitats for their benefit and protection but if we cannot ascertain actual
evidence of species population trends and monitor their health then it doesn’t
allow us to spot when something may be going awry in the ecosystem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of this may be natural flux, but some
will also be as a result of past or present management so it is important to
keep our eyes on it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Equally important
is that such data gets uploaded to a national database and not just shelved in
our office. To this end, we do surveys of all sorts across all of our sites at
Mottisfont, Stockbridge, Curbridge and New Forest, from detailed vegetation
surveys veteran trees, from butterflies and moths to birds, from various
invertebrates to reptiles and more detailed specific species surveys; but there
is always a hunger for more, to find more and know more and understand more and
this is in part why my desk looks like it has been vomited on by Springwatch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On this surveying note, I was
over on the Isle of Wight the other weekend helping PTES (People’s Trust for
Endangered Species) carry out dormice surveys at their site there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This site is booming with dormice, they
really seem to thrive here due to the management of the woodlands and coppice
and, I suspect in part, the lack of deer that have meant the understorey layer
of bramble and scrub is able to dominate and create thick, near impenetrable
areas around the younger coppices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dormice are arboreal and very rarely come down to the ground except to
hibernate, so if they have a lovely thick understorey they can run along in as
a highway, as well as lots of bramble flowers and fruits to feed on, it does
really well for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naturally, it is
into this thorny hellish mass we have to go and find the boxes to survey and as
usual we spend the two days staggering round playing Dr Livingstone before
emerging scratched, torn and bleeding, but usually triumphant, having found
several adorable dormice in the boxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vCMdxq8EPqjVhLSSCxjcy76nNXnbQ3NOxAzGhtH3eMsfpNgzi6v5ntT4jEwhhz9vu-c4lYQ-XEswL-J3m_DH1jJLu1vBXX__3P4c8m9XaPmdrnftTC8f4rgelAwBSOFDWR7tgQh3MbvW/s1600/P1000716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vCMdxq8EPqjVhLSSCxjcy76nNXnbQ3NOxAzGhtH3eMsfpNgzi6v5ntT4jEwhhz9vu-c4lYQ-XEswL-J3m_DH1jJLu1vBXX__3P4c8m9XaPmdrnftTC8f4rgelAwBSOFDWR7tgQh3MbvW/s320/P1000716.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAsnZfQBZdsxq2LJp6_u4pE6oSFuw7sWp1_s63oP_TESPPdwaKCWFPHfxyIe7aZhClWI8m_baNk5B5AWw-gfAF4yKHVHqmt-D2fV_UXlZmiw3cQWho8KpRbh_ulRmHI1MKeCqguIEKTC1/s1600/WP_20160522_10_39_07_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAsnZfQBZdsxq2LJp6_u4pE6oSFuw7sWp1_s63oP_TESPPdwaKCWFPHfxyIe7aZhClWI8m_baNk5B5AWw-gfAF4yKHVHqmt-D2fV_UXlZmiw3cQWho8KpRbh_ulRmHI1MKeCqguIEKTC1/s320/WP_20160522_10_39_07_Pro.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable, fat, half torpid dormouse...looks proper snug!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAIrPCVAlhIaqzxK7Jl2woKwqe0b9rwbq9FJFTgRFhvNatVAvL6MbYw9adnyANXUDh6OSNquUNPz4xrpi14DRRQvK5TJhiHJWe-njI_9cDNckjmBL5CJVC1aLxl42deC0iT8bd8NmWwXr/s1600/WP_20160522_11_08_02_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAIrPCVAlhIaqzxK7Jl2woKwqe0b9rwbq9FJFTgRFhvNatVAvL6MbYw9adnyANXUDh6OSNquUNPz4xrpi14DRRQvK5TJhiHJWe-njI_9cDNckjmBL5CJVC1aLxl42deC0iT8bd8NmWwXr/s320/WP_20160522_11_08_02_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some boxes held nestfuls of wide mouthed greedy chicks...Blue Tit ones in this picture. They look like they are having choir practice!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The May weekend proved no exception and we had good results from all but
one area surveyed – many were in torpor as it was fairly cool so we got the
obligatory cute ‘dormouse asleep curled up’ photos that endear so many people
to these animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found 29 in total
over the weekend which sounds fairly low but is quite normal for May – come
September and often October (if it stays mild) the count can treble or more as
these are the months we find most of the boxes populated with dormice families;
some furless ‘pinky’ babies no more than a few days old, right up to families
of almost weaned young who all explode out the box into the survey bag like
identical bouncing jelly beans that just tempt you to steal one away in your
pocket (I don’t, really).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp22rX7B6P1XYdtndbP1w-uj3ajrXAvypbYm_noz9a3eWmsfL_Hr-aHeWai9141kDdFKWN3oUj8gdE87mUwKVbn8DqnFHJ32xZEne2SgV-nAg0_CDpsH3qgT-7LvwcUzIXO_DJYgW4Bj39/s1600/WP_20160522_10_37_27_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp22rX7B6P1XYdtndbP1w-uj3ajrXAvypbYm_noz9a3eWmsfL_Hr-aHeWai9141kDdFKWN3oUj8gdE87mUwKVbn8DqnFHJ32xZEne2SgV-nAg0_CDpsH3qgT-7LvwcUzIXO_DJYgW4Bj39/s320/WP_20160522_10_37_27_Pro.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Couldnt resist the sweetness of this torpid one...air kiss!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other surveys ongoing at the
moment include breeding birds, Nightjar, butterflies, reptile, vegetation,
damsel and dragon flies and glow worms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Damsel and Dragonfly surveys I have set up with some volunteer
experts who are proceeding to survey our wet meadow ditches for all species but
especially to include Southern Damselfly which inhabits here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some have been spotted out already which is
great news and I am hoping the warmer weather coming in next week will
encourage a boom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pyVv9mq7Oa_GHNYoRYwdii7Jn2VxB4gn5VY0Porx7lw8L5qjXoyZ6P2qIt9vcG4_ozikDvFgUxwfx-naKjP5YoCOBMukNwfm9rLDj2xvL58I9mYAqxUeu6n1Irc0YW3NpdFfEjtpnZFX/s1600/IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pyVv9mq7Oa_GHNYoRYwdii7Jn2VxB4gn5VY0Porx7lw8L5qjXoyZ6P2qIt9vcG4_ozikDvFgUxwfx-naKjP5YoCOBMukNwfm9rLDj2xvL58I9mYAqxUeu6n1Irc0YW3NpdFfEjtpnZFX/s320/IMG_0403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like looking for a blue needle in a rush stack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The glow worm surveys are
something I set up last year for the first time, on Stockbridge Down, and are
to begin at the week of the New Moon in June (very pagan sounding).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year we had a low June count then a
massive increase in numbers for the July count so it will be interesting to see
if the same thing occurs this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
again a team of staff and volunteers will be creeping round in the dark trying
not to fall down rabbit holes or walk into trees or cattle, all in the name of
ecology….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nMl4pzYTA8qUWdYRtPAH5wLTdGbElaxb6I9v716mh-zHLW7kHp0YL8XL7EZmqvXwTT8wsUPYXjKcY0PYDC19YiosN78DuRFNUXDdaDELeSM4oZvDrNEqmEsdjbXrWgfwZXY0FbYslNMS/s1600/IMG_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nMl4pzYTA8qUWdYRtPAH5wLTdGbElaxb6I9v716mh-zHLW7kHp0YL8XL7EZmqvXwTT8wsUPYXjKcY0PYDC19YiosN78DuRFNUXDdaDELeSM4oZvDrNEqmEsdjbXrWgfwZXY0FbYslNMS/s320/IMG_0384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Follow the light...glow worm doing its thing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elsewhere on the Down, where the
Turtle Doves are purring, I met with Andy Barker of Butterfly Conservation to
have a butterfly spotting session and discuss more management for our species,
especially the Duke of Burgundy and Pearl Bordered Fritillary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In May alone I found 20 different butterfly
species emerged on the Down so the species diversity seems to be doing pretty
well so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both the Dukes and the
Pearls are doing well in patches on the Down, the Dukes especially seem to be
more widespread across the site than before but it is always a fragile
population and so I would like to do works that will help increase their
habitat and improve their stronghold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
are looking at bring back some of the larger, over mature Hazel back into a
coppice rotation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a patch of
Hazel down near the lower carpark that has not been but in many years and is
essentially a barrier between the current coppiced Duke area and the main
Down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By cutting this older stuff and
bringing it back into a rotation, it will allow for an extension of the habitat
such butterflies require, including young coppice, Violet and cowslip ground
flora, glades and shaded edges and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This will also benefit other species too, as the previously over shaded
seed bank in the soil is able to receive the light and burst into life and this
could give us a whole range of wonders that will be good for other species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such work could also benefit some rare pot
beetles which were once known to be present on site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had three of the UK’s most threatened
species here back when the last internal biosurvey was carried out (1998) and
they usual require young scrub like hazel to live on, so again, bringing the
coppicing back into rotation will benefit them, should they still be found to
be here –our next internal biosurvey (hopefully next year) will let us know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was in our Juniper stand area yesterday
fixing a lid onto one of the Juniper seed cages that we use to encourage
natural regeneration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony, our loyal
volunteer made another 6 cages for me this year and we installed them back in
April under a new set of berry bearing branches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However I found one with the lid completely
mangled and another with a lid missing a few weeks later (even more weeks later
I found the missing lid in some bushes across the site, some berk’s idea of a
laugh no doubt).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judging by the hoofprints
and cowpats around the mangled lid and the dislodged cage, my Sherlock instincts
flew to the fore of my mind and I deduced that the cattle must have been to
blame, no doubt using it as a scratching post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tony re-fixed the lid for me and I went yesterday to reinstall it to its
rightful place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I knelt by the cage
and sorted out my drill bits, I suddenly heard the bushes behind me rustle and
heard a sound that no lady wants to hear when out alone in the countryside;
just over my shoulder a huffing puffing heavy breathing….I whipped round, armed
with my drill to find myself face to face with not a pervert, but the cattle
herd who had oozed out the bushes like silent ninja’s and come to
investigate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMvu1pmP1SzrMnAiDOhMrv-aYa6wdcwXGGE9uKloJfVYXHjFqSW9YbIzFcKC9QQilpgjRw7wFwgQh3AO9xAOBXHj4wKJIVtGVts2-5Skp5TDa3IpFyhOO7501pDiFPIFK1hyphenhyphenwM66o_Fxw/s1600/P1000743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMvu1pmP1SzrMnAiDOhMrv-aYa6wdcwXGGE9uKloJfVYXHjFqSW9YbIzFcKC9QQilpgjRw7wFwgQh3AO9xAOBXHj4wKJIVtGVts2-5Skp5TDa3IpFyhOO7501pDiFPIFK1hyphenhyphenwM66o_Fxw/s320/P1000743.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What do these taste like then?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxDRuv7Br1-PbQmbQ87KiLKzBxD2m9KfODtbnzWNoC2M7xbYjjD7vBSTzBn1RzzYgGICHU3sTMA-0-Mg7ZV1if_7guRvxuOiZdkgfJK9pRVEOTzHExFmCKWVAvw-zxtGoUdc3nyUALPYr/s1600/P1000741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxDRuv7Br1-PbQmbQ87KiLKzBxD2m9KfODtbnzWNoC2M7xbYjjD7vBSTzBn1RzzYgGICHU3sTMA-0-Mg7ZV1if_7guRvxuOiZdkgfJK9pRVEOTzHExFmCKWVAvw-zxtGoUdc3nyUALPYr/s320/P1000741.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grazing round the Juniper </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They kindly slobbered all
over my tools during their investigation and then one took my box of screws in
his mouth and dragged it to the floor spilling them everywhere- helpful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took all the saliva covered tools back off
of them, crossly telling them what I thought of their DIY skills but in reality
I was pleased to see them in the Juniper area – means they are helpfully
munching the scrub regrowth here (less for me to spray) and keeping grasses
like the brachypodium from dominating, thus allowing a greater floristic and
herbal diversity to come through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
indeed the marjoram in particular has begun to grow up now, all be it not in
flower for a while yet, but the leaves emit their gorgeous smell when you
crunch through them walking, or pinch them between your fingers – mmmm herbal
heaven!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h51dMFEHhFyAOCNIE9tRagpzuiVSoxncYHYkQ6i2uHD13yBkaFiD9m6YFjS20T88NXecSUVXeWzVNawgniOcvkyf4pOaM-kwYnCp4f9urznjX1p8rd_11gpKAYuc34_pTvqOQQH22Qn3/s1600/WP_20160602_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h51dMFEHhFyAOCNIE9tRagpzuiVSoxncYHYkQ6i2uHD13yBkaFiD9m6YFjS20T88NXecSUVXeWzVNawgniOcvkyf4pOaM-kwYnCp4f9urznjX1p8rd_11gpKAYuc34_pTvqOQQH22Qn3/s320/WP_20160602_002.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marjoram </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The two vigilante sheep that
stubbornly remained on the Leckford slope after I moved the rest of the flock
have finally fallen foul of my many tricks to catch them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end, after the best part of a week, it
was an entire 25kg bag of nuts that tempted them into the corral whilst I walked
away pretending not to look. Their tummies finally overcame their fear and they
wandered in and started gobbling, whilst I hit the gate home, penned them up
and brought the truck in with the sheep trailer attached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I had to repeat the process of putting
the bag of nuts in the trailer to get them in before securing them up finally
and driving them round to the NT slope and the rest of the flock – they don’t like
to make things easy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still they seemed
happy enough with being chauffeured, they peered out the sides of the trailer
calmly observing the view and occasionally whickering softly to each other, no
doubt playing ‘I Spy’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WWWTgwYdyJP8tdMBv-bBM9rToufuM-O1nS73V5Gd742-6pBe9jfov2aVahQ7Azz6nmN79__j-rWdQw0qjKMW3AjKdq15kjTUoTrMv42uSDjNHeEx3aQDLMAh0R9EEs-92eYnZItOtoSk/s1600/WP_20160523_10_11_58_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WWWTgwYdyJP8tdMBv-bBM9rToufuM-O1nS73V5Gd742-6pBe9jfov2aVahQ7Azz6nmN79__j-rWdQw0qjKMW3AjKdq15kjTUoTrMv42uSDjNHeEx3aQDLMAh0R9EEs-92eYnZItOtoSk/s400/WP_20160523_10_11_58_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Ere Mavis, this is a rum do, ain't it?'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elsewhere across our estate we
have been spraying around our tree plantations and spreading mulch at their
bases to help prevent weeds growing up – Ryan and the volunteers have worked
especially hard on this, heaving wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow across the
planting area to each individual tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
log producing business is booming and now its BBQ season, the charcoal burns
have begun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The June weed cut will
commence next week, meaning river keeper Neil will become more amphibian than
mammal for entire period, and all the while, the survey season goes on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr4xNwUmtkcTPWAELflkvs4aYSvgXc9RYfDcwrsqlQiWADwU4Hio18KZqfphrU_bfEBJIZX-ZGYZY9cwB-dExDBz45ZIjYI7TmasJln2RIQKGphm9cJuJybCxlgr7YfZOCJfDueuUernw/s1600/WP_20160520_11_36_27_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr4xNwUmtkcTPWAELflkvs4aYSvgXc9RYfDcwrsqlQiWADwU4Hio18KZqfphrU_bfEBJIZX-ZGYZY9cwB-dExDBz45ZIjYI7TmasJln2RIQKGphm9cJuJybCxlgr7YfZOCJfDueuUernw/s320/WP_20160520_11_36_27_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghostbusters outfit - all kitted up for chemical spraying round the tree's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Getting out my truck in the staff carpark the
other day, I stood and watched a female chaffinch flitting around nearby with a
beakful of food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hopped and
fluttered from stem to stem among the grass and I figured perhaps the nest was
nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she darted down into the
walled pit that surrounds the cess pit (nice) and flew back up empty
beaked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I peered over the edge to see if
I could spot the nest but saw instead a fat, fluffy and rather grumpy looking newly
fledged chaffinch chick, which she had been feeding. The chick fluttered up
over the wall and came to rest plumply among the nettle stems, looking like a
disgruntled teenager that was being finally forced to make his own meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mum cheeped from a nearby perch to encourage
the youngster further and after watching them for a bit and seeing the little
one flutter around getting used to its wings, I left them to it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW4SeSj8mye0PxUo_AXvhlM3gf2G514hABrsLUaPhfxHyf5WNqNmCADlHjMnB6DRqHPo4u38FoiQ25wDMTRboBAgIOr6u0o4KKhxmhpmnNgBNNtu8PIV2SG01gQfwxzEFEgExLuz__y3W/s1600/P1000731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW4SeSj8mye0PxUo_AXvhlM3gf2G514hABrsLUaPhfxHyf5WNqNmCADlHjMnB6DRqHPo4u38FoiQ25wDMTRboBAgIOr6u0o4KKhxmhpmnNgBNNtu8PIV2SG01gQfwxzEFEgExLuz__y3W/s320/P1000731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a chaffinch, but a very vocal Dartford Warbler who i watched for some time the other day in the New Forest, flitting round calling - they have such a sweet grumpy sound to them, its unmistakable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, as obsessed as I am with
homebrew, I should probably mention that the cider that I produced last year,
using apples from across our estate woodlands and orchards has been
tested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee’s chum took some to test on
a special machine thing (too technical for me) and it came back as reading as
8.07% - what a result!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like a proud
mother being told her child is a prodigy and so was very pleased that all the
hard work paid off into something that tastes good and has as strong a kick to
it as I imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Survey season – summer
season – cider season – all are one glorious stretch of warm sunny days in the
great outdoors. Cheers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeTFr03OnuviwtnECBUeerhetT5N12JF6P16FZMKpc7TPdQVoxMYtw8Uss7eJ31Y8hDkb4TcnMU2SjD4DsnKR22xxertSqln-o8wcTKj1zr62ouy1qvhb8WbOSjhgUniLxD_neS-5XNpt/s1600/WP_20150826_17_02_48_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeTFr03OnuviwtnECBUeerhetT5N12JF6P16FZMKpc7TPdQVoxMYtw8Uss7eJ31Y8hDkb4TcnMU2SjD4DsnKR22xxertSqln-o8wcTKj1zr62ouy1qvhb8WbOSjhgUniLxD_neS-5XNpt/s320/WP_20150826_17_02_48_Pro.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the way from tree...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1ReEXtcFcFzB6hGN7kKrZf5lptyzhu7seDrG-sMFIWTu3zATWS1QT3WzYifzaTWOWbMCbJuYK0d7ixdtoTpFimG6rsFvTHyWdsSHpe5uBuNI7gpUIaVHCGsVN2ayktTgc-7rcURf8n60/s1600/WP_20151205_16_54_09_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1ReEXtcFcFzB6hGN7kKrZf5lptyzhu7seDrG-sMFIWTu3zATWS1QT3WzYifzaTWOWbMCbJuYK0d7ixdtoTpFimG6rsFvTHyWdsSHpe5uBuNI7gpUIaVHCGsVN2ayktTgc-7rcURf8n60/s320/WP_20151205_16_54_09_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to table - and gullet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-38604926717921567962016-05-20T17:11:00.000+01:002016-05-20T17:11:05.981+01:00Bats, badgers and butterflies...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Boom! It’s that fabulous time of year when the natural world
has quite literally exploded with colour, light and life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hedgerows are thick and green, the trees
are all wearing their new leafy crowns and wildflowers are popping up in vast
expanses creating a visual display that is a wonder to behold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stockbridge Down, always one of the most
glorious of our sites for wildflower variety and colour, has begun displaying
its beauties with Milkwort, Horseshoe vetch, Speedwells, Black Medick
(confusingly named as the flowers are actually yellow; I think the seeds are
black), Primrose, Wild Strawberry, Cowslips and so much more, with so much more
to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Salad Burnet has
regenerated with the season and consequently there is a lovely fresh cucumber
smell as you walk around on it which makes me think of gin and tonics….The Black
Medick makes me chuckle as it looks like clusters of tiny yellow pacmans’ all
bustling together whilst the Cowslips make me smile as they have proliferated
hugely this year – I’ve not seen so many, so wide spread across the Down in my
few years here and this of course is great news for one little butterfly in
particular; the Duke of Burgundy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkUaMdggFcvPqVh2xBdaL9HnaTvEVFmLNKWwjMfJOxmGR6v5tNhIu6_9Qpg8u251XawFabg0MLOBvcgoJp2lPJ-wVLtuYcrwzYNFeGC-2HlGZmN_YwklInHMBHCoqgFzkH_YI1gknW1jB/s1600/P1000548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkUaMdggFcvPqVh2xBdaL9HnaTvEVFmLNKWwjMfJOxmGR6v5tNhIu6_9Qpg8u251XawFabg0MLOBvcgoJp2lPJ-wVLtuYcrwzYNFeGC-2HlGZmN_YwklInHMBHCoqgFzkH_YI1gknW1jB/s320/P1000548.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicately coloured Milkwort</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
talked before of the coppicing and clearing work we have done on the down to
improve the habitat for this little butterfly, and how well it seems to have
worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well this year appears to be no
exception as I wandered down to our coppiced area the other day and within
minutes I saw not only Dukes, but Pearl Bordered Fritillaries, Grizzled and
Dingy Skippers (which incidentally seemed to have had a really good year on the
Down this spring; I have seen them everywhere!), Green Veined Whites, Holly
Blues, Orange Tips, Brimstone, Red Admirals, Small Coppers – a lot of species
for such a small area!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Duke was
hanging out down the far end by the Primrose patch which we had cleared round
in order to encourage its spread, so that was very pleasing to see that the
chap for whom all the work was being done – the Duke – was satisfied enough
with the result to make his territory there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the rest of the area were more Dukes – males and females (they sat
long enough and showed me their legs, the number of which is what tells the
sex) and the Pearls which were just so truly perfect in their daintiness and
vivid colour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I forget how much smaller
than other fritillaries the PBF’s are so each spring when I see them again I am
dazzled by their petite beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent
some time happily observing and snapping away on my camera, thrilled with the
continued health of this fragile population, before slowly wandering back to my
truck and back to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have also been
sent a splendid photo of PBF mating in this area which shows that we will have
a next generation on its way – the circle goes on! Many thanks to Mike Duffy
for sending me the photograph.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcKedcWgSuI_CfWsf39frN9Ek686hQFDTkhcbqNaUW6kU7b7sayA5G4JkGt8Ju4atHAzwV8iaHZvYB7-J2yia-vC8TttIH4jh-WZ_c1lguEN4E0z5I3MsY86OAm94-7XQa3EIrK4Eb51T/s1600/P1000525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcKedcWgSuI_CfWsf39frN9Ek686hQFDTkhcbqNaUW6kU7b7sayA5G4JkGt8Ju4atHAzwV8iaHZvYB7-J2yia-vC8TttIH4jh-WZ_c1lguEN4E0z5I3MsY86OAm94-7XQa3EIrK4Eb51T/s320/P1000525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new reign - fresh Duke of Burgundy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMVyxERzjH8448Uph6_7Xsu1vwY-ADp_1OXJpMYN22OMkmtONARYoUtCM6_j6P6GjAomRJWQdOokdNgV12k_z1NNWIOd8P2thtPcf-brOFnqiVjGRYCYZQJm8kaxBszC4LhKTaP-rpNCF/s1600/P1000538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMVyxERzjH8448Uph6_7Xsu1vwY-ADp_1OXJpMYN22OMkmtONARYoUtCM6_j6P6GjAomRJWQdOokdNgV12k_z1NNWIOd8P2thtPcf-brOFnqiVjGRYCYZQJm8kaxBszC4LhKTaP-rpNCF/s320/P1000538.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl Bordered Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQNZPjJCvAAsX81b5QhmJ5rbrNFwu7KTWTSuvRdUzSI3PaY3zaSOasRNMst3ZxmD0-np2GiLh1L5SewPphE0ZNONRr74Z3O70V7NRyq-jKe9rXQu2WWGt0d0N1bJJxrX4VQnK00E2tVcR/s1600/PBF-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQNZPjJCvAAsX81b5QhmJ5rbrNFwu7KTWTSuvRdUzSI3PaY3zaSOasRNMst3ZxmD0-np2GiLh1L5SewPphE0ZNONRr74Z3O70V7NRyq-jKe9rXQu2WWGt0d0N1bJJxrX4VQnK00E2tVcR/s320/PBF-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'room for one more?' PBF mating (Photo credit: Mike Duffy)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv_ZidWHIhaYyUjpu3Vq0lyo6fZVJfNwtJOUtSVOz8g6k1puP_o0SDyE6xA2eW2tRGWsgq9nYH5fVKTCan9e-KhKE-15Yi4ny-hB_eixT57WkbWW4WncLqzAJD6L5XRQnFlmdo4lS1WFQ/s1600/PBF-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv_ZidWHIhaYyUjpu3Vq0lyo6fZVJfNwtJOUtSVOz8g6k1puP_o0SDyE6xA2eW2tRGWsgq9nYH5fVKTCan9e-KhKE-15Yi4ny-hB_eixT57WkbWW4WncLqzAJD6L5XRQnFlmdo4lS1WFQ/s320/PBF-04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Mike Duffy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And whilst talking Dukes – I was on the Western slope of the
Down yesterday, with the sheep, and was absolutely head over heels chuffed to
spot a Duke there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is completely
the other side of the Down to the coppice colony and whilst I have seen them up
this far end before, I haven’t found them on this slope – and this slope has
had an invasion of cowslips this year and the general quality of the herb and
grassland has improved massively over the last couple of years with the sheep
grazing regime so I think we can thank our woolly wonders for this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realise one butterfly does not a colony
make, but I need to return on the next sunny day and have another look for more
– fingers crossed we have another good patch for these butterflies on this
Western edge of the site too as this will help encourage their spread over the
whole Down.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naturally I can’t mention the woolly wonders without
updating you on their progress of eating; they have mostly shed all their
winter wool now and are looking plump and sleek, with only a few of them still
sporting chunks of ragged wool which I can’t resist peeling off when I get
close enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walter remains a bit of a bolshie
boy at the moment although since shedding he has been less so – a scratch
around his face seems to pacify him more these days, with less head
butting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new five have begun to integrate
slightly with the flock and whilst we often still find them separate, we are
finding some of them in the main flock more often, or even one of the main
flock hanging out with the five – so allegiances are being made and renewed and
bonds are head-butted into establishment. Yesterday I moved the flock through
from the Leckford slope to the NT slope to begin their munching wonders on this
patch as they haven’t been here since December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I shook the bucket and bellowed to the horizon and soon enough a white
fluffy tidal wave of animals broke out of the scrub and followed me, screaming
for their nutty treats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I jogged ahead
of them to the dividing gate between the slopes and ran through calling all the
way and most of the flock followed me without question, their bellies bigger
than their suspicions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However in the
end two remained on the other side, unwilling to follow me through the gate –
one of which was a ewe who had had a sore foot for a few days and had obviously
not liked me turning her over to examine it and treat the cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So whilst the rest of the flock fell upon the
vegetation of the NT slope like Black Holes sucking in light particles (I could
pretty much hear their stomachs dancing with all the fresh new grub, not that
they were starved before!) the Vigilantes remain on the Leckford side for now,
until I can lure them close enough to either drag through or coax back to their
ovine family. Never simple with these animals!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So if you are walking on the Western slope of the Down over the coming
months, please pay attention to the signs in every carpark and on every gate,
detailing the flocks’ location, and keep dogs under control around them – I really
don’t want to lose any to dog attacks this year…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Incidentally whilst on the Down yesterday as well as
spotting that Duke on the sheep slope, Dylan and I were lucky enough to hear,
on the wind, the purring of a Turtle Dove – hooray!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my bird surveyors had heard one the week
before and so I was very happy to hear one myself, first one of the summer and
know that they had made it safely back from the continent for at least one more
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even managed to spot it,
sitting at the very top of a Birch tree which is the first time I’ve ever seen
one – normally it’s a hearing thing only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Things like this just enhance how much I love this time of year – first sightings/hearing
of wildlife and flora which demonstrate that the habitat work you slog through
in the winter months really does make a positive impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing beats seeing the species benefit and
inhabit the site as a result.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I spent some time last week surveying Damselflies in Long
Lash, our wetland meadow area at Mottisfont.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Home to a series of wetland peat ditches which in turn are home to
various species of Dragon and Damselfly including the Southern Damselfly, I took
the first opportunity I could spare to go and see if anything had emerged with
the recent spate of warm weather. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
was the area we had removed vegetation and peat from over the winter in order
to maintain the water flow in the ditches, which is important for the Southern
Damselfly (and the peat matter, you will remember, went to Stockbridge Marsh to
fill in the eroding inlets).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plodded through the long grass to one of the
pond areas and before I had even fully arrived at the water’s edge, all I could
see…were damselflies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flashes of colour
and iridescence flitted between the stems before my eyes, glinting like
precious jewels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Azure Blue’s looking
like tiny, fragile vivid blue twigs, drifting gently between the rushes, Large
Red Damselflies gleaming like fire, Banded and Beautiful Demoiselle polished
and shiny to the point of incredibility, Four Spotted Chaser Dragonflies
patrolling the area like gold plated soldiers with the sun sparking off their
wings with every wing flap – oh! It was just magical, I felt like I had fallen
into wonderland where all the colours were enhanced and surreal and it hit me,
more than it has ever done before, just how stunning Damsel and Dragonflies
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnfJOCaxWPDaeYMtZaHMiMqQNgJiJNb3wps6eGah0KlNuI11HSIh7v7Slv1HIslxc3Amxvu9_JYHPtWWeX6cWzWHBsR9sgULc4EDvO-LMVcyGt2lQ4oXakr0RD60tm5eJ5tzB12LaDvbM/s1600/P1000630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnfJOCaxWPDaeYMtZaHMiMqQNgJiJNb3wps6eGah0KlNuI11HSIh7v7Slv1HIslxc3Amxvu9_JYHPtWWeX6cWzWHBsR9sgULc4EDvO-LMVcyGt2lQ4oXakr0RD60tm5eJ5tzB12LaDvbM/s320/P1000630.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banded Demoiselle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoNpIfPizmnSenOFzvPNndmMl4nlO_-t8yJWe5uStEsBSNMeHrx05p6YBNPjstPBv1gXOxKljs27aW2jCDkTvi1fO4cSlPjpyQXo7GMrw4hjW7yTTh_2NuodxQesnGmyxsQHc5roTALxB/s1600/P1000593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoNpIfPizmnSenOFzvPNndmMl4nlO_-t8yJWe5uStEsBSNMeHrx05p6YBNPjstPBv1gXOxKljs27aW2jCDkTvi1fO4cSlPjpyQXo7GMrw4hjW7yTTh_2NuodxQesnGmyxsQHc5roTALxB/s320/P1000593.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four Spotted Chaser</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnem1GCwZLRvilozKkd29KISJHHTKItJ3_bGlIEXp0UPh0bET9BeKDu107pdwtRycZ0jHhzize1GoD20FL7jBBMixyEMIqq-K-sp4lZwI9VrH8JjELRxQ9gnYrRSTNFhv6j5BCHUMnS5j/s1600/P1000608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnem1GCwZLRvilozKkd29KISJHHTKItJ3_bGlIEXp0UPh0bET9BeKDu107pdwtRycZ0jHhzize1GoD20FL7jBBMixyEMIqq-K-sp4lZwI9VrH8JjELRxQ9gnYrRSTNFhv6j5BCHUMnS5j/s320/P1000608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And closer....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2fANAxdHJ70ZaqEQFgUM2a3lwgHzvI8yhJro1RNmsBCiO_lX8nY8VhKnFluDycNIlg9jGTISZqRiMB7qf9OFI4dao6J_HsuyByk_3oDvJZteH64kCbyPfqnVTG8NzFNla_0R1RyI8l9D/s1600/P1000613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2fANAxdHJ70ZaqEQFgUM2a3lwgHzvI8yhJro1RNmsBCiO_lX8nY8VhKnFluDycNIlg9jGTISZqRiMB7qf9OFI4dao6J_HsuyByk_3oDvJZteH64kCbyPfqnVTG8NzFNla_0R1RyI8l9D/s320/P1000613.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Red Damselflies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sounds silly, as they are obviously
beautiful and colourful but something about that moment watching so many
luminous bodies shimmering around, and just how brightly they caught the sun
just really brought it home to me and I stood there, with a massive grin on my
face taking photos and observing them either first hand or through binoculars to
help with ID.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about ten minutes of
this warm, multi-coloured dream, I suddenly realised that I had followed the
latest Four Spotted Chaser through my binoculars over to the Wild Play area and
so I was now essentially a random lone figure standing in a field grinning
inanely whilst staring at the wild play area (full of children) through binoculars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hastily diverted my gaze back to the pond
and hoped the parents in the play area didn’t think I was anyone untoward….haven’t
heard of any complaints yet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrc7lKOWVq7Xa58hL0D0QahigK3jKD8IERN3CvWLvFLW5x0PNSW7AU6C-fjrVONMONWZs3WZYspO_b07KMX_ASnBMK2Cbiq12cgrSvfMCzSJamABcMIlM1udEnIklJb_QAnhA9lB3Q7v0/s1600/P1000619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrc7lKOWVq7Xa58hL0D0QahigK3jKD8IERN3CvWLvFLW5x0PNSW7AU6C-fjrVONMONWZs3WZYspO_b07KMX_ASnBMK2Cbiq12cgrSvfMCzSJamABcMIlM1udEnIklJb_QAnhA9lB3Q7v0/s320/P1000619.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'This looks like a good spot'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiu7WUQ1G9uElDVj5Q92x6CQM4A5RFGEba67lc7ewnEAWrBJneD84mHDpWefeqiaZfTa4Ye1TSPfditnN4G4FKg0RRgKw336wKauQaRF9ix9nm5j38xWsltf6HOM6ITvh8p8vwAywGl-O/s1600/P1000620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiu7WUQ1G9uElDVj5Q92x6CQM4A5RFGEba67lc7ewnEAWrBJneD84mHDpWefeqiaZfTa4Ye1TSPfditnN4G4FKg0RRgKw336wKauQaRF9ix9nm5j38xWsltf6HOM6ITvh8p8vwAywGl-O/s320/P1000620.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'I say, do you mind if we join you?'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-9K8UswHDQOfWqkMSNRplapx-S_fBGl4WsKhdjhSmY542yQvtzpeEKWQ9ZOn4o2yrcOcGDjQnjgL2ULs8cOwNbRNHZfnH0cR9Hh0ogEsIdSd3cmSSAghYXvDdzNQHJDVuOO2PdGr_vpa/s1600/P1000621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-9K8UswHDQOfWqkMSNRplapx-S_fBGl4WsKhdjhSmY542yQvtzpeEKWQ9ZOn4o2yrcOcGDjQnjgL2ULs8cOwNbRNHZfnH0cR9Hh0ogEsIdSd3cmSSAghYXvDdzNQHJDVuOO2PdGr_vpa/s400/P1000621.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room for three pairs! Ovipositing females whilst males guard (two large red couples, one Azure blue couple)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I shall leave you now, with a final few photos of things
that seem to have ignored their nocturnal tendencies and have been out and
about in the daytime, which is unusual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
is of a Brown Long Eared bat that spent an afternoon flying and hunting round
the Abbey grounds, shortly after the weather finally turned warm – I believe,
as it had been cold for so long, that it took its chance to grab a snack in the
warmer weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It flitted from tree to
tree, flying low over the grass catching bugs which it then sat and gobbled
from its paws!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1Vpw93aWKOLnAJ_xNTP1xDU7LRH-vKsN7rr5YQw4y5zs3KFji7F5KS2E4aTbxxNTKomtUM6jyWhcbi62hOyxt7-Nzxm9RY2C_Iz2d27XR0FdUK5W7rbtMVE8i5ErUvLWo9BOADXF42r8/s1600/P1000516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1Vpw93aWKOLnAJ_xNTP1xDU7LRH-vKsN7rr5YQw4y5zs3KFji7F5KS2E4aTbxxNTKomtUM6jyWhcbi62hOyxt7-Nzxm9RY2C_Iz2d27XR0FdUK5W7rbtMVE8i5ErUvLWo9BOADXF42r8/s320/P1000516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a breather</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaqEW6CxRFA4Msu8mFG74URfzSJV7v7Sg_MspTq9GoFr2i5EZOJKIrzadoUxd12fbX2u0Zr9rb5xuobeT_llP7rZfDvp2mvkPktmy-Buvl-v90k1pkBvhdNahyguRfc_noIJZtNImyRrj/s1600/P1000518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaqEW6CxRFA4Msu8mFG74URfzSJV7v7Sg_MspTq9GoFr2i5EZOJKIrzadoUxd12fbX2u0Zr9rb5xuobeT_llP7rZfDvp2mvkPktmy-Buvl-v90k1pkBvhdNahyguRfc_noIJZtNImyRrj/s640/P1000518.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to see in the pic, but its actually eating a bug that its holding in its feet - face down munching!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The other was of a fat badger cub on our estate, who I found
happily snuffling and rooting and digging for worms and snails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seemed oblivious to my presence and
consequently I sat, only feet away, and watched her (or he) for about half an
hour whilst she gobbled her fill of worms, snouting them out with her nose then
snapping them up spaghetti style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t
help but laugh at the thought of the mother badger, asleep in her sett, whilst
this little chubber had popped out for a midday snack!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFb_O5KrKExc0vizv5gBEaSb2UtYTUzKQdiWU2St7Ck1iRA2UcVxMD_hAblBh5omKsAr847ikBSPnJDc_DWS1vaq1eY8Vmf_9o1w317SSsecAo-5VE1vqY35On-gEd1hzcjeFpGEueoJm/s1600/P1000638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFb_O5KrKExc0vizv5gBEaSb2UtYTUzKQdiWU2St7Ck1iRA2UcVxMD_hAblBh5omKsAr847ikBSPnJDc_DWS1vaq1eY8Vmf_9o1w317SSsecAo-5VE1vqY35On-gEd1hzcjeFpGEueoJm/s320/P1000638.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What 'choo looking at? Emerging from a rabbit hole after crunching snails...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe2MPupZM_-CC-QT54ZyLyOatK4lKro3c1n0bLWCavf_OB1zVoE0rZQVSVkjQaER6mpt0FhoAcmE6Hd2QrVMXwutbEjY3EZqZQTTEU_RlqvoLYFp3jSGtCJUM2dKlCQRhJVfFaR4DSMmX/s1600/P1000679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpqkKfoZ4xZd1Ow5TkaUDjhi9oDJJ8oP-n3fYWp31CN9EgzSyzFWyQ3vxyuKwp-4zjeDgM7MbV4_D38jYksciAm9ki8kkhyphenhyphenwUdmF16f7EBmhyphenhyphenvoYxM9uedv4Mj1xmWsjs1Le67M3NgmY9/s1600/P1000678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpqkKfoZ4xZd1Ow5TkaUDjhi9oDJJ8oP-n3fYWp31CN9EgzSyzFWyQ3vxyuKwp-4zjeDgM7MbV4_D38jYksciAm9ki8kkhyphenhyphenwUdmF16f7EBmhyphenhyphenvoYxM9uedv4Mj1xmWsjs1Le67M3NgmY9/s320/P1000678.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snuffling and rootling for worms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ40RJthhVZIcbFlJ-blR_y39yHGlpFPuZDxDtIykRw68tKHXdsjyAZlCnZ5W3eeAg61DN27LPtlHjB4m2pD2eCHo6YGaKXkUMnBCeeUBt0qhCvLI1zAtaexoSW_7u87S2UWyN6NJjXFu/s1600/P1000676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ40RJthhVZIcbFlJ-blR_y39yHGlpFPuZDxDtIykRw68tKHXdsjyAZlCnZ5W3eeAg61DN27LPtlHjB4m2pD2eCHo6YGaKXkUMnBCeeUBt0qhCvLI1zAtaexoSW_7u87S2UWyN6NJjXFu/s320/P1000676.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6uzUiB9MIhK_E_EsbZgVaV6Ljrx6EcjncAeS1UeTcLNcU-FEyrWk3vcMV-Hu87nOvuRDtgQoIbmAufSIGpXQ7IGUFNFgbrlR0BshfVHFkpai1_mEZAmInIC0_PP0pvsYp7Nnx3bS_h_-/s1600/P1000660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have films of both creatures too but they were too large
to upload so you will just have to enjoy the photos – I have been very lucky in
happening to be in the right place at the right time to enjoy their company for
a short while and catch a rare and special glimpse of a part of the natural
world that so often stays hidden to our diurnal eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it’s a sign I’m becoming more feral...</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-60392469796846394922016-04-29T15:18:00.001+01:002016-04-29T15:18:57.139+01:00When Doves Cry<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Doves are indeed crying tears of Purple Rain as we have lost
yet another musical genius this year, with the lamented passing of Prince last
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truck radio spent the day
singing out all his classics in tribute, so that anywhere you went around
Mottisfont or Stockbridge that day, you may have heard ‘Raspberry Beret’ or ‘Thieves
in the Temple’ floating on the air.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anyway, back to the natural world and its wonders, and April
is almost out and May Day nearly upon us – and I flippin’ wish the weather
would catch up as I’m getting weary of feeling cold outside at work all the
time – this week has felt a Northerly wind whipping round our ears and fingers
and cutting the temperature in half, despite the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, despite the ongoing cool
temperatures, nature is still relentlessly marching into the season with all
its jewels coming out on show; Stockbridge Down now has the first wave of
Grizzled Skippers out, flitting and buzzing around low to the ground, in their
usual blink-and-you-miss-it flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was thrilled, as I always am, when I saw the first of them out last week and
spent some time bent over following their flight path and no doubt looking a
bit odd to any passers-by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Holly Blue
also came out to play, as well as lots of Orange Tips, and some Green Veined
Whites – this is the time of year when the butterfly survey sheet total doubles
with every passing week – hooray!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a great pic but they don't keep still for long! Grizzled Skipper</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another longed for arrival that blessed me with its presence
last week were the Swallows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
wandering along in the sun when suddenly, swooping, swirling and darting across
the fields and right in front of my nose, were the first pair of Swallows I’d
seen this year – and how happy I was to see them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They seemed to be gliding and dancing in
celebration at being home for the summer, never slowing down nor resting, but
endlessly, gracefully soaring high and low with their shiny blue-black backs
glinting in the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How I marvel at
these birds that have flown so far, for so long, crossing continents and seas
to make it back to our green and pleasant land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How I love to see them all again, perched on the telephone lines (where
did they gather before we put these lines in!?) discussing their journeys and reacquainting
themselves with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how I mourn
to see them, all too soon at summers end, back on the phone lines gathering and
getting ready to leave again, for warmer winter shores.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still, for now we can enjoy their arrival and know that it
signals that we are heading well through spring and beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have also begun foraging for the year, with
Ramsons' in full bloom at Curbridge Nature Reserve meaning I could take a small
supply of leaves to make Wild Garlic Oil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried making Wild Garlic Pesto last year but think I made it a bit too
strong…the taste stayed with me for days and everyone I spoke to seemed to wilt
at the garlic smell that I emitted!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Staying off that one for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Garlic Mustard is also popping up and so with the Ladies Smock that is
now out the Orange Tips will have plenty of plants to lay their eggs on. Also the 135 bottles of cider that i made last year, using apples scrumped from across our woodlands and orchards, are now a beautiful clear, sparkling gold and ready for drinking - going to be a happy summer!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic Mustard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramsons</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the beginning there was sludge....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now behold! Anyone for a pint?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This time of year marks, among other annual firsts, the
beginning of the fishing season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neil
our riverkeeper has spent the last few weeks leading up to it sprucing up the
fishing beats, cleaning the huts and restocking them, mowing, cutting and
clearing to ensure the rivers are looking beautiful and ready for the
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We manage our fishery and river
here in a way that is of benefit to conservation; whilst many rivers that are
owned by a fishery tend to have their river banks shorn to within an inch of
their life, with no bankside vegetation present in order to allow fishermen
ease of access to the river, we balance the best of both worlds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neil mows paths along the banks regularly so
that fishermen can indeed walk along and get to the river, but the bankside
vegetation is allowed to grow – reeds, rushes, sedges, and many water flowers
all thrive along the banks and provide great habitat for many bird species like
Water Rail, Moorhens and Coots, but also for mammals such as Water Vole and
Otter, who appreciate having bankside cover – especially the Water Vole who
nest in holes along the bank and need the vegetation as a cover to hide
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also means that the fish
themselves may lurk in vegetated fringes, or in the shade of an overhanging
tree which gives the fishermen a more natural and satisfying challenge when
fishing here and trying to lure them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This balance means that the wildlife benefit from the habitat and the
fishery benefits from having such a beautiful and diverse place to fish – the river
Test is one of the most famous chalk streams in the world of fly fishing and so
it doesn’t hurt that it has such beauty on top of such fame.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Talking of fish, you may remember the otter kill Salmon that
Neil and I found at the end of last year on the river bank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had taken it back to my Rot pile in the
carpark to allow it to decompose so that I could eventually get the clean skull
for my shelf of death, as it was a truly stunning specimen, with jaws like a
crocodile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pulled up in the carpark
the other day in time to see that Howard the gardener was digging out a drain
right where my Rot pile had been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
rushed over to see if all my dead things were ok and he kindly informed me that
Doug their garden volunteer had moved my Rot pile out of the way to another
corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also told me that when poor
Doug picked up the plastic bag which housed the rotting salmon, it tore and liquefied,
rotten fish poured down his trouser legs….they then had to hose him down with
disinfectant in the wash down area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
went over to the newly positioned Rot pile and checked they were all ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I found that the decaying salmon head
was able to be detached now from the rotten body so I pulled it off and left it
on the pile and then picked up the bag of mushy fish to throw away – and some
of the melted matter oozed out onto the floor and the SMELL that arose was
superbly vile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melted, rotten, fishy,
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just incredible in its
hideousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held the bag at arm’s
length and put it in the massive bins – and then spent the next few hours
repeatedly washing my hands to get the stench of mouldy salmon off of them – oh
the things we suffer for the Shelf of Death! (Sorry Doug).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Salmon head in progress....</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In my last post I mentioned our five newbie Wiltshire Horn
sheep that we had collected from Speltham Down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They spent a few weeks at Mottisfont in quarantine and then came the
sunny day that we were to take them to Stockbridge Down and their new
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I harangued most of the
countryside team into coming and helping me by standing at each hurdle, in order
to prevent the little horrors from leaping over the hurdles to freedom, as they
have been known to do when panicked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People didn’t seem too thrilled when I told them to stand against a
hurdle and watch out in case the sheep leapt for their faces – they’ve seen my
black eyes enough times to know I wasn’t kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However with everyone standing guard, and
Ryan backing the sheep trailer up, I managed to wrestle all five in to the back
(they never just walk in) and we shut them in and drove them off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once on the Down we offloaded the newbies
into the corral whilst the rest of the flock gathered outside the corral,
baaahing with curiosity at these new arrivals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We opened the corral gate and held our breath as the two woolly walls
met – would there be savage head-butting from Walter, who, until these newbies
arrived, had been our only male in the flock?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the end it was a bit of an anti-climax, with some nose sniffing going
on before the newbies headed off on their own into the horizon no doubt, I remarked
wryly to Ryan, to go and find any escape route they could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how prophetic my words turned out to be,
when my sheep looker the following day called to let me know all five newbies
were outside of the fenceline and relaxing on the other slope – the slope where
I had signs up telling dog walkers there were no sheep currently – argh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However I soon had them back on the right
side and the hole on the fence duct taped up until I could return with some
proper fencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Must be a breakout
record, not even 24 hours before they tore their way through the fence! Oh the
games we play….every day since they have been reported to be keeping separate from
the main flock, mainly because when they get close some of the older sheep
start attacking them with head-butts so I hope they sort the hierarchy out soon
and settle down together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe Walter
will take them under his woolly wing until they get big enough to fight their
own battles, but we shall see.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEito79fRsas5mNJ6E03VbT6I8Ctq0vf1rciYQ8WnE09VuRR46cMoH58VC-mVuypeGlXvToXxBzMTDYv9JwBxTintINMOkdwkLxNxq9kvdV5_7YQDqOuqbDxoHieT_j8CQ9dixa89GGIaSwo/s1600/WP_20160420_16_03_10_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEito79fRsas5mNJ6E03VbT6I8Ctq0vf1rciYQ8WnE09VuRR46cMoH58VC-mVuypeGlXvToXxBzMTDYv9JwBxTintINMOkdwkLxNxq9kvdV5_7YQDqOuqbDxoHieT_j8CQ9dixa89GGIaSwo/s320/WP_20160420_16_03_10_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing after their Great Escape...whilst I ran around looking for them grrrr!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi525xiL0UQR9KyCQw_v53WA0jLD4YtTudbcPEfHb-QA-wx00OCMckuZGkRxJWnI7HUckxhdZyyAxW6PCXB1auG4nkIcwblUnr9KxfsyPJyxWwLCr8eSRR54mEGWspCj9kjzjD5osDdfNTX/s1600/P1000497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi525xiL0UQR9KyCQw_v53WA0jLD4YtTudbcPEfHb-QA-wx00OCMckuZGkRxJWnI7HUckxhdZyyAxW6PCXB1auG4nkIcwblUnr9KxfsyPJyxWwLCr8eSRR54mEGWspCj9kjzjD5osDdfNTX/s320/P1000497.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My make-do fence repair of duct tape and dead wood - all i had on me at the time....properly fixed the next day.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now I mentioned a bit earlier about a Sahara trek I have
signed up to do, in November this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is 100km and I have decided on Water Aid as my charity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being that I work for a conservation charity
and donate regularly to human aid charities, I felt Water Aid was an important
one to cover as it is just so fundamental to human survival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three days without water and it’s Game Over
for us- and freshwater is a limited resource on this planet as it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst I have to be careful not to go all
preachy on people, I really think each and every one of us living in this
country should just remember how lucky we are that we can turn on a tap and get
safe drinking water straight away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t
have to gamble with our lives, or the lives of our children, and wonder if the
water we give them will lead to them dying of some waterborne disease – can you
imagine having to make that choice, roll that dice every time you wanted a
drink?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The statistics include horrific
figures such as 900 children under the age of 5 die EVERY DAY from diarrhoeal
disease which could be easily avoided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So if you feel strongly enough about this cause, or just want to send me
off into the back of beyond to see if I can ‘hack it’ and see just how sunburnt
my nose gets, then please read the full story and donate a few pennies via the
link below:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Cats100kmdeserttrek">www.justgiving.com/Cats100kmdeserttrek</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many, many thanks in advance – and enjoy that next glass of
cool, safe water!</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And so I shall leave you with a few pictures of how time
moves on - with the golden tide of the rapeseed fields flooding our horizons
already and the first tick of the season discovered on my arm the other day
(ugh).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eHGrDkHj1bv250cZt1pYXn6i8-tLBhfUALsRkB5RfnwOPud6VqAfcQKtnaN9VKOGfjOjuS20Bha1crkfP1N47NICQ_EUfElqCtrsEB9GBRAeE9HDTSNHxXIxzk14NU7kAYyoXkb0xXtw/s1600/InstagramCapture_6137fde0-2a7e-40fb-9fc3-fddab9280188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eHGrDkHj1bv250cZt1pYXn6i8-tLBhfUALsRkB5RfnwOPud6VqAfcQKtnaN9VKOGfjOjuS20Bha1crkfP1N47NICQ_EUfElqCtrsEB9GBRAeE9HDTSNHxXIxzk14NU7kAYyoXkb0xXtw/s320/InstagramCapture_6137fde0-2a7e-40fb-9fc3-fddab9280188.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rapeseed wave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40QdnwFVlaojNvbRhlj6nQ-zcehgDabDSZVHQ6gigboXzmPz0-7y2737FubNYKVQKINhmOuz4m_qBp21TjMATUXKeLO_krAHmJBYPKgXYRzSTicLsqN4vDwpmQfyAmWdUDC0yfWEXE8L3/s1600/InstagramCapture_29077e39-322e-4050-8aa9-1ca3f81137ca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40QdnwFVlaojNvbRhlj6nQ-zcehgDabDSZVHQ6gigboXzmPz0-7y2737FubNYKVQKINhmOuz4m_qBp21TjMATUXKeLO_krAHmJBYPKgXYRzSTicLsqN4vDwpmQfyAmWdUDC0yfWEXE8L3/s320/InstagramCapture_29077e39-322e-4050-8aa9-1ca3f81137ca.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first tick of the year, discovered in the shower - like a scene out of Psycho...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">May Day or Beltane is almost upon us – so go celebrate in
whichever way suits you best, skip around a May pole, put some Hawthorn blossom
in your hair or leap over the Beltane fires and follow your primordial
instincts as they dance you through this fertile time of year where nature is
reborn with every leaf bud and blossom, and the cycle begins once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Happy Beltane! </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-31687363138508783852016-04-15T17:10:00.003+01:002016-04-15T17:10:41.129+01:00Come one, come all.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘In April, come I will’ a</i>nd come they have, with the first Cuckoo
heard on one of our New Forest sites this week, heralding one of the seasonal <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>landmarks of the arrival of the migratory
birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The call of the Cuckoo always
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that hearing that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cuckoo, cuckoo</i>
signified that something special was beginning – I was obviously always
destined to work out in the seasons even from a young age!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another migratory bird that has
been spotted is the Osprey; Alan Snook, our bird surveyor and expert was lucky
enough to sight one flying over Mottisfont a few weeks ago, all be it up high
and heading North; they usually migrate up the Test Valley en route back to
their summer breeding grounds, having spent the winter in Africa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been lucky enough to see one once but
you do have to look up at the right time in the right place!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As well as the Cuckoo, I saw my
first Orange Tip out a few days ago – a sure sign that winter is behind us, as
they are one of the first butterfly species to emerge that have not
overwintered as an adult; the Orange Tip overwinter as a chrysalis and the
adults develop and emerge from this around early April. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orange Tip butterflies will then lay their
eggs on Garlic Mustard (Jack by the Hedge), Lady’s Smock and other Crucifers – you
may be able to spot them if you look hard enough, they are a tiny orange egg
laid on the underneath of the flower or leaf.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UqfcH7l6p_ErY4SCA6mMs_uxNCcfIak-giF4YnMC5isgGuDQoA-MeZCdlAq5-pUVicAk0Mw-_6c88KuZOcu1L1_ZOqJl5uKYz1F0tJ_FOgu0HRC-6b18Gn8NrmqO4b6tWp8E19vaHege/s1600/P1000404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UqfcH7l6p_ErY4SCA6mMs_uxNCcfIak-giF4YnMC5isgGuDQoA-MeZCdlAq5-pUVicAk0Mw-_6c88KuZOcu1L1_ZOqJl5uKYz1F0tJ_FOgu0HRC-6b18Gn8NrmqO4b6tWp8E19vaHege/s320/P1000404.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone enjoying the nectar</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s not only the fauna of the
country that is returning and waking up; the Blackthorn is blossoming a
beautiful creamy white, the Hawthorn is budding its lime green leaves and of
course, the Bluebells have burst into splendour, like a thick purple tide that
has crept <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>inexorably throughout our
woodlands and verges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you visit the
Mottisfont estate or Curbridge Nature Reserve within the next couple of weeks,
you will be richly rewarded by this visual display – which, when interspersed with
golden Celandines and silvery Wood Anemone, is truly glorious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was padding through one of our Bluebell
woods the other day and once again spotted the white Fallow deer standing amongst
the Bluebells, like a fairy-tale creature; this vision was swiftly shattered
when the whole herd caught wind of me and fled over the hill and out of sight –
bet that never happened to Snow White!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUs30vEF2sBqglWqWn1M8UBdOXeuuSgJGigaasY8Z7zB87_JWvhDuOrxFTJ7pAttl2UB0ZDY6ReOxS3BPun_JyPg_ftJGEPFt1zgWg-YUnrd54d6KDJ3Ge240gMserl_wZulA4mREOXWV/s1600/P1000466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUs30vEF2sBqglWqWn1M8UBdOXeuuSgJGigaasY8Z7zB87_JWvhDuOrxFTJ7pAttl2UB0ZDY6ReOxS3BPun_JyPg_ftJGEPFt1zgWg-YUnrd54d6KDJ3Ge240gMserl_wZulA4mREOXWV/s400/P1000466.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bejeweled Wings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nwaVbhz7XADabIucpnRP6UG6ctofB02uIu3OCDmGms3GEsUGpHUhCbLODNplRr-l3bCyKJJeqkoO_A-8ekNsfGWKyF-ESnx97pNu5CWfImzQpCiHOMwtrBjabGlWH3Epm-qr2VQDlU3U/s1600/P1000453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nwaVbhz7XADabIucpnRP6UG6ctofB02uIu3OCDmGms3GEsUGpHUhCbLODNplRr-l3bCyKJJeqkoO_A-8ekNsfGWKyF-ESnx97pNu5CWfImzQpCiHOMwtrBjabGlWH3Epm-qr2VQDlU3U/s320/P1000453.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking like lost sheep; our albino deer</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">April Fool’s Day also marked the
beginning of one of my favourite jobs for the year – the butterfly surveying
season!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I happily wandered round the
Stockbridge Down transect the other day, in warm sun and feasted my eyes on
what the site had to offer me after its winter hibernation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These surveys are not simply about drifting
around in the sun enjoying butterflies (although that is a big perk); they also
provide important data for both the regional and national database, as well as
allowing me to see how work we have carried out on site has benefited
species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, the scrub cleared
area we did over the winter will be a useful basking site for butterflies such
as Grizzled Skipper which requires bare areas and short turf for basking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cleared sites on Stockbridge also often
have Wild Strawberry as the first coloniser of the soil and this is one of the egg
laying plants of the Grizzled Skipper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the months pass other plants start creeping in such as Grasses, Marjoram,
Wild Thyme, Vetches and many more and these are all important for other species
of butterfly and invertebrates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the
scrub then slowly regrows it becomes a good area for ground nesting birds and
mammals to hunker down in and when it matures it benefits bird species like
Turtle Dove (who like the mature scrub clumps), Bullfinch (which we have in
good numbers here) and feeds the winter migratory flocks of birds who enjoy the
berries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all this comes from
clearing a patch of scrub that had become over mature and essentially a bit
derelict; nothing grew below it but moss, and the scrub itself provided no
understorey cover because it had got so tall and leggy trying to grow up to the
light against tis neighbours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large
percentage had died and so by clearing it all back, you can begin the cycle
again and watch each stage of clearance and growth benefit different inhabitants
of the Down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With the saying ‘When Gorse is
out of blossom, kissing is out of fashion’ in mind, the Down is very much a
romantic place all year round but especially in warm sunny weather <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when you can really <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>smell the Gorse flowers; a rich coconut scent
which is given off by the yellow flowers and is strongest in the heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can almost close your eyes and imagine
you are somewhere more tropical – until a gorse spine pricks you in the nose –
not romantic at all!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PUjyUrCRPdpnRU5i4sDYKdKJAgq6Icw3tHmAj7_F_xwFK_R9DGQGrXJhhmxUBzHQeTIHzAUAogxRUeXC5GEh3AZMJ84xHn3JAhXtCp5hFTP42k8A6E6Yv_gzaLMBLFHPhnn99L6TubX-/s1600/WP_20160413_11_33_11_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PUjyUrCRPdpnRU5i4sDYKdKJAgq6Icw3tHmAj7_F_xwFK_R9DGQGrXJhhmxUBzHQeTIHzAUAogxRUeXC5GEh3AZMJ84xHn3JAhXtCp5hFTP42k8A6E6Yv_gzaLMBLFHPhnn99L6TubX-/s320/WP_20160413_11_33_11_Pro.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whilst I waffle on about the
triumphs of spring, I mustn’t forget that since I last wrote we have had Storm
Katie blow its way across our shores; we lost a lot of trees throughout our
woodland estate, including softwoods, Oaks, Chestnuts and even a stunning
veteran Yew that was blown completely in half!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is still attached to the root plate however, and Yews are known for
their longevity so I am hoping for a phoenix tree phenomenon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were also hosting our Easter trail at
Foxbury over Easter Sunday and Monday, in basically the prelude and the
aftermath of Katie, as the worst of the storm came in Sunday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monday morning dawned bright and clear and
upon arrival at Foxbury we found nature had been fairly kind – but she had
decided to blow the event porta loo’s over!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still, one phone call to the company to come and replace them in time
for opening, a check round the tracks to ensure all fallen trees were clear and
the show could go on as it always must.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiykZ18i7iminD7tXsfeTRDqMIoT4NcTI2f55_2XjPXAGv3JVEU5u5IJ2bwWXMDyP0wqs44OGZeC6KLAmjezDSqf8p8248xkMBBduvZyTbbYQeEQNUd4p50PiYqP1xN7n6RVNNDw0BWKG/s1600/635947988534540993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiykZ18i7iminD7tXsfeTRDqMIoT4NcTI2f55_2XjPXAGv3JVEU5u5IJ2bwWXMDyP0wqs44OGZeC6KLAmjezDSqf8p8248xkMBBduvZyTbbYQeEQNUd4p50PiYqP1xN7n6RVNNDw0BWKG/s320/635947988534540993.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our blown in half Yew! (photo credit: Ryan Scott)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCP3lVJYhzdUSo_LiiOYMvTJ3-tZwri_Of2iEX8AavldAt_JKb2hroDmthmVEVxNflHcB4mTR4afLHEB1zttKtIPqYL8jkghjXxvl1WHrOX1WWJJVlCyaokyvbLo6GN8eVVxxlxaXdsGNQ/s1600/InstagramCapture_a027c881-5ca4-4e1e-b5c1-75664b808fde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCP3lVJYhzdUSo_LiiOYMvTJ3-tZwri_Of2iEX8AavldAt_JKb2hroDmthmVEVxNflHcB4mTR4afLHEB1zttKtIPqYL8jkghjXxvl1WHrOX1WWJJVlCyaokyvbLo6GN8eVVxxlxaXdsGNQ/s320/InstagramCapture_a027c881-5ca4-4e1e-b5c1-75664b808fde.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the other side (photo credit: Ryan Scott)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I may have mentioned previously
that we were getting some new sheep to bulk up the numbers on our flock of
Wiltshire Horn, and replace those we lose through age/dogs/illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pleased to announce, rather like a proud
mother, that we now have five new hoggets’ (one year old) who are currently
residing at Mottisfont in quarantine, before they join the main flock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ryan and I went to get them from Speltham
Down, where a lovely chap called Simon runs a community flock out on NT grassland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His flock are gorgeous – pedigree registered
Wiltshire Horn and basically spoilt, tame pets as Simon looks after them so
beautifully, with the help of Ian, another local inhabitant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They breed from their flock and then either
sell them alive to folk such as myself or slaughter them for meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Previously we have bought Walter the wether
and his sister from this flock so we know we are getting good quality animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simon always prefers to sell them living as
they do become rather like pets and he is happy to see them go somewhere else
to live on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does mean Ryan and I
faced the task of choosing the ‘lucky ones’ out of all the hoggets’ he had….after
a brief tussle in the pen choosing the right animals, we soon had three new
wethers (including twin boys Simon couldn’t bear to have slaughtered) and two
new pretty ewes in the trailer ready to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had a quick stop to admire the first of Simon’s new-born lambs and
then got on the road with a bleating trailer of slightly disgruntled
sheep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got to Mottisfont we unloaded
them into pen, dosed them with quarantine wormers just as a precaution and then
let them out and watched them all run away from us as fast as possible,
probably never to come near us again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whilst Simon’s sheep always come tame, they soon turn feral after they
have been with us a while – I think the others set a bad example!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are so small compared to the rest of the
flock and I feel a bit sorry for them when the time comes for them to fight for
their place in the hierarchy – Walter is being a bit bossy at the moment, head-butting
people in the leg on a regular basis, so I hope he isn’t too mean when the
newbies are introduced!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, that’s the
world of sheep for you….</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRoBWHG_R_6BSsJHG1qW3c-kyhbwXbPONJMJRR1poH4cVKQPkOYXZF_d-Lt1sAUteyw2MC5UBzU0di80dmwktQ9Mker9s-c3eQk4F6qAVzoAC7dJMMfWFArZzyYGlBQbMUGa-S6p5cO8d/s1600/WP_20160405_13_09_17_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRoBWHG_R_6BSsJHG1qW3c-kyhbwXbPONJMJRR1poH4cVKQPkOYXZF_d-Lt1sAUteyw2MC5UBzU0di80dmwktQ9Mker9s-c3eQk4F6qAVzoAC7dJMMfWFArZzyYGlBQbMUGa-S6p5cO8d/s320/WP_20160405_13_09_17_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdsnj3P0v4zNSIXKe_TD8Ps8p3lXyiyIgi5cbPq7xEKpAkTWYGLQ93r7dKmfxZrWoyowQH3DK6gZRGEhI_ubsAB8-7RzoLTkM6GY6_FWXreD0YXE7Sbt2pRENsR5J_RdskD5fdss6nbsq/s1600/InstagramCapture_6630f4d6-a153-4718-b0a5-ef0dc443292e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdsnj3P0v4zNSIXKe_TD8Ps8p3lXyiyIgi5cbPq7xEKpAkTWYGLQ93r7dKmfxZrWoyowQH3DK6gZRGEhI_ubsAB8-7RzoLTkM6GY6_FWXreD0YXE7Sbt2pRENsR5J_RdskD5fdss6nbsq/s320/InstagramCapture_6630f4d6-a153-4718-b0a5-ef0dc443292e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See how little they are!?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu1P5vucmtZasFZ3uWKQxA0LEftO38zx5joKgD7QUhqO_88PI3yob3CdPGTW0MeYuWtVvyty-7b6pT9ze2GKUB8Nf2R_LaHY47r71mJS2dPAPHhDJyonI8tvvAUTyo2Dcn-wy3Rm2a6Rh/s1600/InstagramCapture_6e274fbd-f542-4197-bfa2-ba68f0153b02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu1P5vucmtZasFZ3uWKQxA0LEftO38zx5joKgD7QUhqO_88PI3yob3CdPGTW0MeYuWtVvyty-7b6pT9ze2GKUB8Nf2R_LaHY47r71mJS2dPAPHhDJyonI8tvvAUTyo2Dcn-wy3Rm2a6Rh/s320/InstagramCapture_6e274fbd-f542-4197-bfa2-ba68f0153b02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soon have them eating out my hand again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpyfO9vHuyZKljN0M9v24QZwVuPOxxxLxKJyusQft2uO-4voXA95iqP_C4KmHxgLORUCduybeKB8tLgGd_fXFWTab_ZYqIqEp14M9kcGl76sDM1-7iB2-byH3TE75HW-Hgg9DFUbmKx4c/s1600/WP_20160415_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpyfO9vHuyZKljN0M9v24QZwVuPOxxxLxKJyusQft2uO-4voXA95iqP_C4KmHxgLORUCduybeKB8tLgGd_fXFWTab_ZYqIqEp14M9kcGl76sDM1-7iB2-byH3TE75HW-Hgg9DFUbmKx4c/s320/WP_20160415_002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its fleece shedding time!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I shall leave you with a picture I
got on Friday April Fool’s day, which was for me, a perfect way to end the
week; a Red Kite sat high in a tree for a good few minutes, seemingly
unbothered by me snapping away on my camera below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was spoilt with many photos before it
finally took off and left me content and happy at such a great way to welcome
in April and celebrate the end of the working week - TGIF!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsLHMKw9uDOnBZv96hCaJjV3kHBa7pNw_BAh5TD9qFcc58rpymOgNtjtx5jJpg_4CWM4HIVhAF0LjSKKb4FX0qaPkICq6QdmZjmffpsED52eZmcjJUTxY3SOvZTnBRa35qyZhBoqahd_p/s1600/P1000426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsLHMKw9uDOnBZv96hCaJjV3kHBa7pNw_BAh5TD9qFcc58rpymOgNtjtx5jJpg_4CWM4HIVhAF0LjSKKb4FX0qaPkICq6QdmZjmffpsED52eZmcjJUTxY3SOvZTnBRa35qyZhBoqahd_p/s320/P1000426.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-62068473157634544852016-03-17T17:09:00.001+00:002016-03-18T09:21:36.485+00:00High flight<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last time I wrote on this blog, I was sheltering from the
wild winds of Storm Imogen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, I sit
and write in the most glorious weather we’ve seen so far this year, with
cloudless blue skies, a glowing, burning sun and the smell of freshly cut grass
drifting in through the open window.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since I last wrote I have also been a bit off piste from our
countryside estate and been winter trekking in the High Atlas Mountains in
Morocco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7 days of trekking through
stunning snow covered mountain peaks and valleys, where icicles hung off every
rock face and the snow lay in thick drifts under a burning alpine sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole group conquered the highest summit
in North Africa (Mt Toubkal) on a sunny, clear but bitterly cold day, with a
wind chill of minus ridiculous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
myself and two others tackled the second highest summit (Ouanakrim) which was
slightly lower but more technical and involved ice axes, cramponing up and down
sheer icy slopes and climbing up rock faces whilst looking down into icy
ravines; my terrified, frozen fingers clinging to the rocks in fear, the wind
whipping ice and snow into our exposed faces and my mind filling with thoughts
of ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">if my mother could see me now!’ (</i>she’d
have more than kittens).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However once
past the terrifying bits (and being handed an avalanche monitor on day two, to
keep strapped to my body was certainly a slight downer) you got up to the lofty
peaks which felt like the ends of the earth and the top of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No human, animal or plant was in sight, just
miles of beautiful, carved out mountain terrain which stretched away below us
into the distance, towards the Sahara and the endless horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like we were the only people on the
planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR0U1dxujJZu_0Y5sb1fSTZWvkh0SKq6d65mUV14CO_UbBq_pZiV1S24QW4K3tWNRySgy1E_49DHoVC0Yqr44jbhVUm9OxI62NANc_9e97tOMj-7Fw-SM2M5Aj70o4A5Uh78GGZnGMGtx/s1600/10982491_10153541571542632_714506745913537006_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR0U1dxujJZu_0Y5sb1fSTZWvkh0SKq6d65mUV14CO_UbBq_pZiV1S24QW4K3tWNRySgy1E_49DHoVC0Yqr44jbhVUm9OxI62NANc_9e97tOMj-7Fw-SM2M5Aj70o4A5Uh78GGZnGMGtx/s320/10982491_10153541571542632_714506745913537006_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at the Top of the World! (Or North Africa anyway).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This fine clear weather lasted
only until the following day when we had to walk out the valley for five hours
in a white out blizzard, which was like nothing I’ve ever experienced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hat and buff froze around my face, my
contact lenses froze in my eyes until I blinked rapidly, and the person two
steps ahead disappeared from view when the wind picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was constantly stepping into waist deep
snow which then had to be clambered out of and we put all our absolute faith in
our guide who led us unflinchingly through the storm, using invisible mist
covered rocks to guide the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of our
party had to wet himself walking as to stop and go to the loo would have meant
frostbite somewhere very unpleasant and a guy from another group who was
improperly clothed, had to be carried down with hypothermia and frostbite – and
will probably lose some toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
hours of walking through the storm, singing to myself to keep motivated and
swallow the little frissons of fear that kept surfacing everytime I thought of
what would happen if our guide failed, we began to descend below the level of
the winds fury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPCNKRQlxW31W5Aj8rgWBOvUJ8me1qWBlmowKng0lQ_bgZPJIz0rw3Eh6vRM6i54Nlx4QZQ__is5x0326WRrhySjLAIoHX0ASDFaJK6piTocjv7UqLUqsG8WCx12xp-d0qtL2P-BJpyZj/s1600/WP_20160219_12_48_54_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPCNKRQlxW31W5Aj8rgWBOvUJ8me1qWBlmowKng0lQ_bgZPJIz0rw3Eh6vRM6i54Nlx4QZQ__is5x0326WRrhySjLAIoHX0ASDFaJK6piTocjv7UqLUqsG8WCx12xp-d0qtL2P-BJpyZj/s320/WP_20160219_12_48_54_Pro.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Human Popsicle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lower we climbed, and
soon we could make out the sides of the mountains, trees and shrubs, until,
eventually, the skies cleared and we could see again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feeling of relief was euphoric; once more
the world was full of sunlight and sounds like rushing mountain streams and
Alpine Choughs calling overhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
spent hours in a snow cloaked bubble, our vision limited to a few feet, with
our faces frozen numb like our clothes and every step a fight through the deep
snow and the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, out of the storm
and safe down the valley we blinked in the sun light and threw snowballs at
each other out of sheer joy and adrenaline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On our final day walking out of the mountains I kept turning back to
look at the heights we had come from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Toubkal stood, tall and imposing among the crests, some wisps of cloud
hiding its true summit from our eyes as we stood in the safety of the
valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally I turned my back on
those sunlit, Godlike peaks for the last time and began the final descent, and
the journey home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like swifts on the wing I fly from the lofty summits of
North Africa to the green lowlands of Mottisfont and we have finally been
graced with some drier weather of late and the sun actually holds some warmth
to it despite the cool Easterly winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This turn of the Big Wheel has set in motion the beginnings of the
spring season with Celandines, Daffodils and even the odd Bluebells popping out
and the woodland rides we have worked on over the past few winters look to be
very promising in turns of the floral display to come – the bluebell foliage is
thick on the ground here and will look spectacular when they finally all bloom
across the Mottisfont estate and at Curbridge Nature Reserve, which is always a
winning site for Bluebells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Rookery
in the treetops of the Sycamore and Plane trees in the Abbey gardens is alive
with the endless cawing and chattering of the Corvids to one another as they
bustle about remaking their old nests, spring cleaning, nicking each other’s
twigs and showing off to their potential mates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anywhere you wander in the pay zone here, you can hear the sound of the
rookery and to me it is one of the definable sounds of the beginning of spring
here at Mottisfont Abbey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbwSma_EjJli7f4_nY24IvN1sHdsllIK3ZBxsBKBIB7tZi1DrVRvmG6L4haZjNDTf6WZrjH4dbRShn-kN6O13VOakpvvZNPajt0c2Cn7ny4uwL6Y8x3VnkNIfxTeiKN2xWAJNZOw-DUdG/s1600/P1000386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbwSma_EjJli7f4_nY24IvN1sHdsllIK3ZBxsBKBIB7tZi1DrVRvmG6L4haZjNDTf6WZrjH4dbRShn-kN6O13VOakpvvZNPajt0c2Cn7ny4uwL6Y8x3VnkNIfxTeiKN2xWAJNZOw-DUdG/s400/P1000386.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rookery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another herald of the season was found by our river keeper
Neil two days ago, on the banks of the River Test; a sleepy, young grass snake –
our first snake for the year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rang me
to see if I was nearby to come and admire it but unfortunately I was up on
Stockbridge and unable to make its acquaintance – so I am yet to spot my first
reptile this year, but I’m sure a stroll round our Foxbury site could sort that
out in an instant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeOywlAYewOJBaUyMnVDCPKalQT_RMCfJOidQdpYubJI5jEM0uv0q9fMeyrSmbhq5HY1SZkAed2AHOBUoQKRm7V5T70b2o6uXbaN5XtYcbYJKVRQMtNUSxQd3DCfbQdHasmbdxyw2INkk/s1600/InstagramCapture_1bf83cbc-6449-44c9-a9d9-1b20e5d32f6e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeOywlAYewOJBaUyMnVDCPKalQT_RMCfJOidQdpYubJI5jEM0uv0q9fMeyrSmbhq5HY1SZkAed2AHOBUoQKRm7V5T70b2o6uXbaN5XtYcbYJKVRQMtNUSxQd3DCfbQdHasmbdxyw2INkk/s320/InstagramCapture_1bf83cbc-6449-44c9-a9d9-1b20e5d32f6e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neil's grass snake (Photo credits: Neil Swift).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The hedgelayers on the Down have stopped their work for the
season, having laid their way through about 700M of hedge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remaining stretch will be finished next
winter and meanwhile I look forward to seeing the regrowth of the laid section
which will bring it back from a derelict, dying hedgerow, to a thicker, more
vibrant wildlife corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course you
can’t have a winter’s worth of hedgelaying with no brash to clear up and so, in
the last week of February, Ryan and I chuntered up to the Down in a tractor
each and set to work burning the brash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ryan was in the loyal but clunky Massey, whilst I was driving the brand
new Valtra which was smooth as a nut and a pleasure to drive and to use –
heated seats (which I didn’t like as I could find the off switch!), radio, air
con and front loader suspension that meant I didn’t end up 3 inches shorter
from compression of the spine from the bouncing of the seat!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Up and down the stretch we drove, back and forth grabbing up
great piles of brash in our tractor claws, taking it to the bonfire site and
then going back for more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fire burnt
like a beacon and the weather was perfect – dry, little wind and still damp
enough on the surrounding ground to not fear it spreading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After three days of tractoring and the
volunteer group following behind stick picking the smaller bits, we finally burnt
the final lot and the site was clear again and ready for the growing season.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EEgcT-u1nNZCcTeFZx_0Rm0PPfoq3yOc36ODe4gFviHAsn62JjVddXiGA-QW0UxBrzIwlnTD67cJz3KGRXkxQpODEJNeHzzs20kgu8un3VLHOGZsaU7lJTSQIqjNFmmuA4o_QBD3JIar/s1600/V__626D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EEgcT-u1nNZCcTeFZx_0Rm0PPfoq3yOc36ODe4gFviHAsn62JjVddXiGA-QW0UxBrzIwlnTD67cJz3KGRXkxQpODEJNeHzzs20kgu8un3VLHOGZsaU7lJTSQIqjNFmmuA4o_QBD3JIar/s320/V__626D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grab a load...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIDir6j7yC3k8pCwiYCqoCWMEqQfhd0rg4kDGmmiy8X_bU7HZlG2aHoQ6Ail7mNP9dnCPskNChHrn0SnmQKOS3lR3VTXwgaW96IGP_D4oJkoDJG7I7amuUwaMz-uY1pcWlpO-3cWyCZ9S/s1600/V__F111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ31I9pEd228Jg-Ba1qVCj02U8rKWG6Furr8aC4JxqvPbgJ-D2LHeTgn3-qe0SOsYt7GYlqCQW9jCkA8nR0OQ76XmuV261cRmFvxoAVz7EFS5Orkaxiiu-chQbykodZXgkl817xnBNAuN/s1600/V__93A1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIDir6j7yC3k8pCwiYCqoCWMEqQfhd0rg4kDGmmiy8X_bU7HZlG2aHoQ6Ail7mNP9dnCPskNChHrn0SnmQKOS3lR3VTXwgaW96IGP_D4oJkoDJG7I7amuUwaMz-uY1pcWlpO-3cWyCZ9S/s1600/V__F111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIDir6j7yC3k8pCwiYCqoCWMEqQfhd0rg4kDGmmiy8X_bU7HZlG2aHoQ6Ail7mNP9dnCPskNChHrn0SnmQKOS3lR3VTXwgaW96IGP_D4oJkoDJG7I7amuUwaMz-uY1pcWlpO-3cWyCZ9S/s320/V__F111.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chuck it on (trying not to melt hydraulic hoses in flames)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ31I9pEd228Jg-Ba1qVCj02U8rKWG6Furr8aC4JxqvPbgJ-D2LHeTgn3-qe0SOsYt7GYlqCQW9jCkA8nR0OQ76XmuV261cRmFvxoAVz7EFS5Orkaxiiu-chQbykodZXgkl817xnBNAuN/s1600/V__93A1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ31I9pEd228Jg-Ba1qVCj02U8rKWG6Furr8aC4JxqvPbgJ-D2LHeTgn3-qe0SOsYt7GYlqCQW9jCkA8nR0OQ76XmuV261cRmFvxoAVz7EFS5Orkaxiiu-chQbykodZXgkl817xnBNAuN/s320/V__93A1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And watch it burn!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Talking of the growing season, we have just installed
another 6 Juniper seed cages on Stockbridge Down, to see if we can continue to
encourage more natural regeneration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some have gone under trees which have already proven viable and able to
produce young, and others have gone under new female trees to allow us to see
if they will produce little ‘uns within the cages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s gives us 16 cages in all and with the number
of seedlings so far doubled each year, I look forward to the summer to see if
we get even better results this time around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have spent time over the last two days going round our
dormouse box grids and clearing them out of rotten nests and leaves, ready for
the survey season to begin again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wandering the woodlands with dappled sunlight flitting across the ground
flora and Brimstone butterflies flapping past is not a bad way to spend the
time, even if you do get the odd stab from a bramble bush or a twig in the
eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several of the boxes had
inhabitants in them, in the form of small, plump, angry shrews that squeaked at
me noisily (I left them in peace) or lazy wood mice that lay on their bed of
leaves, looking up at me sleepily and blinking at the sunlight like a teenager
that has just had the curtains thrown open in his bedroom after a night out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also noticed another spring like sign
whilst I was doing this job; midges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Small, irritating black blobs bounced off my eyeballs and floated up my
nose, making me swat my own face – definitely almost time for the insect repellent
I think…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCusl_vUbNOt7I-EITOD2wYunynybQ16wnpeQ5aFiQL_E1XbxXY5xu7jFYS2x-SX43wiQUasKv1hAjPKybjD0K5lQaVb7-wh0scASLGIS5b5In8HY_L9NgsIACa1lhnLDv5-qsDpbaZ1Va/s1600/WP_20160317_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCusl_vUbNOt7I-EITOD2wYunynybQ16wnpeQ5aFiQL_E1XbxXY5xu7jFYS2x-SX43wiQUasKv1hAjPKybjD0K5lQaVb7-wh0scASLGIS5b5In8HY_L9NgsIACa1lhnLDv5-qsDpbaZ1Va/s320/WP_20160317_005.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do i have to get out of bed?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So we have finished the winter season and made it out the
other side and now we look forward to reaping the rewards to come; witnessing
the results of the work we do as our sites burst into life and sound and colour
– we are heading into my absolute favourite time of the year and as I sat on
the banks of the river today amid the Daffodils and the Primroses, and admired
the diamond like glitter of the sun on the rushing water, I breathed a sigh of
relief; the Spring Solstice is only 4 days away and lighter, longer days lie
ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen to that.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqCJqSclN0gsr-TQ509QsZHUHnJmi6qsWWbcRw1e4C7NF3_VobtK_cfKkldeQjQQNof-HG15K3YzrTlvaoFfjxeJPvMJg3MlBlYjamNkPHT3lJ2LgaqKmBwgEr_ioYLE521jj7wCGmQVm/s1600/WP_20160317_13_39_11_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqCJqSclN0gsr-TQ509QsZHUHnJmi6qsWWbcRw1e4C7NF3_VobtK_cfKkldeQjQQNof-HG15K3YzrTlvaoFfjxeJPvMJg3MlBlYjamNkPHT3lJ2LgaqKmBwgEr_ioYLE521jj7wCGmQVm/s320/WP_20160317_13_39_11_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-31376220595174981292016-02-08T15:07:00.004+00:002016-02-08T15:11:21.608+00:00Wild is the Wind<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wild is the Wind – a small tribute to the recently departed
genius of David Bowie and also a pretty accurate summary of the weather
battering us today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sit writing this
from my own sofa as the Mottisfont estate has been closed to the public and staff
today due to the high winds of Storm Imogen which is currently howling and
screaming over the South of Britain – I’ve just heard another of the recycling
bins go flying across the road outside and the neighbours fence has decided to
relocate itself to someone else’s garden…whilst we are all very used to working
out in all weathers and have done so many times, it would be pretty foolish to
be out in the woods and open countryside today so we remain hunkered down and
tucked up and wait for the storm to pass, as it always does.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last few weeks have seen us bungee between icy, frosty
days and back to the mild, wet days which make our winter works more difficult
to complete as sites are just too wet to access with vehicles or machinery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My truck has obtained an interesting damp
smell reminiscent of fungal growths and gym changing rooms as every time I clean
it out, it simply gets disgusting again within days as I squelch into it in
sodden waterproofs and muddy wellies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However not everyone is fed up of the wet weather – I caught this little
fellow taking an energetic bath in a puddle the other day, giving himself a
good fluff up and shake down, possibly making himself look his best for the
upcoming breeding season.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyiDD_iuHCfZygXYGuOktfKIjTOWmKi2eqdoX6YrQffK-SQ69i3kmtmRLPY0NFFPArvZyD33kWZt5OUMmVKRNmkz3j9G_Frvo2iEuUyBSEAjwVSLYXx7SO-JYsGtHD9WEllTLw4m5CIyU/s1600/P1000340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyiDD_iuHCfZygXYGuOktfKIjTOWmKi2eqdoX6YrQffK-SQ69i3kmtmRLPY0NFFPArvZyD33kWZt5OUMmVKRNmkz3j9G_Frvo2iEuUyBSEAjwVSLYXx7SO-JYsGtHD9WEllTLw4m5CIyU/s320/P1000340.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'This will make me look good for the ladies!'</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The sheep at Stockbridge are taking it all in their stride
as ever, seemingly unruffled by storms or frost and just tucking themselves
deeper into their scrubby kingdom for shelter – emerging in one woolly tide to
flow down the hill to the corral for the daily nut handout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the frosty period the other week I visited
them to top up the nuts and deliver some mineral licks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The frost lay thick on the ground, making the
shady sections of the slope appear almost white, and the water trough needed an
inch of ice smashed off the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gk2hxpawxJEFNiRB8WjL2wiSiPHl_kpPa4DKtdzGON4e6ThVAJQruIWA2imwrk28i0bvgrmTKAANbqOc9SFFCK5r2B9S4V8jPkBzAXhl-gp_1ncDZ1Htqk9mNCNyUkjX5g6B2DAgTGgf/s1600/P1000321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gk2hxpawxJEFNiRB8WjL2wiSiPHl_kpPa4DKtdzGON4e6ThVAJQruIWA2imwrk28i0bvgrmTKAANbqOc9SFFCK5r2B9S4V8jPkBzAXhl-gp_1ncDZ1Htqk9mNCNyUkjX5g6B2DAgTGgf/s320/P1000321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The frosty shade and the thawed sunlit grass</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All
but one of the sheep appeared for nuts, with the missing one being one of our
old girls, usually first in line….which made little alarm bells go off in my
head; was she lying dead somewhere, victim to dog attack or harsh weather?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked around, trying to think like a sheep
and decided to head off to the North end, up to the Higher Meadows which were
in the sunlight and consequently had thawed out a bit; if I were a hungry sheep
I would head there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hiked along and up
the slope, keeping my eyes peeled for any sheepy shapes in the scrub and kept shaking
the nut bucket, but no answering reply came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally I crested the rise of the hill into the Higher Meadow and there,
in the sun thoroughly enjoying herself gobbling the thawed out grass was our
missing ewe. Clever old girl! Whilst the others were down in the frosty
shadows, she was basking in the winter sunlight and happily eating her way
through the meadow. Phew!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help
but be relieved as the last two times I’ve had to search for a missing one; it
had ended in a dog attack victim – but thankfully, not today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One whistle and she finally heard me, her
head shot up and she came charging over for her own personal supply of nuts
whilst I stopped to enjoy the view and get my breath back.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjI3Ydu3ErLFLx6oiiOV70WeK-BbgBLzmKaW1R_LU88_HJQg2IY09xaDOWVNKHmyJ4urxxuc5e9D_WVpO1Sn3JAber2bJ_onJmBk5lyR9YkYU3vTlNEq-w8piqt8qEJY1agYTVJ3sNn9H/s1600/P1000313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjI3Ydu3ErLFLx6oiiOV70WeK-BbgBLzmKaW1R_LU88_HJQg2IY09xaDOWVNKHmyJ4urxxuc5e9D_WVpO1Sn3JAber2bJ_onJmBk5lyR9YkYU3vTlNEq-w8piqt8qEJY1agYTVJ3sNn9H/s320/P1000313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our missing ewe - sunbathing happily higher up the hill.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdQNx0ZTB82HpW8uAertmq3le8yBoxFJSQx9K_RWVGu8N6t2Ccd3HHnGYixcCq3Izby9yz1aQsIp7wtC5oQSZHG8cyQHe4b6-2XSHg1rRS2JflznJYzqFa2H2bnDv8AQsqI5SkFCqzmzP/s1600/P1000325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdQNx0ZTB82HpW8uAertmq3le8yBoxFJSQx9K_RWVGu8N6t2Ccd3HHnGYixcCq3Izby9yz1aQsIp7wtC5oQSZHG8cyQHe4b6-2XSHg1rRS2JflznJYzqFa2H2bnDv8AQsqI5SkFCqzmzP/s320/P1000325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One very plump sheep enjoying the sun - check out the double chin!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The grounds of Mottisfont are also looking stunning in the
winter sunrise’s and ambling down the drive on my way in to the office is a pleasure
on such days; the font looked especially magical, with the early morning mist
steaming off of the water surface making it almost look like an inviting warm
bath – pass the Radox!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOILs8wFFi8o1Msyr82aQyH5pCOVd5lRz2IDTbymrnGs1bt6uca3HF2MZzoonS8gxLNjNfiV9pyvsE7bvr1cY48wCZi4SktBD-l0psMXOlnBpXXfKP6jz8qGHwKqnbAgxvxGpr2r0ruVtF/s1600/P1000348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOILs8wFFi8o1Msyr82aQyH5pCOVd5lRz2IDTbymrnGs1bt6uca3HF2MZzoonS8gxLNjNfiV9pyvsE7bvr1cY48wCZi4SktBD-l0psMXOlnBpXXfKP6jz8qGHwKqnbAgxvxGpr2r0ruVtF/s320/P1000348.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath, anyone?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our work at this time of year isn’t all about felling trees
and clearing scrub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have also been
doing one of my favourite tasks of winter – tree planting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have several projects going on across our
countryside portfolio for tree plantings including woodland creation, hedgerow
planting up and coppice planting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find
it very satisfying to put a tree in the ground, tuck its roots in and wish it
well and know that this tree is likely to outlive me and, in the case of
species like Oak and Beech, it will live out many future generations of my
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is something very therapeutic
about looking at veteran trees and knowing they have stood tall through all
that has gone on around them over the centuries; wars, development, storms,
changing land practices, disease and so on – they have survived it all and are
some of the few fixed points in a changing age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our site at Foxbury, in the New Forest is part of a
restoration site for heathland and fringing woodland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the last few years the site has
undergone radical change from a rhododendron covered conifer plantation, to
being cleared and allowed to redevelop back to lowland heath like many of its
neighbouring areas in the Forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part
of this restoration includes planting up of wet woodland fringe areas around
the buffer edges, a project which I have talked about in previous blog
posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year’s winter planting
sessions, undertaken by our Community Ranger Jake and involving many volunteers and members of the
community, has now finished, with almost 6000 trees gone in to the ground this
winter season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a tremendous
achievement and a brilliant milestone towards the end goal for the Foxbury site
– already many species have been attracted back to the area since its
conversion; Nightjar, Dartford Warbler, Woodcock, Adder and many more are
making Foxbury their seasonal or all year round home.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoBXXdGMpmfmTN039o-3DRrg4qR0ewnHkX1dukfs2w8x17JYkUoQ1Rs7ANXV6APsy6nC4p70RhMFHy7e28f1EXt4cqPkcc3QGcHSW2vdmP-F_KpnwXbWpdIfKh77l_foSJUwOplNqSNFo/s1600/WP_20160201_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoBXXdGMpmfmTN039o-3DRrg4qR0ewnHkX1dukfs2w8x17JYkUoQ1Rs7ANXV6APsy6nC4p70RhMFHy7e28f1EXt4cqPkcc3QGcHSW2vdmP-F_KpnwXbWpdIfKh77l_foSJUwOplNqSNFo/s320/WP_20160201_001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foxbury planting</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And from one lot of tree planting to another, we whip back
to the Mottisfont estate and the work here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Under our Woodland Grant Scheme, we routinely clear fell areas of
plantation, in order to sell the timber and then replant the area with
broadleaf species alongside the natural regeneration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also have many kilometres of hedgerow
around the estate some of which have thin/bare areas where the growth has died
out and which require replanting to thicken up the hedgerow again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ryan and the volunteers have been planting up
these hedgerow gaps with a mix of hedgerow species specific to the area and the
soils, to ensure the best possible survival rate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have also been planting Hazel saplings
in our working coppice area in Queen Meadow, alongside the layered stems from
the current stools, all of which increases the number of Hazel trees growing in
a coppiced section which in turn is important for product quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsXjQTffhDqaWxRplsOL7IP_BI8ci5iKaBh6cJpG5XmV7kgoOGQyTJiyXUeYv78Aid86_-GxQj3uEgUbQOBmEQRvC5cunumR2e7AlBSkM4eO0GrcOo4jMcL_L3C2Trmx_GfiIyAywXzpa/s1600/WP_20160204_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsXjQTffhDqaWxRplsOL7IP_BI8ci5iKaBh6cJpG5XmV7kgoOGQyTJiyXUeYv78Aid86_-GxQj3uEgUbQOBmEQRvC5cunumR2e7AlBSkM4eO0GrcOo4jMcL_L3C2Trmx_GfiIyAywXzpa/s320/WP_20160204_006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting in the coppice - alongside some beautifully stacked charcoal piles!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By increasing the density of the coppice, it
encourages the stems to grow tall and straight in order to race upwards to the
light away from the neighbouring stems and this results on good quality
product, useful for stakes and binders, peasticks, walking sticks, charcoal and
more, for use across our sites or for selling to wholesalers and our own
shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I joined in with some of the
planting in Queen Meadow last week and it was like a soothing balm to a winter
weathered soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air was still and
mild, the sun finally held some warmth in it and all around us there were
little signs of spring; Celandines gleaming gold, Snowdrops pure and white,
birds singing heartily and best of all, best of ALL – butterflies!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first emergent of the year of those
species who hibernate as adults (usually Peacocks, Red Admirals and Brimstones
to name a few) and sometimes awaken on warm winter days – and how it warmed the
frosty cockles of my heart to catch a glimpse, just for a brief second, of
those fluttery, buttery loves of mine, which, alongside the fresh, warm breeze,
gave a tantalising hint that spring was coming and nature was beginning to wake
up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Which is why i know that, despite the raging weather today, we are almost there - Welcome back Spring – boy, have we
missed you.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-77234568604039043802016-01-20T10:56:00.002+00:002016-01-20T10:57:30.929+00:00Jack Frost comes a' calling<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><em> </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><em>‘Normality is an
illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly’</em></span></div>
<em>
</em><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><em> - Charles Addams</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></div>
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</span><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Happy
New Year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are now well and truly into
2016 and the festive feasting seems like a distant memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Jack
Frost has finally put in an appearance this winter and has been dancing across
the land spreading his icy affection and giving us a much needed cold snap in
this otherwise remarkably mild season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have missed out on the snow this far south – the more inland counties
have had the sledging fun whilst we remain snowless but chilly, with
breathtakingly cold, clear nights resulting in everyone rooting around their
trucks hunting for their long abandoned ice scrapers first thing in the
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">These kinds of days are the
best of winter days, the Frosty Blue days I call them, when the sky is clear
and blue and the winter sun blazes, causing the silvery frost to glisten and
sparkle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Hamble the other day the
reed beds were all intricately adorned with frost on their feathery flower
heads, whilst their stems glowed gold in the sun creating as fine and pretty a
picture as I have seen anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
stepped out onto my favourite vantage point of this site, along the stem of one
of the large oaks that had fallen into the river and, standing among its fallen
branches over the estuary, I could look up and down stream at the peaceful
view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Snow white </span>Little Egrets stood hunched on
skeleton trees on the far side of the river, basking in the winter sun; the
reed beds whispered and rustled secrets to each other and the tide was creeping
out on its journey to visit the sea, under an endless blue sky…unfortunately I was
startled out of my dreamy reverie a few minutes later when I put my hand in dog
crap as I worked on the boardwalk here – and the crisp, fine air was, for a few
seconds, filled with expletives and horrified yelps as I ran to the water’s
edge to wash it off.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoffcdNbpjDl9EvHrw6iSmnKSUoVo0cE5sB-YMejzeC0XkwAZtwENlA3MNltNtKQgkwdUOQdxq5XaFa2fCA01JjJ1gPsSYrOKiJr0JtHMQZE59a_T7KL1ESL83SZEKEzJo01pju35cfUF/s1600/P1000302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoffcdNbpjDl9EvHrw6iSmnKSUoVo0cE5sB-YMejzeC0XkwAZtwENlA3MNltNtKQgkwdUOQdxq5XaFa2fCA01JjJ1gPsSYrOKiJr0JtHMQZE59a_T7KL1ESL83SZEKEzJo01pju35cfUF/s400/P1000302.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosted Reeds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nQgdiJ8BsDXQvH6doVRcpbbMNWf_ytWjdgagdtn5Qz-XojwLQZxmvFy2pWisWB_SjlTVUVzzgaQb4Mq9ZVxQZILGj-o2E_mcmYBJIome9Pb7BI08s4fYcNhFU0Bk4DmLoGjOhAEqIvU4/s1600/P1000295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nQgdiJ8BsDXQvH6doVRcpbbMNWf_ytWjdgagdtn5Qz-XojwLQZxmvFy2pWisWB_SjlTVUVzzgaQb4Mq9ZVxQZILGj-o2E_mcmYBJIome9Pb7BI08s4fYcNhFU0Bk4DmLoGjOhAEqIvU4/s400/P1000295.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glowing reed beds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Dressed
in more layers than an onion, I find myself waddling slightly these days due to
the sheer mass of clothing I have on – makes climbing over gates a bit more
challenging but my reptile like nature does not approve of being too cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And talking of waddling, our sheep flock have
spent a month here at Mottisfont plumping up on the lush grass and allowing us
to keep an easy eye on them over the festive period when staff numbers were
fewer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having gorged themselves on the
Mottisfont Menu, the time came last week to get them moved back up to
Stockbridge where they belong and so once again I entered the Battle Royale
ring and played the game of getting them penned up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few days of training them to enter a self-made
pen of hurdles proved enough for most of them, but as usual 6 remained on the
outside looking in and so the games of woman vs flock began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end human evolution prevailed (just)
and the final 6 fell prey to my many tricks of luring them in to the pen, tricks
which included shaking the nut bucket and looking the other way so they think I’m
not watching, scattering a nut trail into the pen, feeding the already penned
up sheep to make the others jealous and shaking the nut bucket near an
individual, luring them close enough to grab and wrestle into the pen (the
latter being the only one that worked and had to be repeated for all 6
sheep).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gareth our tenant farmer then
arrived with his livestock trailer and we proceeded to shoo them in, pushing
their fat, woolly behinds in an effort to get them to move forward and into the
trailer, before locking them in and taking them on their journey to the Down
and home.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They
are now all safely back on the Down, doing their important habitat work of
eating – which they fell to straight away, no slackers in this flock; they
flooded out the trailer and threw themselves on the grass as if they had been
half starved!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They seemed chuffed to be
back on their Kingdom; they were soon trotting along their old scrub trails and
standing nobly on top of the hills asserting their authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will remain on this Leckford slope into
spring before we move them back through to the NT side of the slope, thus
giving each area a chance to rest and flower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And if the sheep are returned, then that also means the wonderful sheep
lookers are now back at their daily duties of checking the flock – and are
enjoying the tattoos on their fleeces which make individuals more easily
identifiable – especially the troublemakers! (Holly Leaf sheep was particularly
naughty when trying to be penned up).</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievmeGYsElIQ4aCL7jMbmKqM5O1Q96LExk2JZNDw1A9kzIa98P2FvWIpzIpqke6-L_vTnpnsjZwRf39ryY-0XzUfcLLWAoDTQiDhoAvFr9tcrtRrPNfVdG7fvlciG7aCvmHuGoXY3BgQFB/s1600/P1000262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievmeGYsElIQ4aCL7jMbmKqM5O1Q96LExk2JZNDw1A9kzIa98P2FvWIpzIpqke6-L_vTnpnsjZwRf39ryY-0XzUfcLLWAoDTQiDhoAvFr9tcrtRrPNfVdG7fvlciG7aCvmHuGoXY3BgQFB/s400/P1000262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Over
the festive rota period, when the weather was still wet and mild, Neil and I
were doing the rounds on the rivers and opening the sluice gates across the
estate, in order to allow some of the excess water to drain out of the main
channels and into the side ditches, thus reducing the risk of flooding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The torrents of water that were flushing
through these sluices was tremendous, like a mini version of Niagara Falls, and
woe betide any beastie that got sucked in – they were in for a rapid ride!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5d4OiTHmDv3YcK2w5237jM93v8vWU3-hEVf-dU_vTHoslWJZscxbgySXp5eQWCygjTKqextRhOhLvHNbjwdInFzfTuo4abtm9cVBdOQ1S7iYrp0TU8RRgOdo0Zzog_t7Gr9VaheTRr3jq/s1600/P1000238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5d4OiTHmDv3YcK2w5237jM93v8vWU3-hEVf-dU_vTHoslWJZscxbgySXp5eQWCygjTKqextRhOhLvHNbjwdInFzfTuo4abtm9cVBdOQ1S7iYrp0TU8RRgOdo0Zzog_t7Gr9VaheTRr3jq/s320/P1000238.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The swan family taking a organized paddle up the river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv4ctEg1OAylA05Dx_7DaMj3xpR20pj-SyMCvKn5xj9wKf611SpIvy0d7Nr4UsSCQM9BLRM28K3WBXba-Luo1zBBW4tgsc65t9wpwA3cp0W3zySMiudyGW5dDIcbNrGPMcuSmXwJHWgys/s1600/P1000252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv4ctEg1OAylA05Dx_7DaMj3xpR20pj-SyMCvKn5xj9wKf611SpIvy0d7Nr4UsSCQM9BLRM28K3WBXba-Luo1zBBW4tgsc65t9wpwA3cp0W3zySMiudyGW5dDIcbNrGPMcuSmXwJHWgys/s400/P1000252.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river Dun overflowing through the woods...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
also came across an otter kill on one of the river banks, of a huge salmon with
the most impressive set of jaws I’ve seen on any fish that wasn’t a shark. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neil said it is the male salmon that have
these big hook like mouths but this was the biggest teeth he’d seen on one….and
so how could I resist?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I donned
disposable gloves (I actually had a pair in my coat pocket left over from a
first aid course), Neil handed me a bin bag and, retching and gagging at the
stench, I wrapped the squishy, gooey, carcass in the bag and we took it back to
the farmyard and my Pet Cemetery rot pile, where I put skulls to rot down and
lose their flesh, ready for cleaning and for taking their final place on the
Shelf of Death (kind of like the Disney theme of taking their place in the
Great Circle of Life…).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got to admit
though, the smell of rotting fish was almost too much even for me and I was
glad to relinquish it to the pile and leave it for the next few months for
nature to do her thing….I shall just claim ignorance when I see people
wandering around that corner of the carpark wondering just what the hell that
smell is!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1HaWoyJb2xCBujKIws1w_eCNH_SN4nlOdWbV7nikAUcPM9jt_538yIdXREE27jd_-niMtM3TrzUZG7QM8RdmJu6ZZAaN1KtseEWJ78Q5ooOesTZbac2t4eWn4yqnFgaKgdZeMIZFfPVv/s1600/P1000237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1HaWoyJb2xCBujKIws1w_eCNH_SN4nlOdWbV7nikAUcPM9jt_538yIdXREE27jd_-niMtM3TrzUZG7QM8RdmJu6ZZAaN1KtseEWJ78Q5ooOesTZbac2t4eWn4yqnFgaKgdZeMIZFfPVv/s400/P1000237.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a crocodile!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXh1UiXngKY9dh2PDdSvGEfDry96XvHLYBPH4_D1X2D2M6lJQY7N2-QFLAM9aa3BKZlydmKqnF4fD56VQRnuL5KHloLVlh-ijVy9RaWPTpbH5StFy0zYYAg9NTTyuSfY9lKxzaLr4sUv5/s1600/IMG_1800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXh1UiXngKY9dh2PDdSvGEfDry96XvHLYBPH4_D1X2D2M6lJQY7N2-QFLAM9aa3BKZlydmKqnF4fD56VQRnuL5KHloLVlh-ijVy9RaWPTpbH5StFy0zYYAg9NTTyuSfY9lKxzaLr4sUv5/s320/IMG_1800.JPG" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Rot Pile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
previous mild weather has also meant that we have been seeing things emerging
that should have long stayed hidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bluebells leaves are poking their way up through the soil at Hamble and
Mottisfont, Daffodils are in bloom, Hazel is budding and I saw a Hawthorn with
fresh, newly opened leaves in Oakley Copse – all much too early!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also, when walking home the other night at
3am, heard a bird singing loud and clear in the middle of town – and this was
3am in<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> January</i> so there was no sign
of the dawn or first light, so I can only assume the birds are a little bit out
of sync also and are perhaps displaying their increased spring singing a bit
early? Any bird experts let me know if winter night singing is normal…I would
have recognised a nightingale but of course they are summer only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_9ir_kcNN_IS7fhwrmvP_ikCG8gCljYkJTMnTEzYnnbeuaQpd-J2MHrNfcpvm4elbguARGJQokE9O4UzjGqDhMhBU2ZYzJD0VI7lh3Yj-u7GwTTXtZVGMjMpIWSrNFRPC-4AnfRrvLea/s1600/P1000256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_9ir_kcNN_IS7fhwrmvP_ikCG8gCljYkJTMnTEzYnnbeuaQpd-J2MHrNfcpvm4elbguARGJQokE9O4UzjGqDhMhBU2ZYzJD0VI7lh3Yj-u7GwTTXtZVGMjMpIWSrNFRPC-4AnfRrvLea/s400/P1000256.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluebells popping up at Hamble...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I am hoping this cold spell will put things
back in cycle a little bit more as it would have a bad impact on flora and
fauna if they start blooming and nesting thinking spring was here and then get
caught out by a cold blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite
these concerns, I also think that nature has a bit more of an idea of what it
is doing then we do and it will continue to adapt and evolve to suit the
current climate and play of the seasons – be they late, early, mild, extreme or
whatever the latest weather report calls them – let’s face it; just what do we
define as a ‘normal’ season anymore?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There isn’t a deadline date by which spring or summer or autumn or winter
should know to be in place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no
list of designated characteristics that nature can read to know that ‘oh ok,
winter should be this cold and autumn this wet, whilst summer wow! You’re meant
to be pretty warm – better start heating up!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only list is that which we have recorded and defined in previous
years and whilst there has undoubtedly been a global warming of temperatures –
I refuse to use the word ‘normal’ anymore when talking seasons because I just
don’t think there is a ‘normal’ season. They will come when they want and do
what they want and we must work with them the best we can (this would be a good
place to mention flood control policies, trees in upper river catchments,
preventing buildings on floodplains etc. but I fear it would turn into a bit of
a rant so I shall leave it to more educated people than I to comment on such
matters….but do read up about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot
of the flooding we have in this country is not always due to ‘abnormal’
rainfall, but catchment mismanagement).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Back
to the frosty present and the Monday volunteers came to Hamble last week to
help coppice and pollard some of the Holly understorey on the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holly has grown particularly thick in
some areas in this woodland and this blocks most of the light to the woodland
floor as well as prevents the Oaks putting on any epicormics growth on their
stems (epicormic shoots are the cluster of little side shoots that you
sometimes see growing out the main stem of species like Oak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are usually dormant whilst the growth
hormones go to the main canopy but they help a tree to survive as, if the
canopy is damaged, i.e. ripped out in the wind, the epicormic growth will be
able to take over and grow and keep the tree alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not great for a timber crop but Hamble
is not for timber production so the more we can do to keep the woodland here in
survival mode, the better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Mottisfont Oak, our 1000 year old specimen has superb examples of epicormic
growth).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So by clearing back some of the
Holly understorey, we are allowing light to the floor for ground flora to
spring up and to the stems of the Oaks, thus improving the health of the canopy
trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left enough holly to continue
to provide shelter for birds such as Goldcrest and Firecrest which are both
found here and I look forward to seeing the floral results on our work come
springtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst we were there the
tide was peaking in the estuary and as we watched it, it crept in higher…and
higher…and still higher until it was higher than I’d ever seen it there, having
overtopped the platoon and had reached the first set of garden benches in the
pub garden area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to one of the
local volunteers the winter tides are often reaching this height here now and
with the proposed housing development nearby likely to increase surface runoff,
there is a serious danger of high tides and spring tides flooding the pub and
the road.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqiYgj_Gy1tzMqJISYRPrSZNJ-Dsx6taFi6VmO2R91q3BGeAi6sb8zKnmxpeAHYnt-QodgBg5jNOnxM4WUUIwj1QcXrHTCqg62hdn029zYLM9TD09xC2hXmMfRYxUZIeb029HVmf_1QtZ/s1600/WP_20160111_11_23_35_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqiYgj_Gy1tzMqJISYRPrSZNJ-Dsx6taFi6VmO2R91q3BGeAi6sb8zKnmxpeAHYnt-QodgBg5jNOnxM4WUUIwj1QcXrHTCqg62hdn029zYLM9TD09xC2hXmMfRYxUZIeb029HVmf_1QtZ/s400/WP_20160111_11_23_35_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High tide - see the handrail of the platoon?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally,
I took a wander the other day to some Barn Owl boxes that myself and ornithologist
Alan Snook put up back in April 2014 (you can read about it on the blog post
for that month).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We put up a nest box
and a roost box as once a Barn Owl pair have hatched owlets, the female likes
the male to be out of the nest box but stay nearby at her beck and call so by
putting up a roost box near to the nest box, the bloke has somewhere to
go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my delight, for the first time
since we put them up, I found some owl pellets underneath the boxes which
implied a Barn Owl had used them recently – so we are keeping our eyes peeled
and our fingers crossed that a pair may choose these boxes to nest and rear
their young this year – but not quite yet – it’s not 'normal' spring time yet….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IH0ARF0zD0sQLq3QewcZ8nMkcZD4Lat6w2l-KHe_FxaqbY-XkEEmRvvXj-BPb3z60TP5Hx-Hgts1nHjpuHhE_sgchUbrTlQW9r8RHwkAjrmfcoizxz2Cvn-m6yAHqWRSJwibmC08WfL-/s1600/WP_20160108_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IH0ARF0zD0sQLq3QewcZ8nMkcZD4Lat6w2l-KHe_FxaqbY-XkEEmRvvXj-BPb3z60TP5Hx-Hgts1nHjpuHhE_sgchUbrTlQW9r8RHwkAjrmfcoizxz2Cvn-m6yAHqWRSJwibmC08WfL-/s400/WP_20160108_006.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The barn owl pellets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYI5dmC00olMrxXwUXn9NJt44SccIXvCcUrHIix6JIbR7yaJKIcOEWa4kicDgg2RNS58aKt0mlnwo8kVl2k7zOh2lBIkRlHEDKkC-rrzx-rmz9yLJrhlgXBwfWQ_u6W_XPeI_mVZjdCjxV/s1600/P1000259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYI5dmC00olMrxXwUXn9NJt44SccIXvCcUrHIix6JIbR7yaJKIcOEWa4kicDgg2RNS58aKt0mlnwo8kVl2k7zOh2lBIkRlHEDKkC-rrzx-rmz9yLJrhlgXBwfWQ_u6W_XPeI_mVZjdCjxV/s320/P1000259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another pellet I found on a fence post on Stockbridge - see the red teeth of the skull? That means it belonged to a shrew...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-58233665715439854032015-12-21T12:31:00.002+00:002015-12-22T11:05:23.045+00:00Look to the East<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We’ve done it! We’ve hit the
winter solstice, the shortest, darkest day of the year and we are on the way
through and out the other side!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can
now look, as I always do, to the Eastern horizon and know that the light will
be dawning that bit sooner each and every day that passes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do wonder how many people feel this
primeval urge to measure our days by the darkening hours up until the solstice
and then by the longing for warmth and light that comes as we inch our way
closer and closer to spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose
being that I work outdoors I feel it so much more, I record the passing of the
year in every fallen leaf, every budding bloom, by the presence of the winter
constellations in the night sky such as Orion the Hunter, by the harvest, by
the smell of blossom, by the temperature of the wind, by the jerky fluttery
flight of newly fledged, messily feathered young birds, by the gathering of
swallows and swifts on phone lines and by their sudden, aching absence.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>But this way of reading the natural rhythms of
the earth and the countryside around us must be hidden deep within everyone, a
prehistoric sense that has in many people been dimmed and overshadowed by our
evolution into the modern world and its technology which can often blind us to
what is all around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you make only
one resolution for the New Year make it this one – get yourself out and about
every now and then and witness the awakening of the natural world as we head
through the solstice and the darkness, on our way out to the light.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meanwhile across our countryside
properties we find ourselves flying through the winter works season at as fast
a pace as ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Marsh inlet works
that I spoke about in my last post have taken well – I went there last week to
see how it was faring and to my delight and despite the endless display of
footprints that show that people are still not allowing it to rest and settle
but are marching all over it, there was actually a few tiny signs of new growth
emerging from the peaty mass of mud and root matter that was poured in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Undoubtedly due to the ongoing warmth of the
weather, things are still trying to grow and this is a good sign for this area
when the proper growing season comes – if it can start shooting in December, it
should have no problem properly growing and binding together come spring and
summer, which will help firm up the whole inlet area.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A4WM692Bl2b8i0J6sGeOxJSfNgInKFBRpss7Hr6SpAW7FKrd91XjDuJ_w724oavr0TjplDUs2DcKTSvnE0j73V7ES0hlSvFI5hmB-JRIVnfSb_3K7vxHJGXVOsq52YX8jiImWnpnVuO5/s1600/P1000199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A4WM692Bl2b8i0J6sGeOxJSfNgInKFBRpss7Hr6SpAW7FKrd91XjDuJ_w724oavr0TjplDUs2DcKTSvnE0j73V7ES0hlSvFI5hmB-JRIVnfSb_3K7vxHJGXVOsq52YX8jiImWnpnVuO5/s320/P1000199.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ford area, grass growing back bit by bit...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our sheep flock have been taken
out of their Kingdom and brought back to Mottisfont for the festive period,
where they will be easier to keep a check on each day by the staff on
rota.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a job that was easier
said than done as it entailed dedicated training with the nut bucket by myself and
the sheep lookers to lure all 25 into the corral each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time the allotted day came around they
were all flocking in to the corral no problem and I had all 25 penned up inside
awaiting their taxi within minutes of arriving. So far, so good. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst we were waiting, a plump little Robin took
it upon himself to hop around the corral tweeting at the sheep, probably
wondering why they were all on his patch?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo4Cb1PyBA4nKea2uSJ6mZi3vG0LCeBx9hVk9rsym2LBqBNLfsvW82qdGu5w1ETPcJMq60awlN4eN7GPUcb1lj3482eyuTVQsQqCXBU__2Thq2pzvy-otkX9A-P3zVHWxuiR-gyt6CHxu/s1600/P1000200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo4Cb1PyBA4nKea2uSJ6mZi3vG0LCeBx9hVk9rsym2LBqBNLfsvW82qdGu5w1ETPcJMq60awlN4eN7GPUcb1lj3482eyuTVQsQqCXBU__2Thq2pzvy-otkX9A-P3zVHWxuiR-gyt6CHxu/s400/P1000200.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Oi you lot! State your business here!'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvicBNWN2teBjuRU6ZPxcg0t-WS5X9U2ZN1C6L9lPj46xXo34EkuqBjW2rIeczI9yvnWaoLCeEOOW08E3G0iU40vqXd2m-bBjCDpW_2tPEtJArYohRG8lNIDKtvHT-Ac6Zfzt4rS5dIZrq/s1600/P1000203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvicBNWN2teBjuRU6ZPxcg0t-WS5X9U2ZN1C6L9lPj46xXo34EkuqBjW2rIeczI9yvnWaoLCeEOOW08E3G0iU40vqXd2m-bBjCDpW_2tPEtJArYohRG8lNIDKtvHT-Ac6Zfzt4rS5dIZrq/s320/P1000203.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping a beady eye on the proceedings...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gareth Jenkins, one of our tenant
farmers at Mottisfont arrived on the slope with his large livestock trailer and
tractor and backed it into position by the corral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set up side hurdles to prevent escape,
opened the corral gate and…..nothing. Not one animal moved and tumbleweed
drifted by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had thought getting them in the corral
would be the hard bit, had somehow envisaged that they would from there flow
smoothly into the trailer like a woolly stream….as usual I was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bucket of nuts did little to lure them into
the trailer and I realised that apart from the odd sick one who has come back
to Mottisfont for TLC, the flock have not left Stockbridge in the two years
they have been here and so they had no idea what the trailer held in store for
them. Finally, with my promises of lush Mottisfont grass and both Gareth and I
shooing and pushing their fat behinds, we got them all squidged into the
trailer looking very out of place and befuddled, with a lot of loud complaining
going on.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIgXAxcPapp7X6ziwhDA8J3jZXqusYUaKFs_h3To3jSTeRGJ3PZc1JIaiYkBgDRgJolYM76hjuXBwoanSkE6gtFEOlin22fl5TM9fDRY2UGGPi0PodIGQNcPcI5S9Yu095894FzuZdx3v/s1600/P1000213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIgXAxcPapp7X6ziwhDA8J3jZXqusYUaKFs_h3To3jSTeRGJ3PZc1JIaiYkBgDRgJolYM76hjuXBwoanSkE6gtFEOlin22fl5TM9fDRY2UGGPi0PodIGQNcPcI5S9Yu095894FzuZdx3v/s320/P1000213.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walter and i having a chat about what was about to happen. It did nothing to reassure them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back at Mottisfont I had a pen
set up in their holiday field and when Gareth arrived with them we opened the
trailer into the pen – I stood back expecting bodies to fly out like jumping
beans but the first two that ran out stopped dead and threw their heads down
and started gobbling the grass straight away – much to the annoyance of the rest
of the flock who backed up behind them, unable to get out and making lots of
sheep noises that I interpreted as ‘Oi! Get out the way! Move along!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then
watched in amusement as the tide of fat sheep finally broke though the barrier
of the first two animals and they all poured out in a rather undignified
manner, into the pen.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhouXA1PKkgEz5ntQmfgB4JAqBSOEInVhxyvOKEGplUi7_EGBb77OzVl3eTIi5NS5ajpoD3xyVgBVSdKJIgFNqx8FjqrTGJ7rjWJLTKu_zIPNLJ_-JvmK-4w331BITZDlMYh5umgUSrGc/s1600/WP_20151214_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhouXA1PKkgEz5ntQmfgB4JAqBSOEInVhxyvOKEGplUi7_EGBb77OzVl3eTIi5NS5ajpoD3xyVgBVSdKJIgFNqx8FjqrTGJ7rjWJLTKu_zIPNLJ_-JvmK-4w331BITZDlMYh5umgUSrGc/s320/WP_20151214_003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding pen and vaccination pen set up and ready to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the next few hours Ryan, Alan
our volunteer and I went through the laborious process of the annual
vaccination and worming of the flock in order to keep them in good health – not
that they are ever grateful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each sheep
had to be manhandled into the handling pen and held still by one or two people
whilst I injected the vaccination into their skin, dosed them with wormer and
gave them once over health check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given
that they weigh in at around 70kg, and did not enjoy being stuck with a needle,
we were all rather stiff and achy by the time we nearly finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each sheep got sprayed with a purple mark to
show that it had been treated and I got a bit bored of doing tick marks and
started being more creative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walter the
lone male got a crown (King of the Flock), one got a festive holly leaf, another
a sail boat and so on as the ideas took us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also consider it a security measure as no one is going to try sheep
rustling animals with such individual markings as these!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuBIfIHAjxAiIPW9MO7sYyN56056bw7fXne5JGEKrwX-FfwdXj4tv6JJWJUB8yFiqZ_J0tKWRVlFA8IIhWgEluOg8LbLU8ATc0UDq0qAacLcurQ_4hfdx-z_Grwlev4avRNvljuAet1rs/s1600/WP_20151216_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuBIfIHAjxAiIPW9MO7sYyN56056bw7fXne5JGEKrwX-FfwdXj4tv6JJWJUB8yFiqZ_J0tKWRVlFA8IIhWgEluOg8LbLU8ATc0UDq0qAacLcurQ_4hfdx-z_Grwlev4avRNvljuAet1rs/s320/WP_20151216_002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off their tattoo's - Walter and his Crown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just as we had almost finished, one of the
last two sheep in the pen decided that she was not having any of it and after
giving us a cool look, turned and leapt over the hurdles to freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arrrgh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Resisting the urge to throttle them all, I went for the nut bucket and
threw some around the field, luring our escapee close enough for me to then
leap on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the ensuing tussle of being
dragged around by a fat sheep that wanted to travel I got a smash to the nose
and though I managed to keep hold of her, by the time Ryan and Alan were able
to run and grab her off me I had a healthy stream of blood flowing from my
nostrils – just another day working with the sheep!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still whilst I mopped up the guys got her
vaccinated and wormed and released and finally, the whole flock were done for
another year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cleared the pen away
and left them all to enjoy the new lush grass in their holiday field while we
went for a well-deserved cup of tea and a bag of frozen peas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In keeping with the festive
season, Mottisfont village is usually the home of a nativity scene, previously
set up in the garden of resident Betty Pragnell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Betty passed away earlier this year,
the church wanted to recreate the nativity in the middle of the village where
people would drive by and see it and so they enlisted our help in locating and
creating it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Woodyard orchard was
chosen as it is roadside along the main village road and so will get a good
audience passing through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lily, one of
our Visitor Experience team, and her craft group volunteers set about creating
the figurines and Ryan and myself were put to work building the stable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first, we set our sights a bit too small
when we started building a frame to fit the original figures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when we were shown the size of the New
Improved figures we realised we were going to have to scale up a bit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so over the course of a weekend and half
the week Ryan and I rummaged through the wood yard creating the main frame of
the stable – Ryan was entirely behind the design and all the fancy joints, all I
did was hit nails where he told me and saw wood where it was marked!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roofing felt was obtained and over the course
of a bright frosty day we slowly erected the stable in the orchard, piece by
piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4HnA1hLUErWf4ijQu15aY4vHNSusuVBJRRljotCaSA31GRFo6hP96GHC9cgSFUWHDtg6fYyUUQzUUMx21GR1udxNgG0zWonSTgObSd_9zDZie3m2VBzUy5N1INLi-U5SAVM1XgFZW01D/s1600/P1000190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4HnA1hLUErWf4ijQu15aY4vHNSusuVBJRRljotCaSA31GRFo6hP96GHC9cgSFUWHDtg6fYyUUQzUUMx21GR1udxNgG0zWonSTgObSd_9zDZie3m2VBzUy5N1INLi-U5SAVM1XgFZW01D/s320/P1000190.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From woodyard...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJYYFfO1uULW56kv5J3Wc-qtscHBpC4sYDNo-DNUUcd0C96IzH78DepKO5TLAmme78OZqTsJ5PcsVVbsWGAIjgHIAP6PfCFTsJlzTcZzru4bHSvbr49D60EPsrTxYSewvB3dm_IUE6BPQ/s1600/P1000187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJYYFfO1uULW56kv5J3Wc-qtscHBpC4sYDNo-DNUUcd0C96IzH78DepKO5TLAmme78OZqTsJ5PcsVVbsWGAIjgHIAP6PfCFTsJlzTcZzru4bHSvbr49D60EPsrTxYSewvB3dm_IUE6BPQ/s320/P1000187.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to orchard...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnDOaBMGsGAYb3OEGpcjDAIJWGM4kiOP0V8j1J8StOuLacVhj6YzEEHakhusd397bLYqIWsoJb_0KrMN1gsx4N_Y1v6mOf-9OOms9TNqo4wMXAoIU1zz6ixE-F4kWDVp5Y7k-xYFkQjTV/s1600/P1000188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnDOaBMGsGAYb3OEGpcjDAIJWGM4kiOP0V8j1J8StOuLacVhj6YzEEHakhusd397bLYqIWsoJb_0KrMN1gsx4N_Y1v6mOf-9OOms9TNqo4wMXAoIU1zz6ixE-F4kWDVp5Y7k-xYFkQjTV/s320/P1000188.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to stable...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4HnA1hLUErWf4ijQu15aY4vHNSusuVBJRRljotCaSA31GRFo6hP96GHC9cgSFUWHDtg6fYyUUQzUUMx21GR1udxNgG0zWonSTgObSd_9zDZie3m2VBzUy5N1INLi-U5SAVM1XgFZW01D/s1600/P1000190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjntzV46oqNrb4lXxyK8w7xNeIrS8qHnIN1NJIBPSNrIYXKAmtHzK9rvL7BtOLkbk0YXYNJ99ZsOpE4W7P5TYzN5bUrRKl_lCF9Hv09TeimDF3qNLjiKL6ghyZvv0xO2hFbb2AYaT167tw/s1600/IMG_1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjntzV46oqNrb4lXxyK8w7xNeIrS8qHnIN1NJIBPSNrIYXKAmtHzK9rvL7BtOLkbk0YXYNJ99ZsOpE4W7P5TYzN5bUrRKl_lCF9Hv09TeimDF3qNLjiKL6ghyZvv0xO2hFbb2AYaT167tw/s400/IMG_1088.JPG" width="400" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Completed nativity with the Thursday volunteers - the Not So Wise Men! (Joking guys...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The roof was felted, the beams
were tapped into place and the sides were staked to the ground to avoid the
wind blowing it over – although the whole construction was heavy enough that it
would have taken a hurricane to lift it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I reckon if we had put a ‘To Let’ sign up, it may have got some offers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We spread some hay down on the
floor of the stable and the figurines were brought up from the Abbey, complete
with Mary, Joseph, Shepherd (and sheep), Three Wise Men and the baby Jesus, and
the stage was set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The later addition of
lights around the bushes and a lit up star in the nearby apple tree made the
picture complete and when the village held a carol service there one moonlit
evening, it made a very pretty picture – Betty’s family were thrilled with the
nativity that was created in her memory and I am certain Betty herself would
have been pretty chuffed with it too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was tempted to put one of our live sheep in as a touch of realism but I think
it would have ended in disaster!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakoa7SOVvPuib4j-CEFQjd8iTCRjXxbRUVxLEhhJhqDhQWpGOgXo48HjkYr4P427AmjvvEoGqscbrEfUZZoOi26AnXJPoNa-pEIj5YahljZSqaoSQBrpCxWQA2fhyWEr1vNahwgMpWPjb/s1600/P1000220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakoa7SOVvPuib4j-CEFQjd8iTCRjXxbRUVxLEhhJhqDhQWpGOgXo48HjkYr4P427AmjvvEoGqscbrEfUZZoOi26AnXJPoNa-pEIj5YahljZSqaoSQBrpCxWQA2fhyWEr1vNahwgMpWPjb/s400/P1000220.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Silent Night</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So here we stand, once again, at
the Gates of the Year, ready to step forward into the unknown that lies ahead. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2015 has given us many things as a working
team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had illness and loss,
glorious successes and dedicated people, new projects that will improve our
habitats and ongoing ones that are bearing fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had the pleasure of watching our
sites blossom and thrive with the seasons and the inevitable yearning as we see
them decline into winter slumber, appearing barren on the surface but we know, oh
how we know the glory of life that lies beneath, awaiting its time.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I find this work and indeed life
in general, is like riding a rushing torrent of rapids, being relentlessly
pushed on through peaks and troughs and only through hard work and forward
momentum do you make it out of the lower troughs and onto the top of those
shining peaks while the flow thunders around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have all had our peaks and troughs in 2015
– now we look to 2016 and a new set of rapids – so paddle hard, look to the sun
and enjoy your ride, wherever it may take you.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Merry Christmas!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvguDMJP5xYc2Pv-TnFfhX_iOKAIFDkyXXhjb4rFPtpD-drsK2AzbyCB3VjifIklV1QwcRTPvkLz_XqLlEV2OgeY78SDszJE8k4wQEamfJtQUquF3uXzIBougE5nTftuvIFqIdyGdY80cr/s1600/Full+department+Photo-+Nov2015%252C+Parks+backdrop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvguDMJP5xYc2Pv-TnFfhX_iOKAIFDkyXXhjb4rFPtpD-drsK2AzbyCB3VjifIklV1QwcRTPvkLz_XqLlEV2OgeY78SDszJE8k4wQEamfJtQUquF3uXzIBougE5nTftuvIFqIdyGdY80cr/s400/Full+department+Photo-+Nov2015%252C+Parks+backdrop.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-48769120848714373112015-12-01T17:51:00.002+00:002015-12-01T21:16:17.818+00:00Your Countryside Needs You!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I turned on the radio in the truck this morning and the
first thing I heard was ‘A Fairy-tale of New York’ by the Pogues and Kirsty Mac
Coll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hearing this, my favourite festive
song, suddenly brought it all rushing in that we are in December, the final
month of the year, and 2015 is fading rapidly with the evening light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite a brief, three day cold snap that
finally gave us a thick ground frost a couple of weeks back, the weather is
still very mild and a lot of our trees and hedgerows are clinging on to their
leaves which whilst they have shrivelled and died, have not yet had enough of a
cold shock to make them drop to the ground and to allow the trees to turn
inward and settle into their naked winter dormancy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my last post I mentioned the beginning of a project on
the inlets we have on Stockbridge Marsh…so let me tell you all about it, the
main feature of it being MUD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huge,
stinking, piles of peaty mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Beautiful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounds vaguely
bizarre but within this muddy mass lies hope and promise, for the preservation
of an ecosystem and a common land, for the future.….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stockbridge Marsh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of our sites just up the road from Mottisfont, this is a 23 hectare
area of peaty marshy grassland, with a small tributary of the river Test
running alongside it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It lies flat and
long, stretching down the river valley, protected from development by its own
geology as well as its Common land status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Commoners of Stockbridge have ancient common rights here, similar to
the New Forest, and grazing rights are still undertaken today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI) and managed under a Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) as most of our sites
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The marsh is a place of bleak
beauty, it can look desolate and windswept one day when the wind is howling and
the rain is driving into your face at a sideways angle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then another day it can be soft and
peaceful, with a pinky gold sunset sky reflecting in the water and birds
flitting and calling among the reeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the years, some odd inlets have formed on the marsh, meandering
across the land from the river; their meandering nature implies they are
natural and not man made (like an underground pipe etc.) but no one knows
definitively what causes them – is it peat drying and cracking? Is it
groundwater flow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, once they
begin to form, they are then subject to constant erosion from people, dogs and
livestock, all of which tramp through the inlets, making them longer and deeper
and wider until some had got so deep that people lost wellies in them (don’t
ask me WHY they kept trying to walk through it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to try and counteract this ongoing
and worsening problem, we decided to try something new and restore the
past….this involved the ditches at Long Lash field, here at Mottisfont.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have these ditches dug out on a rotational
basis in order to maintain the habitat for Southern Damselfly, a rare Damselfly
that we have here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They require ditches
with flowing water so if a ditch gets silted up and choked with vegetation, the
habitat is lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We employed our tenant
farmers from Mottisfont to dig the ditches out for us over the last couple of
years as they have the right kind of machinery – diggers, low pressure track
dumpers so as not to damage the ground, and one kick ass looking black tractor
– if Batman had a tractor, it would be the black Valtra!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Normally the peat that is dug out is left at the side of the ditches
but this year, after a year’s worth of working with Natural England and doing
vegetation surveys to ensure nothing nasty lay within (like Himalayan Balsam) I
got consent from NE to use the peat from Mottisfont, to infill the inlets at
Stockbridge – basically taking peat from the same river valley a few hundred
years back upstream – restoring the past, see?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So the contractors came in with their sleek shiny tractor and over the
course of a week in November they dug out the Long Lash ditches, piled up over
a hundred tonnes of material in a corner of the carpark (kept that quiet)
transported it over to the Marsh, piled it up in the carpark there (it
basically resembled a small, muddy version of the Himalayas) and finally, took
it on its final journey across the marsh in the low pressure tracked dumper and
to the inlets where it was tipped in bit by bit and squashed down with a
digger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stockbridge Himalayas in the carpark</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enroute in the low pressure dumper</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touchdown!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being compressed with the digger</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end result - the canyons filled in with peat and vegetation matter that will take hold and grow up come the growing season.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially, it looks like a
meandering line of muddy peat but to my eyes it is progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where only the week before was a mini Grand
Canyon of ooze, now there was level land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The constant erosion of this habitat has suddenly been halted on this
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vegetation matter that is
within the peat will take hold in the next few growing seasons and help bind it
all together until hopefully, it will be nothing more than a vegetated scar on
the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all the months of
derogations, consents, surveys and planning, this is the grand fruition – MUD! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we can just persuade people to stop
treading on it until it has hardened up and settled down, it will have a good chance
of taking hold and firming up And that’s why I look at the brown, smelly peat
with rose tinted glasses and keep my fingers crossed for the success of this
project and for future of the marsh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stockbridge Down continues to see the roadside hedge being laid bit by
bit, as they work their way down from the top carpark to the bottom carpark
over the course of the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
also had volunteers and students working on a patch of scrub clearance on the
site, in line with our management plan and our Higher Level Stewardship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rotationally clearing areas of large,
moribund scrub is an important task on sites such as the Down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chalk grassland habitat is ecologically
vital as is the mixed scrub habitat that is interspersed within it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However it is important the scrub consists of
different age groups, from the thick, dense young scrub to middle aged, through
to mature scrub as different mammals, birds, inverts and so on will value
different age classes of scrub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
targets under our Higher Level Stewardship that we require a certain percentage
of this rotational age class of scrub to be present and maintained on the
site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However we also have to achieve and
maintain a percentage of chalk grassland habitat which means that we cannot
allow the scrub to encroach onto the grassland with new, young growth – so to
ensure we can have that young age class of scrub, we get it by rotationally
cutting out patches of old scrub that have reached a peak and that have lost
all understorey and ground flora below it, due to their age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The patch I chose this year was a patch such
as this, consisting of a mix of Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Buckthorn (all of
which have wickedly horrible thorns which we got lodged in our fingers constantly)
which had all grown up so tall that they completely shaded out the ground below
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consequently there was no
understorey and no ground flora except for moss, making it fairly barren below
the canopy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had programmed in many
days of work with volunteers to tackle this bit of land as I knew it would be a
tough job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scrub was thick around the
edges and then very tall and heavy further in and all needed felling and then
dragging up or across the slope to the fire to be burnt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Old rabbit holes littered the site creating
trip hazards a plenty with every step and the scrub was all so thorny that even
the thickest tree stems had random two inch spikes on which inevitable pierced
gloves and spilt blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Felling the
scrub wasn’t the end of it, the way it had grown meant that each branch and
stem was deeply intertwined and entangled with other stems, or ivy, making it
all a huge mass of knots to try and cut and tug apart to get it into a moveable
size to get it fireside.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8YSqkSjfyKHSo9SYK_t1ZFBx5NRi7agWrv-Fo16QC_cRZK9TRcON-gGDe-hy77FbJ7qcuOB91Mg06WaXOTj8Pjlsw0Ys-Q6gyOXNzYQBpQgYO-kUibP70rZApxb1b_HosyalKtYgW9Lw/s1600/P1000177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8YSqkSjfyKHSo9SYK_t1ZFBx5NRi7agWrv-Fo16QC_cRZK9TRcON-gGDe-hy77FbJ7qcuOB91Mg06WaXOTj8Pjlsw0Ys-Q6gyOXNzYQBpQgYO-kUibP70rZApxb1b_HosyalKtYgW9Lw/s400/P1000177.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that Gorillas in the mist? Nope, just the volunteers on a frosty blue morning!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting and burning the scrub</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However despite all this, the volunteers powered through it with me,
as well as a couple of days of Sparsholt students and we finished the patch
last week, with a whacking great bonfire finale that would have served well as
a beacon had it been up on the top of the hillfort! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flocks of Fieldfares and even the odd Waxwing
flew overhead as we finished the job, getting themselves settled in to their
overwintering site on the Down. Come spring and summer this cleared patch will
erupt with Wild Strawberry, Marjoram, and other flower species which will be
the feeding and basking ground for invertebrates such as Grizzled and Dingy
Skippers before the young scrub grows up into a thick dense thicket which will
then be favoured by birds and mammals for nesting – and so the great circle of
scrubby life continues!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDidh3jreL__uxUrOlz-lWZfTEmmLBedxgJtT9sR0c_CC4E5ZL3Qvx5vgV4yPcncXgFTcUKfPoBmkX0au_JlV2ai7Dp1rw6voRTaV4xTxV_rnWVlOAsx0uYP16nMoO2vDiauUFaH6FLNhH/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDidh3jreL__uxUrOlz-lWZfTEmmLBedxgJtT9sR0c_CC4E5ZL3Qvx5vgV4yPcncXgFTcUKfPoBmkX0au_JlV2ai7Dp1rw6voRTaV4xTxV_rnWVlOAsx0uYP16nMoO2vDiauUFaH6FLNhH/s320/IMG_0151.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grizzled Skipper - a species that will enjoy the cleared scrub area this coming spring.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elsewhere on the Down our sheep flock continue to roam their Western
Slope Realm, where they graze the open grassy areas and run along hidden paths
up in the Yew woodland and scrub, like fat, woolly woodland nymphs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst they are doing well and have plumped
up in fine form for winter, we unfortunately suffered a loss a couple of weeks
ago, when I found one on the slope one day that had been subject to a dog attack.
I arrived on the slope, threw some nuts in the corral and called the
flock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They came running and bouncing
but seemed more jittery than usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
many came into the corral and one who did didn't settle to eat the nuts but
stood and stamped her front feet at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘What’s
your problem?’ I asked her, thinking that they may all still be mistrusting of
me after I had allowed students to learn how to handle sheep with them the week
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a valuable experience for
the students to learn livestock handling and it’s useful for the flock to be
used to being handled for when we have to work on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However they usually get in a bit of a sulk
about it so I thought perhaps this ewe, stamping her feet at me was signalling
that she was still rather miffed at their treatment a few days before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Unfortunately her jitteryness was for a worse reason. </span>All but two of the flock had appeared so I set
off to hunt down the missing two, one of which was one of the old girls and
usually the first to the bucket so when she didn’t come running I pondered it,
but thought she must be out of earshot. After a brief walk I spotted two girls
up the slope under the Beech trees and scrambled up to check them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One was a young ewe who got up and limped
away from me – suffering a slight limp in her front leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I looked round and spotted the old girl
stick her head out from behind a Yew tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I climbed up to her and my heart sank as I noted how she held herself;
head held down low, not moving from her spot, which was not a good sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put my hand under her chin and looked at
her face to try and see any problem; she gazed back with dull eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stood leaning against the Yew tree so I
checked over her sides and then got to her back end and my heart sank into my
boots as I beheld the gory mess that was revealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A huge, gaping wound above her left hind leg,
stretching from her tail across the rump and so deep I could actually see a fair
way within, like a great, blood clotted cave of various muscles, sinews and
goodness knows what else, which should not be on display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The leg was swollen with blood within that
had flowed out of the torn vessels and was filling up the limb around the knee
joint, which was obviously causing her tremendous pain as when I gently touched
it she would shift and cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so, for
the second time in three months, I called the vet out who came and clambered up
the slope with me to where our poor ewe stood in misery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the vet examined her I put my arm around
the ewe’s chest to stop her trying to hobble off but she didn’t even bother to
move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead she leaned her head on my
shoulder and leaned into me, weary and in pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The inevitable conclusion reached, we walked her slowly down the slope
to a more accessible area and then lay her down whilst the vet prepared her
cocktail of drugs that would send her to the big grassy slope in the sky, where
the grass is always green and lush and the sun always shines and I never appear
on the horizon nor try and round up the flock and disturb their peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once the deed was done and the life had flickered out of the ewe’s
eyes, the vet showed me more teeth marks that hadn’t been obvious before, due
to the wool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had taken a few bites
including the horrific main mauled area and it was surprising she hadn’t died
of trauma already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vet did confirm
that the size of the bite suggested a dog as oppose to something like a fox –
these are big, fully grown 70kg sheep that a fox would not be able to bring
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the vet had gone I stood
looking at the copse contemplating my fears that this, as the second such
incident in three months, may not be the end of it or another one off, but
something that could happen again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I stood
there I suddenly became aware that the rest of the flock had appeared and
gathered under the Beech trees and stood silently watching what had happened to
their fallen comrade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t chew
cud or wander, they just watched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
Walter, our lone male, detached himself from the flock and trotted over to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knelt down and he nuzzled against
me perhaps trying to convey that he was sorry he hadn’t been able to keep all
the flock safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put my arm round his
neck and scratched under his ears as we looked upon the sorry sight whilst the
others stood by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few minutes
time started again and Walter wandered off and I stood up and got my trusty
piece of rope out the truck, which I use as a sort of pulley system to help me
hoist 70kg of dead weight into the back so I could take her to meet the knacker
man, and it was back to reality.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJjZLFuLXFYHl59FU-HMS2IoVK7NZMMVB-YAP4WVuqKX-u9C0LQ00gq-EiYzNb0KyHlCefvv0fan5spe3QkbHQSiaDcEUvM5vGzVX4Rzh0tdqLeTNyKSA983hYPV-ahrPUC9eDW3gPp5E/s1600/P1000167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJjZLFuLXFYHl59FU-HMS2IoVK7NZMMVB-YAP4WVuqKX-u9C0LQ00gq-EiYzNb0KyHlCefvv0fan5spe3QkbHQSiaDcEUvM5vGzVX4Rzh0tdqLeTNyKSA983hYPV-ahrPUC9eDW3gPp5E/s320/P1000167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A grim photo, but a reminder of the care we all need to take</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTYt1veDljnArhcRXRuhWqM-0LdQuG1_0n-pRUE7tN0lGThkhDSIS4sGZYFZkIMdjeu3g2JAZXtngFILQ_h3PiTBsidaLDshh79jq3DpetNbSu91bmNtxv2bUIJr3IcL0RjGYgCTpF1wB/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Again I can only state that I know that the majority of dog owners are
responsible, reliable and will keep their dogs on lead around livestock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But somewhere there is a tiny minority that either
don’t bother to try and control their animals, or don’t take into account the
instinct that lies dormant in all dogs and may suddenly burst out when they are
confronted with a flock of sheep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
minority can do significant damage and impact on the management of a site. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The countryside is used more and more by our
increasing population as a place of leisure and this is something that should
be encouraged; we all need to get out and experience the wilder areas of our
country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it comes at a price in that
increased people pressure can create increase of problems such as this
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must all learn to sacrifice
things in order to allow for a sustainable way of management.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance the fencing of the river bank on
Stockbridge Marsh – we have had to sacrifice our access to it, in order to
prevent it being completely eroded away by people, dog and livestock pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the same with the sheep on the Down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>60 hectares of land on the Down do not have
sheep on them and dogs can run free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
remaining 5 hectares of the Western slope, which is entirely fenced off
separately, has the flock on and so dogs MUST be kept on a lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Losing freedom in 5 hectares does not seem
like a high price to pay when 60 hectares remains open to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot, must not get to that point in the
future where habitats are unable to be managed in the way that is required for
their own benefit, due to external pressures from our growing population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must all take heed, appreciate when areas
are closed off for grazing or breeding birds, when dog bins are put in to
prevent excess nutrients from dog faeces altering the habitat, when areas are
fenced to try and halt erosion and accept that we have to share these lands
with nature and wildlife and not just assume we can do as we wish on them all
the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only by working towards this
and understanding this concept can we have any hope of keeping our fragile
ecosystems alive through what is undoubtedly the biggest challenge that they
have had to face – and one that is ever growing as urban sprawl and population
continues to soar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So next time you walk around any of our sites, enjoy them but please
just be aware; take notice of signs marking where animals graze, pick up your
dog poo, read about what work we have done and why and try to understand that
we as the landowners cannot do this alone – we need everyone to band together –
fight the good fight!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-81488098745826493672015-11-02T16:00:00.000+00:002015-11-02T16:30:01.036+00:00Tongues of Fire<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;">'Steady thy
laden head across a brook;</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;">Or by a
cider-press, with patient look,</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>T</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;">hou
watchest the last oozings hours by hours.'</span></span></i></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZztSAgGuWbXi9aL_BfIZ_xpSNxPbpw4kjjPL7ZYS4N7bUQA3aB8eKdZ9EeXX3l4SiPn7BQ4Oia-sm9EteQtg6evnwBEq1Q8DN_RiTrVGAtD77IyUSaTql5mVdfWRhqv-P2i2KeuumMiV/s1600/P1000121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcJ4sHk_NqMtufHNmpe2OM19UKK4Ka_bEN_byjvrDI_BvbIEPCIhm3lAVARSCABWvQ78RODseQO9RhGf30necmIOHledRYEkTx4WbfQ7KG_iwD3fHPouGarxFrHQQe0FFzy-UPhnAdfyI/s1600/P1000097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></i></div>
<i> </i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"> - Keats</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Greetings!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has
been several weeks since my last post and during this time autumn has swooped
in on wings of glorious technicolour; golds, crimsons, ambers, the turning of
the leaves this year seems more vibrant than I have ever seen it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gardens of Mottisfont are adorned with a
copper coloured carpet and our woodlands are a shimmering haze of rich fiery
hues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the sun shines through the
leaves it is like they glow from within and the Cherry trees especially look
like they are aflame in the rays of the sinking sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Combine this with the mists that have begun
to lie in the fields first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening,
creeping off the river, and you have a truly stunning picture to behold as you
enter into Mottisfont.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fzbNbh9TDUTFtVHLUB6weHuPOVzwS1vP7g4J45NhYsIfwTHGm0ppbNGoHv-r1TlyGuezgpI8chcH1iSqPGVHBCmqtW6KvpPglF6wDnSO7gO9Md9ygKaN4uaYKVmalFvIlxbeOWCP2LTm/s1600/P1000097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fzbNbh9TDUTFtVHLUB6weHuPOVzwS1vP7g4J45NhYsIfwTHGm0ppbNGoHv-r1TlyGuezgpI8chcH1iSqPGVHBCmqtW6KvpPglF6wDnSO7gO9Md9ygKaN4uaYKVmalFvIlxbeOWCP2LTm/s320/P1000097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colours everywhere! My favourite, the Cherry tree outside the staff carpark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeC191mAMjswK9ZtfV1HjKuD44ATDTsO-XksucY7UVgQ36cxfcVKTbhlZWcCcpQZgTh7iHnn7s8xmw17CkyZ22fKKarbIc0KPwlM5WtmvVCoRSrNjTXWmadiQO0RD8bnsBmDXw6B6mziX/s1600/P1000121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeC191mAMjswK9ZtfV1HjKuD44ATDTsO-XksucY7UVgQ36cxfcVKTbhlZWcCcpQZgTh7iHnn7s8xmw17CkyZ22fKKarbIc0KPwlM5WtmvVCoRSrNjTXWmadiQO0RD8bnsBmDXw6B6mziX/s320/P1000121.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0kYU-a1uXpLelbnlDLfE4tE0PdOw1zcTVpkWdSS9bTeGbIUV8k1Nz4W0eLzut2gDNHvQCzbV6OclCvT9xV7iOg8HMYEekyFetNhylDwjXGUyTmHInY9IT20iQ9Y4mRkQC4rqHqzwW1St/s1600/WP_20151022_08_57_00_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0kYU-a1uXpLelbnlDLfE4tE0PdOw1zcTVpkWdSS9bTeGbIUV8k1Nz4W0eLzut2gDNHvQCzbV6OclCvT9xV7iOg8HMYEekyFetNhylDwjXGUyTmHInY9IT20iQ9Y4mRkQC4rqHqzwW1St/s320/WP_20151022_08_57_00_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst I always mourn the passing of summer and its
associated vibrancy of life, autumn does bring us many wonders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst kicking through the leaves, you can
find the shiny conkers and sweet chestnuts, plump and looking like they have
been polished, with their intricate swirly designs ingrained upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fungi has popped up everywhere providing
splashes of colour where you least expect it; Fly Agaric red, Amethyst Deceiver
purple, the creamy white blob of the puffball – or the giant puffball if you
are very lucky!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And of course with summers end and autumn’s beginning, comes
the time of ‘mellow fruitfulness’ which, in my personal annual schedule means:
cider time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year has been kind to
us in terms of bounty and I have already made good with blackberry whisky and
brandy, elderberry and blackberry wine, pickled walnuts, pickled ash keys,
elderflower champagne, jams, chutneys and sloe gin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But of course, the most important yearly
creation comes in the form of my home made cider – and what a year for it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apple trees have been absolutely full to
bursting this year, in all our orchards, hedgerows and woodlands and I have
taken full advantage of this fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
started my usual scrumping and harvesting of apples throughout august as they
began to fall and ripen and due to the sheer mass of fruit around I got a bit
carried away and kept on collecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
a few weeks my patio at home was covered in apples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laid out on a tarp, they looked like some
brightly coloured art installation and I dutifully turned them with a broom
every day to spot any rotters that needed to be picked out and chucked in the
compost (quite what the neighbours thought I don’t know!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOGf952CgLANKv96nus1W93aoHXo7muV1kWQuEKA078vbOoT8NjW2iZJHw0_oazN-MXnnTCUL7bkYhJYTth8EoI5EZMZZR3IC7yZ15BdPzFeb_ItNlAUc8HRIBLUakPjuQDuVOjXtztU3/s1600/WP_20150902_18_26_35_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOGf952CgLANKv96nus1W93aoHXo7muV1kWQuEKA078vbOoT8NjW2iZJHw0_oazN-MXnnTCUL7bkYhJYTth8EoI5EZMZZR3IC7yZ15BdPzFeb_ItNlAUc8HRIBLUakPjuQDuVOjXtztU3/s320/WP_20150902_18_26_35_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An apple a day....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, having secured the Mottisfont cider
press for use, as well as a borrowed scratter, I lured my team mates to my help
with bribes of how much cider they will get to drink next year (as well as
guilt trips of how much of my home brew they have had this year!) and they
dutifully came round one sunny Saturday and helped me turn apples into liquid
gold.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJTB_CCwSj93iuhC4hIcziv6vZGlMj42kO8Yi9PaQcM-CwblelbOnc1ezkZ11jO1EOLvQb75K_UaUN7qsvU-Mn3JrOe2KIEUh1rJswgRk7OGtkJ_U5P3ikn5m-eKvm2ZmyOJlLfomno6I/s1600/P1000077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJTB_CCwSj93iuhC4hIcziv6vZGlMj42kO8Yi9PaQcM-CwblelbOnc1ezkZ11jO1EOLvQb75K_UaUN7qsvU-Mn3JrOe2KIEUh1rJswgRk7OGtkJ_U5P3ikn5m-eKvm2ZmyOJlLfomno6I/s320/P1000077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washin' choppin'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtKoihUrfIYzRdyThcDZx_pKxlrQNZQOotVjJLDsRlFHh1DZR70cGKYJivAYRNK2r-LOjWgMS49xthwWu9DdQKvJWFxSVAgRnj7HvBmjnuDM5JZgDhd9gGlH9gqCKfP737Fued_M_pH34/s1600/P1000075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtKoihUrfIYzRdyThcDZx_pKxlrQNZQOotVjJLDsRlFHh1DZR70cGKYJivAYRNK2r-LOjWgMS49xthwWu9DdQKvJWFxSVAgRnj7HvBmjnuDM5JZgDhd9gGlH9gqCKfP737Fued_M_pH34/s320/P1000075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scrattin'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5Db0mtFHFkqpN4wEsv_5Spdy21BuCH5Uuw1qMQMXeE1uyeot9vVYTZwxnTDrUFbRYySQIJ7EwJACHgaiRluNDN2BPObvAlvZd2zt8Pg38twEO77oOVQuimApwjSoQPIBM0EZuLMlEOXE/s1600/12002784_10153246033202632_3520462956922750599_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5Db0mtFHFkqpN4wEsv_5Spdy21BuCH5Uuw1qMQMXeE1uyeot9vVYTZwxnTDrUFbRYySQIJ7EwJACHgaiRluNDN2BPObvAlvZd2zt8Pg38twEO77oOVQuimApwjSoQPIBM0EZuLMlEOXE/s320/12002784_10153246033202632_3520462956922750599_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And pressin'!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Four and a half hours of washing, chopping, scratting and
pressing and we had 14 demi johns – 70 litres – of juice ready to begin the
long and beautiful journey into cider…they are currently bubbling away happily
in my kitchen, having been racked off once already and thankfully passed the
slightly sulfuric eggy smelling stage that was being burped out of the air
locks at double speed as the first fermentation kicked in vigorously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The journey continues….</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimym8oYOuFpzokpzPWC91G3FGzxXqnw4iEhCJ8LYDZ9mu66a3MPsrTn1x79scxLluZZYAc_kA4Sp-Ys_B8WA21LXpMuEmkH7ootxRYZlOmN5ID1p8MnR0iT2mVY1MSjCcaP-ihD52lfHPk/s1600/P1000081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimym8oYOuFpzokpzPWC91G3FGzxXqnw4iEhCJ8LYDZ9mu66a3MPsrTn1x79scxLluZZYAc_kA4Sp-Ys_B8WA21LXpMuEmkH7ootxRYZlOmN5ID1p8MnR0iT2mVY1MSjCcaP-ihD52lfHPk/s320/P1000081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, with the onset of autumn we are already headlong
into various winter projects across our sites as time seems to be flying by
already; we have passed All Hallows Eve and are creeping ever closer to the
Winter Solstice, the day after which I look to the East and know that the light
will begin to return to us bit by bit and in a few short weeks the natural
world will begin to awaken. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5W34YV85NhFq6RXp70zayL1ReTg6eONekIfmToqqDzqAPhHHzHHWc_OfXiBJmNy9ndc4neKo-Oi4w0Rvh40uNUo8qmYspoZaecxoCaWgENPilPG-omymqs4oRwaynY3QeXsFjLMotRUD/s1600/WP_20151030_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5W34YV85NhFq6RXp70zayL1ReTg6eONekIfmToqqDzqAPhHHzHHWc_OfXiBJmNy9ndc4neKo-Oi4w0Rvh40uNUo8qmYspoZaecxoCaWgENPilPG-omymqs4oRwaynY3QeXsFjLMotRUD/s320/WP_20151030_001.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A belated Halloween!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Up on Stockbridge Down we have begun a winter long project
of hedgelaying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roadside hedge here,
which runs along the B3049 was once laid about 20 years ago and has been
flailed ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is slowly turning
into a line of bottom thin trees which does not equate to a wildlife beneficial
hedgerow so I decided to get it re-laid again, using a specialist contractor
who was confident he can do the whole length in one winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hedgelaying is basically a way of improving
the health of a hedge and increasing its use as a habitat for wildlife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To lay a hedge you cut through each
individual stem, but not all the way, just enough that you can bend it over and
weave it into line, whilst remaining attached to its growing base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New shoots will then grow up from the cut
area at the base thus thickening up the lower bit of the hedge which was
previously just a stem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laying also allows
more light to come in which in turn encourages the new growth and aids in the
regeneration of the new shoots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hedgerows are vital as wildlife corridors for birds, mammals, reptiles,
invertebrates and all sorts and they are more likely to use them and nest in
them when the hedge is thick and bushy as it provides better cover for them to
travel through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stockbridge Down is
surrounded largely by arable land, but there are pockets of estates and copses
nearby and it is so important that wildlife can have a chance to travel between
such areas under cover using the wildlife corridors of hedgerows and not the
open arable land where they are far more vulnerable to predators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first 100m barrier of hedge has been laid;
I look forward to seeing the rest!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheH7FhCm6fyuny__7Fi4ZF-1y2r9wK9O7VfmP_v7YuKbPP6REAhK-MdhyphenhyphenQ7UqaojbutShyphenhyphenjggPXl3tvhydiJjdE1eXjYFoWjcz4DQzj3NYiRn_32Opu5akWjrpYOZHXh6AqxOdrnVyGIP0/s1600/P1000111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheH7FhCm6fyuny__7Fi4ZF-1y2r9wK9O7VfmP_v7YuKbPP6REAhK-MdhyphenhyphenQ7UqaojbutShyphenhyphenjggPXl3tvhydiJjdE1eXjYFoWjcz4DQzj3NYiRn_32Opu5akWjrpYOZHXh6AqxOdrnVyGIP0/s320/P1000111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first laid stretch...a long way to go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stockbridge Marsh has shown some great regrowth results on
the bank that we fenced last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
array of vegetation that has come back in just one year is astonishing and
really gives good hope for the future of this site, that if we can provide a
well vegetated and stable bank it will prevent the erosion that occurs as a
result of animal and people pressure on the bare bank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also gives hope to the stretch we have
fenced this year; if that revegetates as well as last year’s stretch, the
habitat will have improved dramatically.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOCjfFcMLLoWkSqwpNHMOUvJ-bRyp4ocn7FsP_BBG0V4TZGBnF61FQZVuNQYcrvE5tcH6JN5qFkt5MVl9fTMYxHF9PAXBP3cRI9BUkAJdfXax8BH4IfbCmdtfgwpG4nAsR47XhkW6it-_/s1600/P1000129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOCjfFcMLLoWkSqwpNHMOUvJ-bRyp4ocn7FsP_BBG0V4TZGBnF61FQZVuNQYcrvE5tcH6JN5qFkt5MVl9fTMYxHF9PAXBP3cRI9BUkAJdfXax8BH4IfbCmdtfgwpG4nAsR47XhkW6it-_/s320/P1000129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking beautifully vegetated</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also an issue on the Marsh are the creeping inlets that have
begun meandering their way across the marsh from the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst the first inlet has dried out quite a bit
since we fenced the bank and faggoted across it, which helped prevent the river
from creeping in, the lower ones have got wider and deeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, we have begun a project whereby
we have had peat dug from the ditches in Long Lash at Mottisfont (where peat
and vegetation requires clearing from the ditches on a rotation in order to
keep the Southern Damselfly habitat in good condition) and this peat is being
transported to the Marsh and being used to fill in the inlets and try and halt
their crawl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially it is peat from
the same river valley, just a few hundred years further down the river!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is going on this week, so watch this
space for results…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At our Hamble site, Curbridge Nature Reserve, we have
started coppicing the understorey in a section of the woodland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mainly Hazel understorey over stood by Oaks
and Ash, this stretch of ancient woodland and estuarine reedbed and saltmarsh is
one of our little gems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has had some
coppicing in areas of it in the past and this year I wanted to bring in the
rotation again in order to improve the understorey of Hazel as well as bringing
in more light for the ground flora species.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hamble has also had another tree down in the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have mentioned before about the titan Oaks
that gradually get eroded under their rootplates by the tide and fall into the
river where they lie, some skeletal, some still living, and provide a great
perch for Egrets and habitat for water beasties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However one tree went down right at the very
top of the river where it is very narrow and consequently had to be removed to
allow boats past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a very muddy
hour working with the harbour master to remove part of the canopy so boats
could squeeze through (we only had an hour because of the tide, which would
turn and fall and leave the boat stranded otherwise) I then had a contractor
complete the job as he had equipment I could only dream of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One sludgy day, when the tide was out, the
work gang proceeded to cut the tree up bit by bit, using plankways to walk over
the ooze of the mudflats, and eventually, once all the limbs were completely
removed, they used their truck and crane to heave the stem out over the bank to
be taken away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnbNavRevBQNQHGVuBLGUXG9itCHHiYO2hS5jEWUm6wi6N5FMOHnvmkDBwpBZGCQ5KwJhO706Kdh3SKxmn61Kvjpr7voQlAwK4ET18GVMA84r8J-tzj-PyHYIRi9Pw6zGKeedvjPO0ZcQ/s1600/WP_20151022_11_26_17_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnbNavRevBQNQHGVuBLGUXG9itCHHiYO2hS5jEWUm6wi6N5FMOHnvmkDBwpBZGCQ5KwJhO706Kdh3SKxmn61Kvjpr7voQlAwK4ET18GVMA84r8J-tzj-PyHYIRi9Pw6zGKeedvjPO0ZcQ/s320/WP_20151022_11_26_17_Pro.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting up the tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I say truck, it
was like a MONSTER truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked into
the woodland and came face to face with Optimus Prime; the thing filled the
entire woodland path area and looked vaguely out of place!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However it got the job done before the next
turn of the tide and the river was once again made clear for day trippers to
get to the Horse and Jockey pub.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39WxzcSQWXtuscgI_OFT-DaX3KMxHQNdn7Shya_BcAVN2x1bqH8C_s4-qUV5weoE_RJ7aca6FSjHhb0Pp5aOPokRv9ttmZslXOredE7Sq_fkTHgCr3Iy2v1RYRtlYaylItMqnqsoL7clX/s1600/WP_20151022_12_33_12_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39WxzcSQWXtuscgI_OFT-DaX3KMxHQNdn7Shya_BcAVN2x1bqH8C_s4-qUV5weoE_RJ7aca6FSjHhb0Pp5aOPokRv9ttmZslXOredE7Sq_fkTHgCr3Iy2v1RYRtlYaylItMqnqsoL7clX/s320/WP_20151022_12_33_12_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transformers come to Hamble river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, since my last blog post, we have said good bye to
Laura, our Area ranger for the New Forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Laura has moved on to another job back up in Hertfordshire, where she
hails from and where her friends and family are so it couldn’t be more perfect
for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss her to pieces, and every
now and then look round for her to share something funny with only to realise
she is no longer there but as always life moves on and we move with it, lest we
get left high and dry when the tide goes out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore a fond farewell to Laura and thanks for all she has done for
us and a warm welcome to Catherine, the new Area Ranger for the New Forest – I am
waiting for the confusion of having two Catherine’s on one team, to inevitably
begin!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKljMcSZjm7eYRQ2u4BGNG8cJasuCRNfyzBidYK3XFM93hkaWQtYKPwjC9VoyoswDVIsKqQmDzp2bzO4yp0eylcbIvNHI388oQZ2tPkFFFkoC6xjaksEbhI4rAjzpkkUcfTikmdwfmqJF/s1600/P1000109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKljMcSZjm7eYRQ2u4BGNG8cJasuCRNfyzBidYK3XFM93hkaWQtYKPwjC9VoyoswDVIsKqQmDzp2bzO4yp0eylcbIvNHI388oQZ2tPkFFFkoC6xjaksEbhI4rAjzpkkUcfTikmdwfmqJF/s320/P1000109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura and her volunteer group, saying goodbye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I leave you with a friendly goodbye from Walter our lone
male in the sheep flock who discovered he had a fondness for looking at himself
in the camera reflection – fathead!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTwcoOSn41mKnb7di4H7FzVFX3KQ2yOWW2F29wCsa9A2Y9Oi-H-w_r7bfulUupVfPW-n-Vg1LgxQOTWmyFGXGsKn12vLq8OMAx8j-fWAyhd6tMI5YyKWulFCTq75zpLXFpQprA08DpILb/s1600/WP_20151027_10_50_54_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTwcoOSn41mKnb7di4H7FzVFX3KQ2yOWW2F29wCsa9A2Y9Oi-H-w_r7bfulUupVfPW-n-Vg1LgxQOTWmyFGXGsKn12vLq8OMAx8j-fWAyhd6tMI5YyKWulFCTq75zpLXFpQprA08DpILb/s320/WP_20151027_10_50_54_Pro.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What you lookin' at bub?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-74444293820593050312015-09-18T16:43:00.001+01:002015-09-18T16:43:29.371+01:00Autumnal musings<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">September has come upon us,
fooling us with a glorious first week of warm sunshine and clear air reminding
us that it was still summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then
week two blew in, wet and windy and grey and miserable and out went the shorts
in exchange for waterproofs and wellies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Branches snapped around us as the sudden blast of rain and wind grabbed
tenaciously at their full leaved canopy and brought the weaker limbs to
breaking point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However today we have
got a well-earned reprieve, the sun rose to a cloudless blue sky and a warm
breeze and once again you could get a sense that we weren’t quite in the darker
days yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you ever stand on
Stockbridge Down on a warm clear day, that has arrived after a run of windy wet
ones, you will always see the Buzzards and Red Kites showing off their
acrobatic skills with each other and floating lazily on the thermals as they
enjoy the chance to just laze on the warm uprisings of air once more, without
fighting against the elements.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguG0XfZtvjCu64Q5s2jMwUVXkDs9EKv27fWapkURkxytx_jCjp4ZmvFuSZSoChOxKTBnpn3hwKkXWCmx7zppVdTN69SEpvr8qbCVLBzRLQ6cTLHbT802qTUXqzCsGU90TGgmiDNj1gaSoq/s1600/P1000072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguG0XfZtvjCu64Q5s2jMwUVXkDs9EKv27fWapkURkxytx_jCjp4ZmvFuSZSoChOxKTBnpn3hwKkXWCmx7zppVdTN69SEpvr8qbCVLBzRLQ6cTLHbT802qTUXqzCsGU90TGgmiDNj1gaSoq/s320/P1000072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer's end at Mottisfont...crops harvested, hay and straw cut, the fields returning to their brown winter hue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcU8ioC9JvqD2palj04BaV-SCYGHv-UhklNMpvKaz2n6m095yNMEGAZB5Ab-QpXGfqQ6EIQD-cxQqJbkj0-Gnd1YWCirL1-eB0MVUnsCQNDzw1UARspTPqZKDewog98bg6u_-AL1DlrEl9/s1600/P1000038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbq_JPl8IJ8-rLxpOyuf1gGK45o19IIjc16Yka3FL9we7ZC34OLUPFL6sNfR2jpFwdpOgzdQAmHQt5NdRQqD4Mr8qcTsAtuYeBQrknQsD6q7T-O-d0oEHtndzFolAGy2XeVOuLikimjdy/s1600/P1000052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are just finishing off our
summer works across our sites and planning into the winter and beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As ever, our winter work schedule is jam
packed with different projects across all our habitat types, from heathland to
forestry to downland to mire and we are busily scheduling in our volunteer
groups to help assist with it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our sheep flock on Stockbridge
have grown ever rounder as they graze down their new patch of slope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have reacquainted themselves with all
their old trails and paths through the scrub and yew woodland, where they used
to roam last year before I moved them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now I can stand at the corral, give a few bellows and far, far off in
the distance I will see them emerge, like a white, woolly tide, flowing in a
stream from under their favourite patch of Beech and Yew woodland and then
gaining momentum like a breaking wave as they thunder along the slope to the
corral and the sacred Nut Bucket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
recently underwent a Freedom Foods inspection, as they do every year, and they
showed themselves off to their finest, all coming when I called and looking so
fit and healthy that the inspector actually exclaimed ‘Oh! Don’t they look <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good!?</i>.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was one of the few shining moments with this flock when I can be
slightly smug, instead of the usual moments of being trampled, kicked, head-butted,
and run ragged trying to catch stubborn ones, so I basked in the praise of the
inspector, as did the girls and Walter who stood by my side throughout it all having
his nose scratched, the very image of a faithful and loyal companion (if only
the inspector knew!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzIuUO_jTJGOqasZ0ReiMA8T6xwVCja79MOOtYl4T_8FZdp1GqESMuEIPIUbX2TWDAzeuDn_P37uVzy4aJ9P-rstTpwvF7HUOusjv9ywXuQLrBcptz4xXd3Oh8GUQLx4yq6lMBjiXHmYC/s1600/P1000041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzIuUO_jTJGOqasZ0ReiMA8T6xwVCja79MOOtYl4T_8FZdp1GqESMuEIPIUbX2TWDAzeuDn_P37uVzy4aJ9P-rstTpwvF7HUOusjv9ywXuQLrBcptz4xXd3Oh8GUQLx4yq6lMBjiXHmYC/s400/P1000041.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kingdom of the Sheep; the flock nibbling their way along the slope.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirs0tdcaOYVOkr-4hEhRK98D7JvooRRR_w4cAlRIvgbdQbIpijcCbSZZXuHRHo_et78BAJRTN7YFU96B5ShZyWH3guZcyKAXNMgKqf8m9uppWYY8bERU-8zznJcBjye2OLw5QLLzdqUdzW/s1600/P1000052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirs0tdcaOYVOkr-4hEhRK98D7JvooRRR_w4cAlRIvgbdQbIpijcCbSZZXuHRHo_et78BAJRTN7YFU96B5ShZyWH3guZcyKAXNMgKqf8m9uppWYY8bERU-8zznJcBjye2OLw5QLLzdqUdzW/s320/P1000052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grazing of grassland helps ensure a short, herb rich sward which benefits species such as this Adonis Blue butterfly, which i found freshly emerged on Stockbridge a few weeks ago. Electric blue!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One job that is an ongoing task
all year round is the maintenance of areas like boardwalks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our site along the river Hamble, Curbridge
Nature Reserve, is a long sinuous stretch of Ancient woodland alongside the
tidal estuary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout this woodland
runs stretches of boardwalk that was installed 9 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As is natural after time and the elements
have taken their toll, every now and then the odd plank rots and snaps out and
needs replacing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having made a note of
how many planks were required this time round I rummaged around in our wood
yard cutting bits to size until I had what was needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next challenge was finding a way to get
them all onsite – due to the nature of the site you can park a truck at either
end of the 1.5km stretch of woodland but from there onwards you must walk in as
it is not accessible by vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Naturally all the boardwalk pieces were scattered through the middle
areas of the site so I figured I would have to carry everything in in bits…and
then came my Bright Idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
several large Ikea rucksack style bags that are meant to be for sorting
recycling products that you can then put on your back and take to a recycling
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They stand about 4 feet high and
we bought some to use as forestry bags in felling season so we could have our
sledgehammer, wedges, tool kit etc. all in a bag that we could move from tree
to tree instead of running back and forth carrying stuff or lobbing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured I could use one of these bags, fill
it with wooden planks and all the tools I needed and walk it all in to the site
to where I needed it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So off I went, got to the site,
parked up and wedged nine 3ftx6inchx2inch planks into the bag, added hammers,
drills, nails, tape measure etc. and was set to go….until I tried to lift
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a brief struggle I heaved the
bag onto the back of the truck, turned around and put it on my back and then
stood up straight…and promptly toppled to one side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a bit of readjustment I got the thing
straight on my back and then wobbled off into the woodland, staggering slightly
left and right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not very good at
doing things in small pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
rather heft everything in all at once under great strain, instead of doing lots
of little journeys – an attitude which I fear will one day leave me either
superhumanly strong or crippled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t
go into huge detail but needless to say, walking around the woods for 3 hours,
staggering up and down the hills with that almighty weight on my back, felt
like some kind of boot camp torture – and I was the only person initiating
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each time I got to a plank that
needed repair, I threw the bag down in relief, knowing that I would be making
it lighter by getting rid of some of the contents into the boardwalk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inevitably, after hiking the length of the
woodland on the bottom path and then back again on the top path (with many
stops of various benches to try and recover) I was not in the best of
tempers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat on an open stretch of
boardwalk to eat my lunch, ignore the bruises on my back and try and regain the
feeling in my shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhlNPfvR4RIi7mxCvZMbgMUOCJLNZDvZUVSLzgQRpBKoANLMylTgW9mYEuAqiAfddP9WhEQjX8NVoprh46K3CkTVj9K4qu2Je3T49_K6v8jpjuCo_9sy6PqJfZ-UsVItxaVDaYdCU2FRT/s1600/P1000065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhlNPfvR4RIi7mxCvZMbgMUOCJLNZDvZUVSLzgQRpBKoANLMylTgW9mYEuAqiAfddP9WhEQjX8NVoprh46K3CkTVj9K4qu2Je3T49_K6v8jpjuCo_9sy6PqJfZ-UsVItxaVDaYdCU2FRT/s320/P1000065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirror image on the Hamble</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I crossly
chewed on my sandwich, cursing the site for its inaccessibility, I glared angrily out
at the water that rippled gently before me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little Egrets sat perched in the fallen
skeletons of trees that lay sideways in the river, where they had fallen long
ago and a heron stalked the shallows looking for prey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere in the reed beds Bitterns lurked,
having already been seen and heard booming in the last few weeks and overhead
Ospreys sometimes flew on their long migrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I gazed out at that exquisite view I
started to feel myself oh so slowly relaxing, the simmering anger began to dissipate
into the estuary, to be carried away out to sea, and I began to fall back under
the spell which this site always puts me under;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A complete sense of timelessness and detachment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You could be anywhere and anywhen, completely
alone and yet not lonely, the modern world ceasing to exist with just an
eternal, spiritual changelessness that captures you and soothes the weariest of
minds and most aching of hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you
look out at the diamond like glitter of the sun on the tide, with a vast blue
sky above it, nothing in the view hints at the modern day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is easy enough to go back through the
ages, the Romans, the Saxons and all who have come before to this site and
stood in this spot and looked at this view and imagine yourself as one of them
and when you finally come out of your reverie, you feel refreshed and reborn
and you have fallen in love with the site all over again.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Such is the beauty, the magic,
the purity of Hamble. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingSmjVS8R5MWafzytqVsHTIXeBrz26fCG0iQPtvNMR24onv005NSGXPayyxFkxALvE5lt8dzYo5kpZJaERByvM43FSqWouFFfGBhwg2FM9j4b24sycpDRaTI69WF0C69Pj-B7dmojuv-l/s1600/P1000061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingSmjVS8R5MWafzytqVsHTIXeBrz26fCG0iQPtvNMR24onv005NSGXPayyxFkxALvE5lt8dzYo5kpZJaERByvM43FSqWouFFfGBhwg2FM9j4b24sycpDRaTI69WF0C69Pj-B7dmojuv-l/s640/P1000061.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-51810778585997353952015-08-19T14:44:00.000+01:002015-08-19T14:45:31.828+01:00There goes the Swallow....<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>'There goes the Swallow - could we but follow! Hasty Swallow, stay; point us out the way'.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> - Christina.G.Rossetti</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dare I say it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost can’t bear to but there is no
escaping it…the first few leaves are starting to fall here in the grounds of
Mottisfont.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Acer trees are beginning
to turn from vibrant green to the deep, glowing tones of red and gold, which,
along with the darker evenings and the vanishing of the Swifts, are signalling
the first tiny hint of seasonal change that is to come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But let’s keep focusing on summer
for the time being as it is too soon to think yet of colder weather and darker
days.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDGHMTl7dK1Yi-BC4l83EBMEBtFASMFTwW726xMXfK_UppefLhoy4AYAbucamF5IjrVIKb6vbecjtQ04EetCKrFf5OQnomBoJuiR89Hr88tcahNYdOSyICTDLLvkU9kO-JBq4BVRnnPbZ/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDGHMTl7dK1Yi-BC4l83EBMEBtFASMFTwW726xMXfK_UppefLhoy4AYAbucamF5IjrVIKb6vbecjtQ04EetCKrFf5OQnomBoJuiR89Hr88tcahNYdOSyICTDLLvkU9kO-JBq4BVRnnPbZ/s320/IMG_0539.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This tree in the grounds is just beginning to get its golden gleam of autumn leaves from the top down...almost looks lit up like a flame.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In our staff carpark we have many
open barn style buildings, where vehicles or items are stored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These classic style barns, with roof and
rafters also make great homes for nesting birds – and I have spent the last
couple of weeks keeping my eye on a nest of swallows that inhabited our ‘buggy’
barn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched the nestlings grow from
three beaks attached to three piles of fluff, into more defined Swallow like
creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bLB_8tTKQgV_ohE_oEtbka2fP35IRyZ9ldU9uGkmPIYQWH0NP63S4OtxB1d44mjUIbDMjmseKzDYXHQBx4gYUfrRSp8xUZK-U22TD3T543ARnfcTEJY_JZeGnMg89dpZXyI0CQcqskRi/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bLB_8tTKQgV_ohE_oEtbka2fP35IRyZ9ldU9uGkmPIYQWH0NP63S4OtxB1d44mjUIbDMjmseKzDYXHQBx4gYUfrRSp8xUZK-U22TD3T543ARnfcTEJY_JZeGnMg89dpZXyI0CQcqskRi/s320/IMG_0541.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grumpy looking chicks...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The parents would swoop in
elegantly and at high speed, seemingly invincible to all the obstacles in their
way and they would zoom up to their nest whereupon three yellow noisy mouths
would all gape open and yell, until they were shoved full of food and whoosh!
Off the parent bird would shoot, back out the barn into the open air and the
insect buffet that floated around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually one day I noticed that the chicks had got so big they almost
hung out the nest and I reckoned they must be very close to fledging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh470OCXoLhkKV31Y0kvpUYGYnWuybDcl_EUEiwjwEF_Gzxz29_xvH_oBPFI00mrokZMZi5bBk4YUymQYVKUYN2EgIysJ6i3e7HmLuaAR9QfYWwjK14V9WTahqtaiv9vZMetySvD5bHFpWb/s1600/IMG_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh470OCXoLhkKV31Y0kvpUYGYnWuybDcl_EUEiwjwEF_Gzxz29_xvH_oBPFI00mrokZMZi5bBk4YUymQYVKUYN2EgIysJ6i3e7HmLuaAR9QfYWwjK14V9WTahqtaiv9vZMetySvD5bHFpWb/s320/IMG_0554.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Definitely big enough to leave the nest now!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Each time I walked by I peered in and up to
see if they had plucked up enough courage until finally, I saw that the bravest
and biggest chick was fluttering around rather wobbly on its wings, from
hanging ivy stem to rafter and back again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The parents flew around calling and encouraging it (and probably
shouting at the other two to get off their fat behinds and give it a go) but
after a while of squatting on a beam blinking and looking rather fat and
bemused, the chick fluttered back up into the nest and back to the safety of
its siblings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Two days later, I looked
in and saw the nest was empty – and the whole family were sat on the rafters
together looking down before all leaping into space and soaring up and out the
barn and away, the chicks in their slightly duller plumage and a bit wobbly on
the wing, but learning fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon they
will be gathering on the phone lines to chat about their long journey to Africa
and, if we are lucky, this family will return next summer to the exact same
barn – such an incredible migration.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our volunteers have been kept
busy around our estate with the usual summer tasks of fence line
maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems we have a constant
battle to upkeep, install and maintain fence lines across our lands – once you
have got them all up to scratch, the first lot have disappeared into the
undergrowth again! There are also many fence lines that have been long
swallowed by invading trees and scrub and brambles and need rescuing – the
perfect summer task for large groups of eager volunteers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest field they have been tackling
this year is Conservation field, a wetland field we have along the Test Way and
one where the fence line was completely dilapidated and buried under
overhanging, fallen trees and years of bramble and nettle growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Send in the volunteers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Days of chainsawing, brushcutting, bowsawing
and loppering have gone into exposing the old fence, followed by days of
pulling out the old, broken pieces of wire and rotten posts, all to be replaced
with new ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trees and scrub have been
cut and processed – larger stuff will go into our log processing business,
whilst the smaller stuff and scrub is being put through the chipper, the
resulting chip mulch from which we will put around our young trees in the
plantation areas, to act as a weed preventing mulch mat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I helped Ryan do some chipping last week and
was impressed at just how big a limb you could feed into the chipper – it takes
up to about 8 inches diameter, and you watch it get sucked in by the rollers
and crunched without any obvious effort apart from an increase in noise, before
it all gets spat out the top chute as chipped mush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help but keep thinking what a
nasty way to go that would be for a person – a bit morbid, but best to be wary
of these things!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTiVWa1wfSEFKEORMYjG6LiPSgpAmfUrBRbYl-vY8KJe2d4JW5X6xsumGku_5ziw_yS3NhdtVgsuMjd9792T-TIsgSobGDE9dTzuggD7J-xfx09EuttpFVBuS1B6yujx7h34UdfgGWFcl/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTiVWa1wfSEFKEORMYjG6LiPSgpAmfUrBRbYl-vY8KJe2d4JW5X6xsumGku_5ziw_yS3NhdtVgsuMjd9792T-TIsgSobGDE9dTzuggD7J-xfx09EuttpFVBuS1B6yujx7h34UdfgGWFcl/s320/IMG_0555.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautifully cleared ditch and fenceline in conservation field.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another big summer project we
have been doing is the next stage of our river bank restoration project on
Stockbridge Marsh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The marsh has a
tributary of the river Test running along its Western boundary and being that
the site is very popular with local dog walkers and also has livestock grazing
it, the river bank gets put under a lot of pressure – more so than just the
usual pressure of river flow alongside it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Over the years the bank has been crumbling and falling away in great
chunks, as dogs use it to climb out of the river and thus scrabble and erode at
the bank, weakening it, which then in turn makes it more vulnerable when cattle
graze along it and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year saw
the installation of a section of fence along the upper reaches of the river
bank, as well as geotextile material and faggots be put in place along the
river bank edge, to effectively form a new bank edge whilst the eroded bank
grew some vegetation and restabilised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fence would prevent any pressure from dogs or livestock being put
upon the bank whilst it recovered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
results from last year have been very promising – the vegetation has thrived,
with reeds, sedges, Fleabane, Water Mint, Water Parsnip and much more all
taking root and taking off, which will all help in the long term, to bind the
bank together and prevent it from constantly crumbling and falling away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8EN5akYJIrXpaQ8tFlLakB1f_e03xkS7pHtsgSuLbx10_8JY_F-X1UHTGwPeTGWk2KTfQUlI5jlZApt450Il6kpP9NWEhdGCF4ABH6XyIo7WhhQumGGc96JNK43xQSy2hGE17Ff-Jgcy/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8EN5akYJIrXpaQ8tFlLakB1f_e03xkS7pHtsgSuLbx10_8JY_F-X1UHTGwPeTGWk2KTfQUlI5jlZApt450Il6kpP9NWEhdGCF4ABH6XyIo7WhhQumGGc96JNK43xQSy2hGE17Ff-Jgcy/s320/IMG_1393.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014: After the installation of the fence and geotextile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDR_MuZqnT-0ZNQrgQDqlc3iQ_AqFG0uXSOzVo7nfLAcIZTE2aRIqS9pgv60O7cScUPbgXsVY6-a2auI7uviKnz9ASpl6g8kdMzzqsGiz2zyl0FEK88f7Dfxp28w9ewTwcbqboA6uMv4pC/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDR_MuZqnT-0ZNQrgQDqlc3iQ_AqFG0uXSOzVo7nfLAcIZTE2aRIqS9pgv60O7cScUPbgXsVY6-a2auI7uviKnz9ASpl6g8kdMzzqsGiz2zyl0FEK88f7Dfxp28w9ewTwcbqboA6uMv4pC/s320/IMG_0464.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same spot 2015: Bank side vegetation has shot up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrV_QXI0ZWEgFHwN23hRTmYF3tnnKsrCAz6hTT-OUoxYGn11UgwC7vg3SkVkoppFnbGWEOb0s2Ye3eK-wTYrKSitCdWJ1mdKpLqYsczF0owu04XtnMNvPdqEb9QTprphwjOsZ2uPnV7Kqf/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrV_QXI0ZWEgFHwN23hRTmYF3tnnKsrCAz6hTT-OUoxYGn11UgwC7vg3SkVkoppFnbGWEOb0s2Ye3eK-wTYrKSitCdWJ1mdKpLqYsczF0owu04XtnMNvPdqEb9QTprphwjOsZ2uPnV7Kqf/s320/IMG_0463.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegetation growing up around the faggots.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The results were so pleasing that the Court
Leet of Stockbridge, with whom we regularly work with over issues on the common
land of the Down and Marsh, asked us to install a further stretch of fencing
down to the ford area in order to begin the recovery of the second stage of the
bank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has now gone in and we are
currently putting in more geotextile, faggots and vegetation to kick start the
process, so fingers crossed this will be as successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously with the fencing off of a beautiful
area of river bank, there have been some unhappy comments from a few
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst I agree that it is a
shame that it is no longer as accessible to children playing or dogs swimming,
we have to understand that being a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
and common land we cannot just stand by and watch it continually erode away
under the increased pressure it has become subjected to – we have a duty of
care to preserve the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
still areas where the river is accessible to people and dogs – by the top
footbridge into the town and at the ford area which remains accessible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also the stretch of river below the ford
remains unfenced, but obviously if we can encourage people to stick to the ford
area it will prevent the remaining bank being hit hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As well as planting up the bank with
vegetation to give it a head start, we are also looking into a project to try
and bring some peat infill to the large inlets that have begun to crack and
wind their way across the marsh from the river bank…watch this space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I shall leave you with a couple
of photos from Stockbridge Down – one of the last Dark Green Fritillaries of
the year, showing off her lovely green underside for which the species is
named, and a photo of a rare insect called the Hornet Robberfly that we have on
Stockbridge that was recorded in the last bio survey back in 1998 – so it was
brilliant to see that it is still present on site! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT71z8QbaRK1QMegJKsRdATtgYdS8z9vLYglipFtOaA843hurikNoHk7HTuCUl49ceuvVAOdl44PyYED1kgZ1qT8ynZluxd3sl48EnE7M2bEbdjjNSxMZOays0SUrKFhk35wc_v_qqDhcn/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT71z8QbaRK1QMegJKsRdATtgYdS8z9vLYglipFtOaA843hurikNoHk7HTuCUl49ceuvVAOdl44PyYED1kgZ1qT8ynZluxd3sl48EnE7M2bEbdjjNSxMZOays0SUrKFhk35wc_v_qqDhcn/s320/IMG_0546.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Lady</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyronG0ryJtTSiK3d2Wj939WLfuKgkzfrHISdBj8OIJFRmON7dGJWJBFzkdfHap4m8GFvcqgafrm0cYGmaL1Fl-qd9bl7xIFDzIThbk2IIq19ZPMJw7GX6KuRdz0Dup8Ln_RZKBRSGV70o/s1600/Hornet+Robberfly++prey+Stockbridge+Down+6+7+15+%2528M.Oates%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyronG0ryJtTSiK3d2Wj939WLfuKgkzfrHISdBj8OIJFRmON7dGJWJBFzkdfHap4m8GFvcqgafrm0cYGmaL1Fl-qd9bl7xIFDzIThbk2IIq19ZPMJw7GX6KuRdz0Dup8Ln_RZKBRSGV70o/s320/Hornet+Robberfly++prey+Stockbridge+Down+6+7+15+%2528M.Oates%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hornet Robberfly feasting on an unfortunate victim...(Credit: M.Oates)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-3550217027556985722015-08-05T15:12:00.001+01:002015-08-05T15:12:59.414+01:00Its been a while!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Long Lost Greetings to you
all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been nearly two months since
my last blog post and for this I can only apologise – time has constantly
passed me by on swift wings and I have not had a spare moment in the office to
write anything up in detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I finally
find myself in a brief lull for an hour or so, and so I shall use it to update
on our summer adventures so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This time of year of course it is
just a blessing and a joy to be outside all day working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trees are all shades of green and the
land is littered with wild flowers all coming in and out of season on their own
personal cycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am keeping a beady eye
on the various fruity potential for foraging already on all our sites, and I can
see the apple crop is looking very promising for this year’s cider making – but
I will have to be patient and wait a while yet.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vDp23QoqbpfbD6Gp1iLVbtTqLc7sgbfranDeURxCyMX6Ua8xmmWhWW0RCeg7O4FcFFkT0gESF12NoiStRdOcM8T-VhkKIO_DCcAPCTiofl1hQNGfejlB-ytlPAOQdMa-MdgbaI1qcBAm/s1600/IMG_0525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vDp23QoqbpfbD6Gp1iLVbtTqLc7sgbfranDeURxCyMX6Ua8xmmWhWW0RCeg7O4FcFFkT0gESF12NoiStRdOcM8T-VhkKIO_DCcAPCTiofl1hQNGfejlB-ytlPAOQdMa-MdgbaI1qcBAm/s320/IMG_0525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blackberries are ripe and the sloes are already on the Blackthorn in high numbers...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEXFr63Bhr3Taa_U3Zrsk0RPMaZOURni5DBuFDvzb20qJNitEmVT2cp5-jwMYVzgy1ml-x38-PDfaY59q4OYcu_sOWn231a2t41lwGygqDiqG4rLHP-HkVbtgMjXFF2IIi4hG6SIKj5y_/s1600/IMG_0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEXFr63Bhr3Taa_U3Zrsk0RPMaZOURni5DBuFDvzb20qJNitEmVT2cp5-jwMYVzgy1ml-x38-PDfaY59q4OYcu_sOWn231a2t41lwGygqDiqG4rLHP-HkVbtgMjXFF2IIi4hG6SIKj5y_/s320/IMG_0467.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last years blackberry wine has just been bottled - ready for more months of maturing.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meanwhile, Elderflower champagne
has come and gone in a fizzing pop, Pickled Ash Keys (a new recipe for me this
year) are currently maturing in a dark cupboard, the blackberries are ready for
blackberry wine and whisky and, my latest culinary adventure from the great
outdoors…pickled walnuts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every year I leave
it too late to try this, but this year I finally remembered to pick some in
July, before the inner shells have hardened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mottisfont gardens have several huge Walnut trees<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that grace the lawns, so after work one day I
helped myself to a couple of tubful’s…turned out to be 4kg worth, slightly more
than I anticipated, but I kept seeing a ‘really good one’ that I had to
pick!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following two weeks of soaking in
briny water and then a day airing in the sun, whereby they all turned black and
looked like unappealing lumps of coal, I have since simmered them up with
vinegar, ginger and spices and put them into jars to mature….supposedly good
with cheese, I will let you know the end result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It maybe that everyone I know gets a jar of
pickled walnuts for Christmas this year…</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfj9RxsWUCnknpoIic0JjumHbxyc93XXsvP-o6HTjq67FhShstHR-z6iMtWvWlX6EUiH_Qz4CAnR2OUCAbDP8zSnxNoFyKIKj_Sr6aafU5chgohDWzbw-HaN94WXbMwhN1jeTf5xixNd_b/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfj9RxsWUCnknpoIic0JjumHbxyc93XXsvP-o6HTjq67FhShstHR-z6iMtWvWlX6EUiH_Qz4CAnR2OUCAbDP8zSnxNoFyKIKj_Sr6aafU5chgohDWzbw-HaN94WXbMwhN1jeTf5xixNd_b/s320/IMG_0429.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From tree...</td></tr>
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</span></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabPjfFqgFPQIj-CQ75A-Z-om6dZb_U07LXkMEaXZQUprJ_NX0aokpBZsiG2ZYTWucv3X3PKGFp9BQeRIlbb-QBusu_zHrboHTflwxirE0YjdeGJE2RtiyI697o-6gGfgQrESB6DChql5W/s1600/IMG_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabPjfFqgFPQIj-CQ75A-Z-om6dZb_U07LXkMEaXZQUprJ_NX0aokpBZsiG2ZYTWucv3X3PKGFp9BQeRIlbb-QBusu_zHrboHTflwxirE0YjdeGJE2RtiyI697o-6gGfgQrESB6DChql5W/s320/IMG_0465.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to brine....</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaGy7BQKyCxOB90HbEtI4QJZIlZdZKU0_WUkc0rsj6aZsE2LCFWD6DC2Z_sgfuzJ1oUybwD2BHZgdxZufnb1tIpaJ3xQhA9JN5ZITMA2Zz3_AHkhYioZcrmlGCiACV6B7SgfkocqMyPeB/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaGy7BQKyCxOB90HbEtI4QJZIlZdZKU0_WUkc0rsj6aZsE2LCFWD6DC2Z_sgfuzJ1oUybwD2BHZgdxZufnb1tIpaJ3xQhA9JN5ZITMA2Zz3_AHkhYioZcrmlGCiACV6B7SgfkocqMyPeB/s320/IMG_0490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to air dried - ready for the pickle and spice mix!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meanwhile, when I haven’t been
making things to eat and drink, the work on our sites goes on as always, full
steam ahead with little room for breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stockbridge Down is looking, as always at this time of year, truly fabulous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst the Marbled Whites and Dark Green
Fritillaries are nearly gone now, with just a few faded individuals loyally
hanging on, the Chalkhill Blues have come into their own and taken up their
August rule of the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this one
month only, they are the Kings and Queens and entire army, more numerous than
any other species I have seen here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Clouds of them flutter up around you as you walk, from every pathway,
every flowery verge and every dog turd, they are in full peak and I urge you to
go on a sunny day and immerse yourself in their shimmering, silvery blue
beauty.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadJ4Fp2dhmjpHJwlTWw0ap3wczU8-Ze7019UmbLaPlB8ZJLSx59J_5gfRxRqYAgIwO5jE_Co0eRm47rHPWD0DTb6LxUVdOLm05agDaLFRFxA-zv9H74g7sXzi7rKrwbfcLsB0Xi_VjRIA/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadJ4Fp2dhmjpHJwlTWw0ap3wczU8-Ze7019UmbLaPlB8ZJLSx59J_5gfRxRqYAgIwO5jE_Co0eRm47rHPWD0DTb6LxUVdOLm05agDaLFRFxA-zv9H74g7sXzi7rKrwbfcLsB0Xi_VjRIA/s400/IMG_0500.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill beauty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BI7uOKcUPZc8gptBmM9HiVB1EGA8LrFvT7NACeJFhSFcqwaoU8C3ye06XltWYa6s7kug9DRPmrBPqWVkDwKDeDjmVfS0rrMIT98eqUUgIOIZjWKdyLdw9gfSL1-BCB7BpF8b5fnbjmQA/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BI7uOKcUPZc8gptBmM9HiVB1EGA8LrFvT7NACeJFhSFcqwaoU8C3ye06XltWYa6s7kug9DRPmrBPqWVkDwKDeDjmVfS0rrMIT98eqUUgIOIZjWKdyLdw9gfSL1-BCB7BpF8b5fnbjmQA/s320/IMG_0417.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In June-July seemingly every knapweed on the Down was covered in Marbled Whites - you can see three here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I have given several guided walks
on the Down over the summer which have been really successful and well received
– to be honest, a site like that shows itself off, without the need for me
waffling on in the background, but it is good to be able to explain the work we
are doing and see the results of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
result that was good to see is the area where we took a late hay cut last
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Previously rather overgrown, dominant
grassy sward, the late hay cut has done this section wonders, with the whole
area now thick with Knapweed, Scabious, Vetches, Trefoils, Salad Burnet and
many more, all being heartily enjoyed by the invertebrates of the area –
including Forester moths which I keep finding on the knapweed and which is
provoking interest within our internal bio survey team as to whether they are
Forester, Cistus Forester or Scarce Forester….watch this space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZ0Fx6TQv3mEpGnpeJiRlxpklKmvNhHmv_s_L9haR-K5tlZVlnr0AIfb51A5a15Qrs-kZlPUmKF1C9-098JGNxHyWsaEB3zWcGReHoFJkLGIEeeK42mt40ANZur3awJzjZx1SATdo-JKf/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZ0Fx6TQv3mEpGnpeJiRlxpklKmvNhHmv_s_L9haR-K5tlZVlnr0AIfb51A5a15Qrs-kZlPUmKF1C9-098JGNxHyWsaEB3zWcGReHoFJkLGIEeeK42mt40ANZur3awJzjZx1SATdo-JKf/s400/IMG_0535.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last years hay cut area - heavy with flowers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And talking of hay, of course
always leads to our sheep flock, for whom food and forage is forever on their
woolly minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have finished grazing
the Leckford slope for the year, and we recently moved them through the fence
line back onto our NT slope to start late summer grazing, now that the
wildflowers have predominantly done their thing and set seed.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They gave us the usual run around
games in that we did not get all the flock through in one day as there were a
stubborn 6 or so that refused to leave their Leckford home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, over the days and with the sheep
lookers and volunteers tempting them with a bucket of nuts each day, they
eventually were persuaded through to join the rest of the gang and now they are
all enjoying the richness of the new site – although Walter the Wether, the
minute he was moved through, started eating Yew, no doubt just to spite me!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7nlNzYg_UKMQUnu3NxOFWxO_0SsMdiDdI18pC-rePp5-wj6FjFzawc871P2uMuLGcbHLavCC2glSwpPa_ZECdRss8Z4UtdP8v1BiIX12-X0laHzCMP9UJPJP-7eA_oz0JWAU44hYBq1k/s1600/IMG_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7nlNzYg_UKMQUnu3NxOFWxO_0SsMdiDdI18pC-rePp5-wj6FjFzawc871P2uMuLGcbHLavCC2glSwpPa_ZECdRss8Z4UtdP8v1BiIX12-X0laHzCMP9UJPJP-7eA_oz0JWAU44hYBq1k/s320/IMG_0469.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knee deep in food! Gorging on fresh forage on the new slope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwfPRjYSlioeVD4Eeln6RxjPOEBzbqa29hY8rKmqwSGv-XAcUzMraJ9MKRKFEQtlibE8OPWaa5vGb-Qu87KWPub1hZz3Q9VM3Eu2l2-hdNq8VSvZunHU_13bqtHW9YE362faFxg0fr56u/s1600/IMG_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwfPRjYSlioeVD4Eeln6RxjPOEBzbqa29hY8rKmqwSGv-XAcUzMraJ9MKRKFEQtlibE8OPWaa5vGb-Qu87KWPub1hZz3Q9VM3Eu2l2-hdNq8VSvZunHU_13bqtHW9YE362faFxg0fr56u/s320/IMG_0473.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm yummy Yew tree....Walter showing off his digestion skills.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I must report that two days after
this move, I went on the slope one evening to find one of the flock in a very
bad way, having been the victim of a dog attack and left to suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been bitten round the neck and the
legs, with a lot of blood loss and chunks out the flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst I waited for the vet to arrive, I couldn’t
help but feel very, very sad that this animal, usually so feisty and feral and
full of attitude, was now reduced to this shivering pathetic wreck who leant
against my legs to keep herself upright, and who’s ears were growing cold as
life ebbed slowly away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an
inevitable euthanasia for the poor old girl which left me with the unenviable
task of trying to heave a 65kg dead weight corpse onto the back of my truck
singlehanded – luckily I had some rope which I used to make a sort of pulley
system so I could drag her over the edge and into the back - i wont even mention how much blood i had to hose out the back of my truck that night.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvn76nGdE-VaWT-mUgkmUumdv-ZgAZAZJbcc6s_L8wzNxOslGTZT4IuZluCUXst4kqUoIRSLBAH-TbJz1eO4BPDHeex-iq5c2s20KhYXcp7JgmerVXtBWnDLeL6BBC7K3xt9Fq2O1f0iGw/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love dogs, one day, no doubt I will
own one myself, but I can never imagine myself being selfish or careless enough
to let my dog go out of control near livestock – if there was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">any</i> risk of its instincts taking over
enough that I couldn’t call it to heel, then it would be on a lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realise sometimes these unfortunate
collisions between pets and livestock happen, but with 60 hectares of the Down
sheep free, and news signs on every gate telling people that the sheep were
back on the slope, I was so disappointed that this happened within 36 hours of
their return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was even more saddened
that the person involved could not even ring in anonymously just to let us know
there was an injured sheep – if I hadn’t had happened to have been onsite that
evening, the sheep would have spent the whole night suffering until the lookers
found her the next day, if she even survived that far – it’s just sick!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, fingers crossed that will be the only
incident we have of this sort, i am well aware that it is only a tiny minority of dog walkers that can cause this issue - most of them are very conscientious people - and as ever we move onwards and upwards – the rest
of the flock are plump and fluffy and I have already reserved some new sheep
for next year, to boost the numbers….you will meet them come spring time.</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8amw732Vc4lX35pLFU5O9Nq6HN4hmqDrfKMTeRmvHMy2S8fEqLt9J1BEPqoz0w6wrz3QEofJGSM1MMg_HXXnS-I0XQ6sCwYL9cts302UeQnLMBsVdeRjBPDlwPPtfJa9NLM23PY8_00uV/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another pleasing result that has
blossomed this year is the ongoing success of our Juniper regeneration – last year
we saw two ‘mother trees’ bear five seedlings between them, in the first,
tenuous stage of our natural regeneration plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have a dissertation student who is studying the Juniper population and
the work we have done to restore it, including the winters of scrub clearance,
summer spraying of scrub regrowth<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
the seed cage installations, and he has reported to me twice this summer some
brilliant news – we have more babies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
June he found five new seedlings, three from one of last year’s mother’s, and
two from a new mother tree and then yesterday he reported a further NINE found –
two from another new mother and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seven</i>
from one of last year’s mother trees – FANTASTIC news!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was bouncing around with joy as there is
nothing quite so soul healing and thrilling as seeing all those days of hard,
cold winter clearing and hot, sweaty summer spraying, pay off in the best way
possible; natural regeneration of a population on the brink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kDEfyDBitpdsoDGoIMEFv_aRZZJGP85S6FyWC7mXBOoswmwo_ucmlwfZf7e101l3K8HNmPgyLi9oGAM0Cxs8bsBsPqr5b3O0NB2PriJY4uktTA3gxlRcCeMtjc0BOI2KzPeqqBIC-ZVS/s1600/IMG_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kDEfyDBitpdsoDGoIMEFv_aRZZJGP85S6FyWC7mXBOoswmwo_ucmlwfZf7e101l3K8HNmPgyLi9oGAM0Cxs8bsBsPqr5b3O0NB2PriJY4uktTA3gxlRcCeMtjc0BOI2KzPeqqBIC-ZVS/s320/IMG_0444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another young 'un!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC69eqC_oKyYaf9c6FacAxzhcUUOjlcLNLyKri7VrUEBdsFRNkFYywwwSnqxkMbdYy3GIaT2aqU-HmASt1xfO5MgtDwKtCp5xPYJlx7UTDK5oGXWLcegUEdSefXYxEJKL3qUigc9GPqL56/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC69eqC_oKyYaf9c6FacAxzhcUUOjlcLNLyKri7VrUEBdsFRNkFYywwwSnqxkMbdYy3GIaT2aqU-HmASt1xfO5MgtDwKtCp5xPYJlx7UTDK5oGXWLcegUEdSefXYxEJKL3qUigc9GPqL56/s320/IMG_0529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The area round the Juniper we cleared of tight scrub 3 winters ago - now a grassy, Wild Marjoram filled paradise, room to breathe!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And it’s not even just a one hit
wonder – two years in a row and more trees are bearing young each time – there
is a long way to go but I can see from this that the population is viable, the
male trees are successfully pollinating the female trees and they have survived
their entombing in scrub and emergence into the light with enough vigour to
live on and begin, oh so slowly and cautiously…to thrive….</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the last couple of spring
seasons on the Down I have spotted, every now and then, glow worm larvae
lurking on the paths and in the grass seeking out the snails and slugs that
they devour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It only occurred to me this
year to actually organise some night time surveys to see what we could find in
the way of adults and so, one June evening, having put the word out for help, I
had a group of about 18 volunteers and staff gathered on the Down ready to go
glow worm hunting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Only the female adult glow worms
glow, and despite being a beetle they don’t look very beetle like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They resemble the larvae a bit, like a long,
armour cased, segmented bug with legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The females basically glow out their backsides, and will sit in a tussock
of grass or climb up a grassy stem after dark and glow, hoping to attract a
mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The males, which are far more
beetle like, fly by, spot the light and fly down to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once a male has successfully mated with the
female, she turns her light out (like a taxi!), lays her eggs and shuffles off
this mortal coil, her work done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glow
worms live 2 years as larvae and only about 2 weeks as an adult, so they have
to get on with it once they are matured.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Divided into three groups led by
myself, Ryan and Dylan, we all marched off with our team and our map routed out
and, stumbling along in the dark (you don’t want to use a torch as it hides
their lights and the week of the new moon is best for darkness) seeing what we
could find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The light of the glow worm is
bizarre – it doesn’t look natural but more man made, like a tiny LED neon green
light you may see on a rave scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wandering round the Down in the dark was quite lovely – you have it all
to yourself, the stars were heavy in the sky above and every now and then on
the wind you heard one of the other groups shout ‘got one!’ as there was little
other noise to interfere apart from the odd calling of owls or rustle of night
creatures.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When we found a female, we would
shine a torch on her quickly to ascertain if any males were nearby or on her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our June count saw us find 14
glow worms between the three groups, which I dutifully put on the national glow
worm website.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We performed the same survey in
July (June and July being the peak times to do them) and it was like the Down
had exploded with scattered bioluminescence – 205 were counted in all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly females, including one chubby lady who
had FIVE males clutching at her – but not one of them had obviously performed
the desired task as she was still glowing strongly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While the Milky Way twinkled and
glittered above our heads, at our feet the glow worms shone like hundreds of
earth bound green stars lighting up the grassland in all directions, tiny gleaming
beacons in the dark.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-75836289255273519622015-06-22T15:24:00.000+01:002015-06-22T16:11:03.444+01:00Pictures speak a thousand words...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s been a long time since I wrote on the blog and I can only contribute
this to the sheer tidal wave of work and wildlife that engulfs us as we rush
headlong through early summer. Since my last post, our sites have exploded
into riotous displays of colour and life as the wild flowers erupt, the birds
warble all day long and the butterflies and damselflies ripple up in your wake,
in a shimmering cloud burst of vibrancy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even now, I barely have time to write
a proper post so I am afraid, it is going to be a photo frenzy of all the
fantastic wildlife I have been privileged enough to see over the last month or
so. Night jar walks, Glow worm surveys, Bat evenings, guided walks,
badger watching, butterfly hunts, the first of our annual weed cuts on the
river, dormouse surveys and of course the rest of the day job have all
conspired to keep me from my laptop for any length of time...but when the sun
is shining and summer is here, where else could you possibly want to be but
throwing yourself headlong into the stunning English countryside?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So take a put on some good music, take a peek through the pictures and get a
taste for just how fabulously full of life our countryside is right now – I can
never get enough of it at this time of year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5IWOQgD_grCH8wmAPk2Tx106zmnTfYLI8IAAuZOIo9n7looELAqhpU7GxMfVYh9ytIPG6Lsgv5Mfy7HUGnIeLUNJ5KIBYZGNhyHxNxBHuIhB6PDVLlTvV6mFsw41jGa7xRU7W8p8E0QB/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5IWOQgD_grCH8wmAPk2Tx106zmnTfYLI8IAAuZOIo9n7looELAqhpU7GxMfVYh9ytIPG6Lsgv5Mfy7HUGnIeLUNJ5KIBYZGNhyHxNxBHuIhB6PDVLlTvV6mFsw41jGa7xRU7W8p8E0QB/s400/IMG_0277.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last year we began coppicing the derelict coppice in Oakley - the ground flora that came back this year is mindblowing - Red Campion, Spurge, Bluebells, Stitchwort....beauty!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KsOTwBIoC1WAikAb1AjWJu1BR6LVKJZdL0RuQQDFfsU5LSgiOPSLlsrCEu6NN9EJ1iOl7QiGKfyl6VPhxTk8-P59OMfbMGB9s8cCQeC7Spw6JjRvpC0kdBqwRpMSeyyzQcd6G0qZu2Aj/s1600/IMG_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KsOTwBIoC1WAikAb1AjWJu1BR6LVKJZdL0RuQQDFfsU5LSgiOPSLlsrCEu6NN9EJ1iOl7QiGKfyl6VPhxTk8-P59OMfbMGB9s8cCQeC7Spw6JjRvpC0kdBqwRpMSeyyzQcd6G0qZu2Aj/s320/IMG_0285.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Female Duke of Burgundy - they have done brilliantly on Stockbridge Down this year, in the area we had coppiced in winter.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbYeBwZyFuK4kgQ7_xnMXH5yPNNNAljj8AS2XW0hsaW4OvXojeE1WC-9dP9vPlVt48X_dnG6MtJTAbZKlmYhtnhCgbXzu8-29r0hEL61pPwarlXQyY2Vvo9Gsc_zSUXa6WW8tL25nlU7k/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbYeBwZyFuK4kgQ7_xnMXH5yPNNNAljj8AS2XW0hsaW4OvXojeE1WC-9dP9vPlVt48X_dnG6MtJTAbZKlmYhtnhCgbXzu8-29r0hEL61pPwarlXQyY2Vvo9Gsc_zSUXa6WW8tL25nlU7k/s320/IMG_0304.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Male of the Swollen Thigh Beetle...named for obvious reasons!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWI4OUtzvO8ZqPwu730bkDCarw7h8xyvcyy51l-c33fxH2q9oC6YvBhSM-JjSrm72pEI2n-twcObM59ajxSUHcSaBoEVYZ9jIhxMy_reDSNdKO66_-y8hKjdJ_A6PgeAJdrihTFqYqdh5/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWI4OUtzvO8ZqPwu730bkDCarw7h8xyvcyy51l-c33fxH2q9oC6YvBhSM-JjSrm72pEI2n-twcObM59ajxSUHcSaBoEVYZ9jIhxMy_reDSNdKO66_-y8hKjdJ_A6PgeAJdrihTFqYqdh5/s320/IMG_0308.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">May and June can only mean the first booze making of the year...Elderflower champagne anyone?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqruxUObFKr3FvmFaxqp9-Bfd1MAeJYV87sBmgwO3SHe5NPFTQU-X6EqHKbFBpnQpLab2Eg22x8OhZ0xMJgOUlFJED1ts2hwWQM16HfKEgF4abmHVxcGBRcHQxFVuZPRlEXERkwkKlENn/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqruxUObFKr3FvmFaxqp9-Bfd1MAeJYV87sBmgwO3SHe5NPFTQU-X6EqHKbFBpnQpLab2Eg22x8OhZ0xMJgOUlFJED1ts2hwWQM16HfKEgF4abmHVxcGBRcHQxFVuZPRlEXERkwkKlENn/s320/IMG_0329.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Summer sunsets</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1jwAF-Jfk0pNLLtsGEqoby-yls0JVNXn2OsxRiyk1O9Fnke0qJZGfbX4KZTjxFv0J5ByUpgAoYXMnPOarUHxndJQCkXfqHl8bkXrO4vcNzBKTLtxuIkXi9ddiBsEyIMtGxQ2XvGRI2C3/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1jwAF-Jfk0pNLLtsGEqoby-yls0JVNXn2OsxRiyk1O9Fnke0qJZGfbX4KZTjxFv0J5ByUpgAoYXMnPOarUHxndJQCkXfqHl8bkXrO4vcNzBKTLtxuIkXi9ddiBsEyIMtGxQ2XvGRI2C3/s320/IMG_0332.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The jackdaws in the staff carpark taking their first hop out into the New World...and looking rather baffled about it.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQItk9-XE5NlIckQqg3ZQ1b_m-4k97c4mA9rx_shtHHCB58EVcbfSFLo_Gxd746yHIKU-ZJTb05v0bOxZxtTJU5J7HcUstJ2T-_g352nCzIp4uUJmBvDp_DbeQpkmS6TaIKdsfw2n2Molg/s1600/IMG_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQItk9-XE5NlIckQqg3ZQ1b_m-4k97c4mA9rx_shtHHCB58EVcbfSFLo_Gxd746yHIKU-ZJTb05v0bOxZxtTJU5J7HcUstJ2T-_g352nCzIp4uUJmBvDp_DbeQpkmS6TaIKdsfw2n2Molg/s320/IMG_0362.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A great badger watching evening - a family of five, including two chubby cubs.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADeROaWaAaUirRgru5zlfiHzGqcUF9IYUVudhHug-Sbiye9UBl97YXu9NzKNu3Udxanqcsik60qFMVJGh1-qhJwiIrbgqaPJ2oY_Bfs6O_02P4du4aWdLQzaDZ0wgRBvNszjENobUqP4C/s1600/IMG_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADeROaWaAaUirRgru5zlfiHzGqcUF9IYUVudhHug-Sbiye9UBl97YXu9NzKNu3Udxanqcsik60qFMVJGh1-qhJwiIrbgqaPJ2oY_Bfs6O_02P4du4aWdLQzaDZ0wgRBvNszjENobUqP4C/s320/IMG_0370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFu-aRMV40MYjbAAnpSZcq0BqmyY108Kyy0oh-K0Xc7HfWO0nbjm6FAN6NiIm24NdjDQxaWrflX6AfRrFpx8Nel57JSMTS5R-IMZwh3KEwodw4W6tgvcmOihfY61zTnuRDLtNwFn8Ggmx/s1600/IMG_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFu-aRMV40MYjbAAnpSZcq0BqmyY108Kyy0oh-K0Xc7HfWO0nbjm6FAN6NiIm24NdjDQxaWrflX6AfRrFpx8Nel57JSMTS5R-IMZwh3KEwodw4W6tgvcmOihfY61zTnuRDLtNwFn8Ggmx/s320/IMG_0393.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The swan family making the most of the weed rafts</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluwuQW2TpeLROYnHDGw2m4EM7dfZAb_SA6FOF7Mlcv3-VBN4bEHUbVnqpqP4xFnZMG18LrnXYNHwXOxp5wwg-ipysnuC8rbIa4sVjA7SiOpQCiaw3-D-v6tJSPmrjCDl6mhoONeK_wcKm/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluwuQW2TpeLROYnHDGw2m4EM7dfZAb_SA6FOF7Mlcv3-VBN4bEHUbVnqpqP4xFnZMG18LrnXYNHwXOxp5wwg-ipysnuC8rbIa4sVjA7SiOpQCiaw3-D-v6tJSPmrjCDl6mhoONeK_wcKm/s320/IMG_0395.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Rectory beat looking superb in the sun</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkrtNmM6XK5G69KCPwVU_WhYEy-14CcirFjn4cpy5EQ2sf8VV1knEwMhXTkwYWPxgn4fcPF3Jlm32lPcDxcQ2pdiUT4-XN8p1xsenf9WGeIm2YagIVI6_Q3XnF3n_SD6gbG8jipksnYJ4/s1600/MVI_0413.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1u6yKeHb-KaYaXMkkSz7zipM0_rof8dJdFIa8GdalTcMrkwN9UIu4ldUNZApelDOZYeLLmNxAqnpIMItA7K5zZ2ooAN19i5YrhEndhtK3a7iYqDV-W9yrzz5McoigTS8SeDlJ8Li7So_/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1u6yKeHb-KaYaXMkkSz7zipM0_rof8dJdFIa8GdalTcMrkwN9UIu4ldUNZApelDOZYeLLmNxAqnpIMItA7K5zZ2ooAN19i5YrhEndhtK3a7iYqDV-W9yrzz5McoigTS8SeDlJ8Li7So_/s320/IMG_0399.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damselflies everywhere....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwJO3COyXKYZaX7mPMh09lM2Ix1jJUq2TrCu4cF0cUrlu0w4aKeBcDTtqwkjay9OIJgJYtuT1ZHqlfGqeveRqDblrn-q5aksoeQqehoccRZ0_z1c9QT0tUBfm4GsG9VdNHxpIW5LYqsn8/s1600/IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwJO3COyXKYZaX7mPMh09lM2Ix1jJUq2TrCu4cF0cUrlu0w4aKeBcDTtqwkjay9OIJgJYtuT1ZHqlfGqeveRqDblrn-q5aksoeQqehoccRZ0_z1c9QT0tUBfm4GsG9VdNHxpIW5LYqsn8/s320/IMG_0403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Including this Southern Damselfly which took a rest on my hand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlqfYXWnUu1EnUnRqufZYzSsn7Ve7O2J_LOW0qY9ycC2iB0S1jcBZTnshnw4dCdF8RKlE5d4pDWxzAf69rBrQMKlKOHUMAsX9Vbj1CaDDMRIzXhrfzEX5j1CWZkplHbJTZ6QU1CuRHVco/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlqfYXWnUu1EnUnRqufZYzSsn7Ve7O2J_LOW0qY9ycC2iB0S1jcBZTnshnw4dCdF8RKlE5d4pDWxzAf69rBrQMKlKOHUMAsX9Vbj1CaDDMRIzXhrfzEX5j1CWZkplHbJTZ6QU1CuRHVco/s320/IMG_0407.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snuffling podgy hedgehogs on our front lawn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilecDCAkNGHALJCJ9-6ZYgwp3FEcPjL3QKCVBe7pE1xMUYj_Us2tfqqXT0014aJlDlTGTsuV1qDxF3dnp1ZJTWYcEDU9t9nwzAC6YuGstdR9grsM32Uw70N2XtH3Xx71pEDkDppcb41QYh/s1600/IMG_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilecDCAkNGHALJCJ9-6ZYgwp3FEcPjL3QKCVBe7pE1xMUYj_Us2tfqqXT0014aJlDlTGTsuV1qDxF3dnp1ZJTWYcEDU9t9nwzAC6YuGstdR9grsM32Uw70N2XtH3Xx71pEDkDppcb41QYh/s320/IMG_0384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glow worm survey on Stockbridge Down - spot the tiny green glow of the female's bum?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLX8gaWbZ77rG014pjSDaeDQ8g-7HYDKaLDsk68Zh4nZTXbURPUq_UmB9nb35XOt0r0V817wEoGl07DDv2abqWd8Z4RTquLK1KCHpYjQl5ruwRsDkdJBrx5I1FES_wDrJeNyEzIq8z2oq/s1600/IMG_0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLX8gaWbZ77rG014pjSDaeDQ8g-7HYDKaLDsk68Zh4nZTXbURPUq_UmB9nb35XOt0r0V817wEoGl07DDv2abqWd8Z4RTquLK1KCHpYjQl5ruwRsDkdJBrx5I1FES_wDrJeNyEzIq8z2oq/s320/IMG_0390.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female glow worm complete with 3 males trying to mate with her. Once the lucky winner completes his task, she will turn her light out, lay her eggs and die.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fox cub hanging by her den</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8F176GVQ9mWkzcmnIWtEJjnRU2Ru50oG9CZ1FyvyZ7Qrg9TwSB-4DNKKXiUw4bkquMPLIo_ZhVH5mxM0zU6oIpUSe-BIFC9FPw0S9SJUbEtRYXI_JfkGC84rkZasr6gk7laQJOMpbph8w/s1600/FB_20150619_23_17_32_Saved_Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8F176GVQ9mWkzcmnIWtEJjnRU2Ru50oG9CZ1FyvyZ7Qrg9TwSB-4DNKKXiUw4bkquMPLIo_ZhVH5mxM0zU6oIpUSe-BIFC9FPw0S9SJUbEtRYXI_JfkGC84rkZasr6gk7laQJOMpbph8w/s320/FB_20150619_23_17_32_Saved_Picture.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping Neil push weed down the river Dun during the June weed cut....then we hit the Big blockage...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And after that, we hit the even Bigger Blockage! 12 hours after we began, we finally got it all shifted...<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
To see how we got through this blockage, check out the video link: https://youtu.be/rhFQKLFgJX4 </div>
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</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have been having fun setting up wildlife camera traps across our estate - this one features chubby Otters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sickenly sweet torpid dormouse on a survey - not at Mottisfont unfortunately. Clutching his leafy teddy bear! Picture credit: S.Stileman</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And of course, June at Mottisfont means the Rose garden is in full bloom and looking tremendous.</span></td></tr>
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<![endif]-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-24298513824297898062015-05-14T16:11:00.001+01:002015-05-15T21:34:01.520+01:00This Fairytale World we live in.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The other day, when I had a rare
moment to spare, I took a wander into Herless Copse, which is one of our
smaller woodlands which lies just off the village cricket pitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout the winter months (and detailed in
my blog post last November) the volunteers had cleared back four cross rides in
here, North-South and East-West, in order to encourage biodiversity of woodland
margins, and encourage ground flora, butterflies, bees as well as create
corridor habitats for creatures such as the Barbastelle bats to use as a route
to their feeding grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This work was
carried out mostly under the lead of Geoff, one of our Monday volunteers who
has led the group on a lot of ride work across the estate and helped us swipe,
cut and bring our woodland rides back into rotation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having not visited the site since the winter
months I made an effort to go in there and see how it was looking…..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I stepped into the woodland
the first thing that hit me was the smell; not a bad smell, but a gorgeous
heavy scent that could only mean one thing – bluebells!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I walked further in I started to glimpse
between the greenery, a purple haze ahead and suddenly, I burst out of the
trees and onto the cross rides and into a whole new world of colour and light.
Bluebells grew thickly across all the newly cleared areas, creating a visual
display that instantly leapfrogged itself into first place for bluebell
displays on our estate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scene must
have looked like a huge blue cross from above and the warmth of the sun
enhanced the smell to a dizzying heady perfume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Butterflies and bee’s hummed and
fluttered around happily feasting on the floral buffet and overhead a buzzard
circled lazily on the thermals seemingly admiring the spectacle below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wandered gobsmacked into the middle of the
rides, completely blown away by the sheer intensity of colour, all the more so
because of the short space of time in which it had occurred; we cleared the
rides by the end of December and here we are, 5 months later and a hidden seed bank
has exploded into light and life – superb!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLlJBcYiOnt1Z9zHpkOltRnrsD4ubVRL_VHnK1nPSoVmDETtJ5bO9yWQsisdxAnoLq0u_iuT8f02tbEyu9_ISZaGVMnghJL8R99Cwt1wiE8i6m6WlrNL3cVqYYzbqv986FVSXuP3w-lob/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLlJBcYiOnt1Z9zHpkOltRnrsD4ubVRL_VHnK1nPSoVmDETtJ5bO9yWQsisdxAnoLq0u_iuT8f02tbEyu9_ISZaGVMnghJL8R99Cwt1wiE8i6m6WlrNL3cVqYYzbqv986FVSXuP3w-lob/s320/IMG_0179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluebells...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQ9ImjE5qsGNBvfm_G3F8Ns0aaBK6b8_5VSyygHRyTl4I2AtRWuMHsJw9ZjLUn18z1WGINid0pdXBWQStHh1uji_EyQLIUIn5nhohrCJtsHLU0GbyIY49rD-sSk8nMjUyf_-kE7PtznKQ/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQ9ImjE5qsGNBvfm_G3F8Ns0aaBK6b8_5VSyygHRyTl4I2AtRWuMHsJw9ZjLUn18z1WGINid0pdXBWQStHh1uji_EyQLIUIn5nhohrCJtsHLU0GbyIY49rD-sSk8nMjUyf_-kE7PtznKQ/s320/IMG_0180.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...everywhere...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-keAVXzHM1OoWL4WBHKR1iu1jFzW3ONh29JlSCZ6iHg5vUYLL8DwDa6e9hLt8C9IlqK3kR40TYKxHSF7A6h658WCgccSipdm8h2L3ZtvzCUHo-cjJPu45iixsrO4ZWtM5wTmS-rBCp6j/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-keAVXzHM1OoWL4WBHKR1iu1jFzW3ONh29JlSCZ6iHg5vUYLL8DwDa6e9hLt8C9IlqK3kR40TYKxHSF7A6h658WCgccSipdm8h2L3ZtvzCUHo-cjJPu45iixsrO4ZWtM5wTmS-rBCp6j/s320/IMG_0202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...you look!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wPHtDi0AwmwpaV3QAUi4RH35_6S-NCsh0P_PhFG3Bpz8v7AKn0qn0R_XgDpxFJCnZ5RPONHG__ts9t-3k-4opXiSGMp39NnWpxhugDsVo0GA41Kj4CHwYifFF5nxvmqSdvm2IinoU6Cy/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wPHtDi0AwmwpaV3QAUi4RH35_6S-NCsh0P_PhFG3Bpz8v7AKn0qn0R_XgDpxFJCnZ5RPONHG__ts9t-3k-4opXiSGMp39NnWpxhugDsVo0GA41Kj4CHwYifFF5nxvmqSdvm2IinoU6Cy/s320/IMG_0206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XQjiHmCxdORXBoMmAHUNomO6uDCKw6z9ktnEiexRd7YEWUQDX5vUwbXDgdC3u8OlWwfMm5-Gs24xs1bhEoYYdUs24Rg1qFEZv5n52uAnIh57dDeme5I_5Pr-NDhOpnfT1LRxljJVgPgr/s1600/IMG_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XQjiHmCxdORXBoMmAHUNomO6uDCKw6z9ktnEiexRd7YEWUQDX5vUwbXDgdC3u8OlWwfMm5-Gs24xs1bhEoYYdUs24Rg1qFEZv5n52uAnIh57dDeme5I_5Pr-NDhOpnfT1LRxljJVgPgr/s320/IMG_0207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I drifted through a movement
in the corner of my eye made me pause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
peered into the trees and spotted the herd of Fallow deer that tend to frequent
these woods, their tails and ears constantly twitching and flicking against the
flies, which is what had drawn my attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What made me double take was that for a brief instant, one of them
stepped into an open bluebell glade looking partly like something out of a
fairy tale but mostly like a very lost sheep – for it was a pure white doe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gazed at each other for a minute before
her instincts over took her and she melted back into the safety of the herd,
who all began to bound away further into the wood and away from human eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7aPW2ecG8iVwWDrPM3vABNKSLMZpiCf9KY6WLXMVgTHKxQZ2OkyLmlQVaCjgKAO5gv7e_VEKPtdv-scHqiAQzswSCdbSifGNAPalCTttD1R6hZC25zbpLvns1BoV4DPesrxkCjHIRlsL/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7aPW2ecG8iVwWDrPM3vABNKSLMZpiCf9KY6WLXMVgTHKxQZ2OkyLmlQVaCjgKAO5gv7e_VEKPtdv-scHqiAQzswSCdbSifGNAPalCTttD1R6hZC25zbpLvns1BoV4DPesrxkCjHIRlsL/s400/IMG_0181.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot her?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was like a completely separate
world in there, like something out of a Brother’s Grimm tale, where pure white
deer skipped among the trees and the ground was a magic carpet of orchids and
bluebells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only sound was of
birdsong and bee buzzing and for a moment it was like the outside world didn’t exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I’d had my fill of this wondrous place I
stepped back out into the sunshine of the cricket pitch and returned to my
truck chuffed with the results of our winter work and content in the knowledge
that if I ever needed a place to revive my spirits, the bluebells of Herless
were waiting, hidden within.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And bluebells are not the only
floral display to be taking off as we enter the late spring/early summer
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stockbridge Down is beginning to
spout out an array of wildflowers, whose colour all tantalizingly hint at the
spectacle to come, just around the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Milkwort, Horseshoe Vetch, Rock Rose, Wild Strawberry, Herb Robert, Red
Campion, Speedwells, Forget Me Not – all have erupted with the warm weather and
are littering the slopes and the herb rich glades in amongst the scrub
patches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this is only the beginning –
in another few weeks the yellow/orange tinted flower of the Birds Foot Trefoil
will be in full force, and indeed I saw the very first one just newly opened
yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wild Thyme will pop up,
Eyebright, Marjoram, Harebells, Ah! A whole host of colour is yet to reveal
itself but we are nearly there! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a
little while longer….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakuGbLiNWRqAXuKA2q8dCEyGwrdvj3c5tJlmU4qtkTUNsULEHl8dh4H4dihM-HFLFcykbtp7nxH6yGszescsqcuLuH4yr5BMqMJJbsdRx2xbsV9D-t3N2pQibuUtDRWCn0ZR_6oEHk6i7/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakuGbLiNWRqAXuKA2q8dCEyGwrdvj3c5tJlmU4qtkTUNsULEHl8dh4H4dihM-HFLFcykbtp7nxH6yGszescsqcuLuH4yr5BMqMJJbsdRx2xbsV9D-t3N2pQibuUtDRWCn0ZR_6oEHk6i7/s320/IMG_0267.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milkwort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxd7cts7BthtcWyoLQrb_Xwkond8rtWQ4JLUwsAsMTQsJ5QNv6Lo_eSUKgiQEQ05wuVmrqaj8Tr0GlVmBwLEKjaG_cWqqVdI3sDAmExipt0gPiAChLn1u4h3cVExIVa8o9q_VtwZsua9S_/s1600/IMG_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxd7cts7BthtcWyoLQrb_Xwkond8rtWQ4JLUwsAsMTQsJ5QNv6Lo_eSUKgiQEQ05wuVmrqaj8Tr0GlVmBwLEKjaG_cWqqVdI3sDAmExipt0gPiAChLn1u4h3cVExIVa8o9q_VtwZsua9S_/s320/IMG_0271.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horseshoe Vetch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naturally I cannot talk about the
wild flowers of the Down, or indeed the Down itself without updating you on the
butterfly activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This last week has
really spoilt me for butterflies up there as each passing week sees a new
species emerge, fresh and new into the world for me to observe and delight
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week I have seen more Orange
Tips, Pearl Bordered Fritillaries, Duke of Burgundy and Grizzled Skipper, Holly
Blues, as reported in my last blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New
to the show this week has been the Dingy Skippers, which I have never seen in
such high numbers up there, Green Veined Whites, Small Heaths, Small Coppers
showing off their beautiful orange hue which suits their feisty temperament
perfectly and Green Hairstreak – seen a lot on the Down by other people, but
not usually by me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However I spotted
four on two visits this week so I think they have paid their long overdue
visual debt to me – they really are the most incredible colour butterfly, a
shimmering emerald green underwing that can often be spotted resting on gorse
bushes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one however fluttered past
my knees and rested in the grass, allowing me to take this photo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SfaJo2lj6s-3ACCgZCbrr1jUM07T1xBZJxttrfxbObXq8II_TlM6CC0rs1Nek2qz-L9WgonM7fGfY602ReBRBqfNeCPamz-SmHJXTJPUZWP2Lm6c1YiruqtiZuYT7_Ygc-nJu5a2LnX5/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SfaJo2lj6s-3ACCgZCbrr1jUM07T1xBZJxttrfxbObXq8II_TlM6CC0rs1Nek2qz-L9WgonM7fGfY602ReBRBqfNeCPamz-SmHJXTJPUZWP2Lm6c1YiruqtiZuYT7_Ygc-nJu5a2LnX5/s400/IMG_0243.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glittering jewel in the grass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just take a moment to wander
through the shorter turf glades on the Down, where flowers dominate over
grasses and you will undoubtedly spot the tiny Grizzled Skipper, its larger
cousin the Dingy Skipper, Small Coppers and many more all fluttering from hummock
to hummock like perfect tiny clockwork toys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also, in my last post I wrote
about the success of our clearance work for the Duke of Burgundy on the
site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pleased to report further
triumph as I was on the Down yesterday, at the completely opposite end of the
site to the Duke of Burgundy area and what did I spot?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Duke of Burgundy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means they are either spreading across
the site or we have a second colony – either way, a fantastic result!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTMZlx_Newbot4VNtVMu-37I3I90DOKGyaJPbOGZSeU5-Wdr3vepOQgmfy0japASVydtnxyG4vgCUmn3cLrVGF9cDGQCfCjuR3ViHpa1BoM7ftfhryw9e1r2mAMi88qubo8zEt8zkdcNL/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTMZlx_Newbot4VNtVMu-37I3I90DOKGyaJPbOGZSeU5-Wdr3vepOQgmfy0japASVydtnxyG4vgCUmn3cLrVGF9cDGQCfCjuR3ViHpa1BoM7ftfhryw9e1r2mAMi88qubo8zEt8zkdcNL/s320/IMG_0233.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke of Burgundy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another fantastic result has to
be that of our sheep grazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Wiltshire Horn flock, which I currently have grazing on the furthest slope of
the Down are all getting fat bellies and dirty back ends as they gorge on the
spring flush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are also going
through their seasonal wool shedding and as a consequence of the itchiness of
the shedding wool, they are a bit more irritable with each other of
late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I go to see them, there is
wool on every branch and the corral fence is lined with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are all rubbing their heads, flanks, and
bums on tree trunks to remove the hot winter clothing and their patience with
each other is so thin that when they come to the corral for sheep nuts there is
a lot of head butting going on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQx3Q5HjcXHsOGM8w0QSQHYvvjIZn5GYqFXfw4D4etJLOW3mZBEd6HJES0OaTKH6uR13OrhqB39uEwh2MHvXpZqXDz3YRz-acujwFxi1eldVcvaeAbAI-7NWytZ7LTBG-6yH3CS0x3hx0/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQx3Q5HjcXHsOGM8w0QSQHYvvjIZn5GYqFXfw4D4etJLOW3mZBEd6HJES0OaTKH6uR13OrhqB39uEwh2MHvXpZqXDz3YRz-acujwFxi1eldVcvaeAbAI-7NWytZ7LTBG-6yH3CS0x3hx0/s320/IMG_0218.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wool lined corral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8854PpH48CyhaRI7GAomZHW7jfPd_D7WjziWrmGkmdLodkWAFEBXlEZIahTT2rRnJX6Zq0nyhwDedU6GvDB0lRLF01f9Jx7rT4-2H5cmtG-sLcwc-Pb05yBHuQ3eKIYmzTcXe16HcsQRJ/s1600/IMG_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8854PpH48CyhaRI7GAomZHW7jfPd_D7WjziWrmGkmdLodkWAFEBXlEZIahTT2rRnJX6Zq0nyhwDedU6GvDB0lRLF01f9Jx7rT4-2H5cmtG-sLcwc-Pb05yBHuQ3eKIYmzTcXe16HcsQRJ/s320/IMG_0217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walter the Wether itching his back end on the Elder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Watching
the pecking order establish is amusing; two sheep will suddenly give each other
the evil eye, walk through the flock towards each other whilst rippling their
shoulder blades in a sort of ‘come on then, come on then!’ motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they stand and have a stare off and, if
neither backs down they suddenly leap and head-butt each other full in the face
– a sight which always makes me wince and my nose twinge as I remember one of
them head-butting me in the face last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes one head-butt is enough and one backs down meekly, sometimes
they carry on for a few more, shaking their heads after each collision to try
and get the dazed stars out their eyes no doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end, they all get sheep nuts so I’m
not really sure what the point of it is…but I’m not going to intervene.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kW3p-bAfSNPRMQijeNexvU_raBK7fXoVNb7c8JBsGnkR8yxNPEFeTWuefd6uPtTn9WFt8IONORRiYYNTS9TD-e7DLhOMkhxtYJU7g__ALtjyIPaf6X2Su5a_6a2QrVit-YUHV_K40nU1/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kW3p-bAfSNPRMQijeNexvU_raBK7fXoVNb7c8JBsGnkR8yxNPEFeTWuefd6uPtTn9WFt8IONORRiYYNTS9TD-e7DLhOMkhxtYJU7g__ALtjyIPaf6X2Su5a_6a2QrVit-YUHV_K40nU1/s320/IMG_0220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyeing each other up for a challenge...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meanwhile, the section of slope
they grazed last year, which had been under grazed for a few years before hand,
is now looking stunning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grass
growth is lush and green and the flower species seem to have catapulted – I walked
there a few weeks ago and already Violets, Speedwells, Cowslips, Forget Me Nots
and many more were popping up, now that they were not being dominated by
grasses and their seedbank could germinate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It shows how vital grazing is for a chalk grassland site and the sheep
will do the same job on their current slope this summer, bringing both sections
back into a grazing rotation that will benefit the site hugely.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00I6KjiUHxH35scGoEBrQFysdfqhn6Yvi4eZ1BlWtRUP24GgCSK-XqYDADRHad1Ol-hOSMgaYuR-rhuqvX3Rw2FBiLEXWYgfuTKJ3UyLephCGAkPE4iC7Aa7geCMvy3f9wypVXw6evc_L/s1600/IMG_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00I6KjiUHxH35scGoEBrQFysdfqhn6Yvi4eZ1BlWtRUP24GgCSK-XqYDADRHad1Ol-hOSMgaYuR-rhuqvX3Rw2FBiLEXWYgfuTKJ3UyLephCGAkPE4iC7Aa7geCMvy3f9wypVXw6evc_L/s320/IMG_0226.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zzzz....dozing in the sun after a tough morning shedding wool and eating.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I stood on the top of the sheep
slope the other day and looked down and across to the neighbouring arable land
where the silage had been freshly cut and lay in neat rows ready for
baling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the fading Rapeseed fields
that dominate the arable landscape, this view of the silage harvest acted like
a constant reminder of time passing, the seasons moving on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not only the natural world that
demonstrates the seasons, in every tree leaf bud, every new wild flower or
butterfly species that emerges, but the manmade landscape too, as the fields turn
from brown to green with crop and the tractors come out of hibernation to march
up and down the fields with sprayers on their backs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even now, with the sight of the silage cut, I
know that time will fly round all too quickly to the hay cutting season and
beyond.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsh2tMaI05fVDtJSZUxlnlJkbUWPWeIJmoEHroBghTC0cxcMAYLo0Oi_fSqoUHzX5_I5DG2FyP0cTLmYroRhzYM48gGhYf_o756blEazciC1YCypSpB5x7ZgKFdaPUTpqy0hdNd2_Xj3K/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsh2tMaI05fVDtJSZUxlnlJkbUWPWeIJmoEHroBghTC0cxcMAYLo0Oi_fSqoUHzX5_I5DG2FyP0cTLmYroRhzYM48gGhYf_o756blEazciC1YCypSpB5x7ZgKFdaPUTpqy0hdNd2_Xj3K/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another area that is worth a
visit now is the Mottisfont orchard on Hatt Lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lovingly pruned, mowed and tended by our
volunteer Keith (and lovingly scrumped for apples for cider by myself) the
orchard is looking idyllic right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The trees are full of blossom and wildflowers including an impressive
cowslip display litter the ground beneath them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you are walking past on our estate trail then it is a perfect place
to go and have lunch in or to take a doze in the sun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-7d-BgrXse3UrZWp4JcO7EunosC_8ayo3NOH6Cxtwd8HICSKdxJTbjdXVxa6TOJrnAbVMRR_FaBGbbgkUHEyazjKbag-qNNzw_Zyuh2mGDgOFh7gddD_U1A_hXpl2q1aod-q9kmOj1YB/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-7d-BgrXse3UrZWp4JcO7EunosC_8ayo3NOH6Cxtwd8HICSKdxJTbjdXVxa6TOJrnAbVMRR_FaBGbbgkUHEyazjKbag-qNNzw_Zyuh2mGDgOFh7gddD_U1A_hXpl2q1aod-q9kmOj1YB/s320/IMG_0208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXOaYfzLHV-XiawLZ_idt0baM8iXFYRKJV5PwkCJlC2LZPLyefz58J6UWewuGDae0z11SfrocyxR9gw6RIrdgzzEbLOvdxPxGaG3wpPmSBJkrNfZnZ2KwI2Q6twPjYyO9A1e_NZmXonpx/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXOaYfzLHV-XiawLZ_idt0baM8iXFYRKJV5PwkCJlC2LZPLyefz58J6UWewuGDae0z11SfrocyxR9gw6RIrdgzzEbLOvdxPxGaG3wpPmSBJkrNfZnZ2KwI2Q6twPjYyO9A1e_NZmXonpx/s320/IMG_0211.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Cowslips in the orchard</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, as always with the
warmer months, I am constantly on the lookout for reptiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More often than not, my reptile encounters
are the sound of a sudden scuffle of a lizard darting into the undergrowth, or
the slithery rustle of a snake I haven’t even seen sliding away out of
sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However every now and then I get
lucky and this week was no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
took an early morning stroll through the Duck Grounds, before the property
opened and enjoyed the buzz and hum of wetland life as everything went about
its morning business before the sun got too hot and the visitors came in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew of a stretch of boardwalk where I had
spotted the tail end of a grass snake last week (tail end as it was typically
quick and was off before I really saw it) and so I crept along this stretch
softly and quietly, hoping to spot one basking in the early sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing revealed itself in that stretch but
then, as I walked further on I came to an abrupt halt; there, in the middle of
a clearing on a nice mossy log pile for all to see, was a beauty of a grass
snake, basking flat out in full view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
held my breath as I tentatively got my camera and took photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1i6IDzHmWAa4I7-WF_zWkvJoGkcr58OoDbiebGo5ba0hQTafWPZG6GvhWolT8akenH3D3YObnhrqV36eEJQwjTkAGFBZco54z6xTbqwXjUmGnVtnwI7BW9HIthkk1X6cd9_KsJtPN_wg/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1i6IDzHmWAa4I7-WF_zWkvJoGkcr58OoDbiebGo5ba0hQTafWPZG6GvhWolT8akenH3D3YObnhrqV36eEJQwjTkAGFBZco54z6xTbqwXjUmGnVtnwI7BW9HIthkk1X6cd9_KsJtPN_wg/s320/IMG_0255.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See her flattened body for basking?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Right from the start she (I don’t know for
sure but it was big enough to suggest female…but you can’t really tell unless
you count the scales from its vent to its tail, as the males typically have
longer tails) had her tongue out, scenting the air for the sudden new scent
that announced my arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scent was
obviously bad as within 20 seconds she slithered back into the log pile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I passed back that way ten minutes later,
keeping low so as not to be a blot on the skyline that might alert her to my
presence, and I spotted her head just poking out of the log pile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However even crouched low and standing
downwind, her incredibly acute senses meant that once again, unhappy at my
presence, she withdrew back into the shadows, where I couldn’t follow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3KCDprtpj25BkGIyaCNjhyphenhyphenwiC4O3oEB5M0ug8h3tyMdZC-MVLTqEHKvqyKKg2hTifqePN6obE4118N60Ij-6M0JkB0fbPdyBElT5cdy9-_VZr8NtfWEaSRRn_Gs528BDWDzEUF3nADOf/s1600/IMG_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3KCDprtpj25BkGIyaCNjhyphenhyphenwiC4O3oEB5M0ug8h3tyMdZC-MVLTqEHKvqyKKg2hTifqePN6obE4118N60Ij-6M0JkB0fbPdyBElT5cdy9-_VZr8NtfWEaSRRn_Gs528BDWDzEUF3nADOf/s320/IMG_0257.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thats it, I'm off!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thrilled that I had finally
tracked down a grass snake in this area, I left her in peace and ambled on, with
the morning soundtrack of birdlife trilling all around me, as the first butterflies
of the day started fluttering out to play.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-90812279428939818402015-04-29T11:59:00.000+01:002015-05-15T21:33:36.983+01:00Green light means GO!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Green! Shades of green, lime green, emerald green, moss
green are everywhere, dappled in the sunlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is the time of year when you look around and suddenly see the
change from dormancy into life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In an
almost blink-and-you-miss-it timeframe, the brown, grey dead looking winter
landscape has exploded with colour as all the hedgerows, tree’s and fields pop
their swollen buds and burst into leaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Field upon field of Rapeseed stretch away to the horizon, like a golden
yellow cloak and wild flowers such as Wood Anemone, Celandine and of course
Bluebell are decorating our woodland floors with a beautiful display of colour
and scent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always think Wood Anemones’
look like hundreds of tiny stars scattered across the ground flora, whilst Celandines
resemble bright, glowing suns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then
of course, we have the Bluebell, another fantastic indicator of ancient
woodland (ancient woodland being defined as woodland that has existed on a site
since AD1600 or before) and one of our most recognised wild flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both our Mottisfont estate and our stretch of
woodland at Curbridge Nature Reserve, on the River Hamble, produce stunning
Bluebell displays, and this year has been no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wild flowers that are considered ancient
woodland indicators are considered so for several reasons, including the fact
that they are slow colonisers and therefore if they are present, then their
seedbank must have been present for a long time, and also that they are
generally only found in woodland.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhgIdD56CpWGfmF3TZUFSmqj6-o4RBYqZ7sfqnplMGDRz3qmwko3ksXI78sBeMy1L2Tr1HQ3pGRClmMK4Lk5ahYbvrKEEzEABOxrwfPY-cjuxnxRggs5ZU4wiAcIBqlU3PPo-cbDhQKj-/s1600/WP_20150416_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhgIdD56CpWGfmF3TZUFSmqj6-o4RBYqZ7sfqnplMGDRz3qmwko3ksXI78sBeMy1L2Tr1HQ3pGRClmMK4Lk5ahYbvrKEEzEABOxrwfPY-cjuxnxRggs5ZU4wiAcIBqlU3PPo-cbDhQKj-/s1600/WP_20150416_003.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Starry Wood Anemones</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeBWI1Ai8y3Pok0TiQohFQv37S9VIFVNhCu8rEOUn2SxQBKfC2jsYIWBQaik8-xGw6hQTJGdmptVS6DPsyPhegCtWPY2qyjB6tbqVmhIenvx1zuBoWzQg85_Gc74j-R8eIvadUpp07VH7/s1600/WP_20150416_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeBWI1Ai8y3Pok0TiQohFQv37S9VIFVNhCu8rEOUn2SxQBKfC2jsYIWBQaik8-xGw6hQTJGdmptVS6DPsyPhegCtWPY2qyjB6tbqVmhIenvx1zuBoWzQg85_Gc74j-R8eIvadUpp07VH7/s1600/WP_20150416_005.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And glowing sun-like Celandines</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I stood on top of Stockbridge hill fort a few weeks ago,
looking down across the site I also noticed that it was a perfect time to
distinguish two of our main thorn species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whilst I can ID Hawthorn and Blackthorn both from a winter twig and in
leaf, some people may not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That day, in
early April, the site was a patchwork of white blossom covered bushes and lime
green ones; the Blackthorn, which flowers before the leaves bud, was displaying
its blossom, whilst the Hawthorn, which produces leaves before flowers, was
bursting with green buds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made for a
very pretty sight – so if you are ever unsure if a bush is Blackthorn or
Hawthorn, wait until early April and see if it produces flowers or leaves
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Failing that, you could also
prick yourself on a thorn from the bush and if it goes septic, it is likely
Blackthorn, as it has a tendency to infect wounds via a fungus found under its
bark that causes the body to react to it – but I would not recommend this as a
way of getting an ID….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbjY4s3w6Zz3XrKDAWJIGsR7Ws1vIDTFJQfcRJfBDuRBVye6PiEWhDFfARgUXUhTO5uQUMrLXrL6m3VTw0bnnULWqlEZGEtzAXWON1hqJe1Nw05c2Q4kwFaCvu0fjlQokqRh_hcx74PGj/s1600/WP_20150415_013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbjY4s3w6Zz3XrKDAWJIGsR7Ws1vIDTFJQfcRJfBDuRBVye6PiEWhDFfARgUXUhTO5uQUMrLXrL6m3VTw0bnnULWqlEZGEtzAXWON1hqJe1Nw05c2Q4kwFaCvu0fjlQokqRh_hcx74PGj/s1600/WP_20150415_013.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the two different bushes? White blossomed Blackthorn and Green leaved Hawthorn...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Talking of Stockbridge, of course I have to update you on
the butterflies that are popping out, with every passing week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last couple of weeks of warm sunny
weather have produced this year’s fresh crop of early emerging species; I have
seen Grizzled Skippers fighting with each other on my butterfly transect, Small
and Large Whites fluttering by trying to confuse themselves with female Orange
tips and even the first Holly Blues are adding a welcome splash of azure to the
show.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBDT0k5JGEoeNSSxQo6fBaEffPEi3k77nGFFyfvhkWhtgpTog9Ud4JO4a9-pnv_ulR0kXZauxhg-U340HPrgwzbjql57t7u1CRDj7gNWyhfU5t285c1p_iTDwpSaT8MdNVGUVCumb_I1a/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBDT0k5JGEoeNSSxQo6fBaEffPEi3k77nGFFyfvhkWhtgpTog9Ud4JO4a9-pnv_ulR0kXZauxhg-U340HPrgwzbjql57t7u1CRDj7gNWyhfU5t285c1p_iTDwpSaT8MdNVGUVCumb_I1a/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Grizzled Skipper</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> But, best of all, best of ALL, is the evidence emerging that
our clearance work we undertook by the Down, in conjunction with the Butterfly
Conservation Trust, has come up a triumph:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Duke of Burgundies and Pearl Bordered Fritillaries have been dancing and
mating on the site already, spotted by myself and several other keen butterfly
enthusiasts – how my heart warmed to see a shiny, perfect, Pearl Bordered
Fritillary, basking in the sun in our cleared area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was delighted with such success so early on
in the season and can only again thank our volunteers who helped with the work,
and the BCT who helped fund further works.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_hfxIaqLIRtEZ2zXifV3HhGHEz2IdB385IYRmzWGOuGwPYiFAqhWUUMsj3erNfq3cAH2UEnlrID07VNk8JmKf7K7yyF9dwLOhEkP6mOo8UBHURlPlrlDGjxpXoNcPHS-q5FjBKddjWeT/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_hfxIaqLIRtEZ2zXifV3HhGHEz2IdB385IYRmzWGOuGwPYiFAqhWUUMsj3erNfq3cAH2UEnlrID07VNk8JmKf7K7yyF9dwLOhEkP6mOo8UBHURlPlrlDGjxpXoNcPHS-q5FjBKddjWeT/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beauty of a Pearl Bordered, taking in a bit of shade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Handsome Duke of Burgundy.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From Stockbridge, let us fly back to Hamble, where I have
carried out a couple of guided walks for staff and volunteers over the last
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were a great success with everyone
very enthusiastic and complimentary about the site – most people had not been
to Hamble before as it is our furthest out site, a good 45 minutes from
Mottisfont, and therefore often overlooked by people who do not realise it
exists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if you do make an
effort to find it, you are rewarded by the rich stretch of ancient woodland
with its displays of wild flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Bluebells here are fabulous, and along with the other ground flora, Fairy
Clocks and the Fairy Tree, the whole woodland has a mystical air about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solomon ’s seal, Dogs Mercury, Wild Garlic
and Jack by the Hedge, all were out in force showing themselves off to the
visitors – I took some of the Wild Garlic leaves home to make oil and pesto out
of, and to add to meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The downside
was that it has stunk my truck out so completely, that I can still smell garlic
in there today and, no doubt, for ever more…</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNV3NefGpNH2AYbCuKw8PLP0Tnziby0SdebZZ60v1_sIZ_asNFToEmH5WhEocwzq5zOv7GpbAD-_W5-6AmVmtMzsWjAg14ys20gl-jHSZpQsYeMd4yRQvtb4lHKu8spOGh63DA8lgXtcK/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNV3NefGpNH2AYbCuKw8PLP0Tnziby0SdebZZ60v1_sIZ_asNFToEmH5WhEocwzq5zOv7GpbAD-_W5-6AmVmtMzsWjAg14ys20gl-jHSZpQsYeMd4yRQvtb4lHKu8spOGh63DA8lgXtcK/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I took the group out onto Hard Field, the field at the
end of the woodland which I have started having cut for hay late each year
in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>order to encourage a wild flower
meadow, they were dazzled by a huge cloud of pinkish white flowers in the
middle of the meadow; Ladies Smock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also
known as the fairy flower (another hint at Hamble’s fairy woodland) and the
Cuckoo flower, as it flowers around the time you first hear the Cuckoo’s call,
it is also one of the egg laying plants of the Orange tip butterfly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had everyone peering under the flowers to
try and spot an orange tip egg but all we found were St Marks Flies, which were
droning around hanging their long black legs down, in honour of the following
day which was their name day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The presence
of such a large area of Ladies Smock made me feel that our late hay cut had
done a good job in removing dominant vegetation and allowing a wider diversity
of species to come through – I shall be interested to see what the rest of the
summer brings in terms of flora, to this meadow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6lsfo2Q7kUfZtQxKQz5kVkH20y0yJkibKWEwNSbJ4CiTkjEncJbULemZ9lHbIsx6ygA5LqWOBIJ_vMlcA3r5nWVeIHRi-ofYTp8S28OU_DlgnQw5xVCMjwP7_YWcbQ_PH0A7zg1z8HZ8/s1600/WP_20150424_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6lsfo2Q7kUfZtQxKQz5kVkH20y0yJkibKWEwNSbJ4CiTkjEncJbULemZ9lHbIsx6ygA5LqWOBIJ_vMlcA3r5nWVeIHRi-ofYTp8S28OU_DlgnQw5xVCMjwP7_YWcbQ_PH0A7zg1z8HZ8/s1600/WP_20150424_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peering under a Ladies Smock....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdUiA92KpTOmM1AuHA8C2iveGH-U0oiZ8N7F5Fgk2B2ljMX7OdeHI38S9MFiq3kbZsQvYfNOJS-Qdmks4aLej-iSF6vmGMaMsKZgZa0Xt1khDz3LNRSd11FnIcwc-EHvLT8q4tAz4MoY3/s1600/WP_20150420_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdUiA92KpTOmM1AuHA8C2iveGH-U0oiZ8N7F5Fgk2B2ljMX7OdeHI38S9MFiq3kbZsQvYfNOJS-Qdmks4aLej-iSF6vmGMaMsKZgZa0Xt1khDz3LNRSd11FnIcwc-EHvLT8q4tAz4MoY3/s1600/WP_20150420_009.jpg" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To find an Orange Tip egg - see it?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Walking back through the woodland, getting
tantalising glimpses of the estuary, we also found a group of Wild Service
trees that I knew to exist on site, but hadn’t yet located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once a common tree found often along track
ways and old roads (hence its nickname of wayfaring tree), it is now fairly
rare and found predominantly in ancient woodland and hedges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This and the added combination of huge Ash
and Field Maple stools that stand on the boundary banks like guardians of this
ancient place all, once again, point to a woodland that has been present here
for hundreds of years, a silent sentry,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>watching the endless rising and falling of the estuary tide.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-72580070884410248662015-04-12T19:35:00.001+01:002015-04-12T19:53:17.888+01:00A week of Firsts'....and lots of photo's!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With the warm sunshine of the
last few days, this last week has been a week of glorious firsts for the
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other morning I was wandering
around Foxbury, our heathland restoration site, when suddenly a distant call
came to me, carried on the dew fresh breeze: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘cuckoo…cuckoo…cuckoo…’</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cuckoo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a far off echo of childhood, the cry of
the cuckoo always takes me back through the years and almost brings a tear to
my eye as the arrival of these birds is a true indicator that we are hurtling
headlong through Spring and towards the lively months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surrounded by coconut smelling bright yellow
Gorse flowers, I stood on the top of Foxbury Hill and looked down at the
landscape which was finally starting to revive after Winter and listened to the
backing track of bird song and cuckoo call and decided that this was not a bad
way to start the day at all.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdr7IA1V5hUjtv6Yls9zRw_PGnHdK1aTxUgKLK9iNuMS0NW_8o5jwh_S9WESLLa4SIYBlewbrykF6XuCm4FEWs4Wtj8z5L_9URwlwLVbUbI-xb4wEoyBZKIp-QjKg60VgT2dv-GJ9Eoau/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdr7IA1V5hUjtv6Yls9zRw_PGnHdK1aTxUgKLK9iNuMS0NW_8o5jwh_S9WESLLa4SIYBlewbrykF6XuCm4FEWs4Wtj8z5L_9URwlwLVbUbI-xb4wEoyBZKIp-QjKg60VgT2dv-GJ9Eoau/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Foxbury Common Lizard</span></span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I spotted enjoying the morning sun.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">April Fool’s Day also saw the
beginning of butterfly season, that long awaited annual scientific survey of
these colourful invertebrates which runs from April until September every
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Across our countryside department
at Mottisfont we have several transects; One on Stockbridge Down, three across
different woodlands on the estate and a new one that I have just set up in the
parks, wetlands and gardens of Mottisfont.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This latter one is new this year and whilst I created the route I have
enlisted the help of the Outdoor Guides who roam the pay zone, to carry out the
weekly surveys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This hardy band of
volunteers all came and had a training session with me about transect walking
and butterfly ID and armed with this they have gone forth willingly to see what
results flutter by on their weekly walks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it was whilst doing our Cadbury Wood transect this last week that I spotted
my first Orange Tip of the year – a handsome male, his orange coloured wing
tips glowing like embers in the sun as he emerged, brand shiny new, into the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orange Tips are the first species
to emerge in Spring that do not overwinter as adults – so they come out later
than the Brimstones and Peacocks who are already adult formed over the winter
months – but when they do finally finish their transformation and emerge, you
know that winter is gone for good.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Warm weather also marks the start
of another invertebrate related task: Fly strike prevention of our sheep
flock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you will have read from last
year’s blog posts, fly strike can be a messy and potentially fatal
business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flies that are attracted to
the soiled fleece or wounds on a sheep will lay their eggs in the fleece, which
will then hatch into maggots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
maggots then eat through the soiled fleece or flesh wound and just keep eating
and eating and eating, burrowing into the healthy flesh and causing horrific
wounds and death by toxic shock within days if not caught.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To help reduce this happening, we
treat our sheep flock with a preventative spray called Clik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You spray the dosage along their backs and around
their back end and it infuses into the wool and spreads across the whole
animal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being Wiltshire Horn, our flock
are naturally less prone to fly strike anyway as they shed their fleeces
themselves (so they don’t have to sweat it out waiting to be sheared) and they
have a naturally very short wool which doesn’t tend to get too soiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, I don’t like to leave it to chance –
especially after the Nasal Botfly horror I suffered last year as a result of
cleaning a fly strike wound – so I enlisted the help of a couple of volunteers
and we went and rounded up the flock and began the treatment; the first of the
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all went swimmingly and I noticed
that the wool was already beginning to rise and come loose from their necks and
legs, ready for shedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbr9_3uA7m6zyI68Pkg6zVswYvA4rT1ukHEhkKBHPe1tQnzTMPhb5tIw9muSAMNZvqTdZwFOF0nY50pNfNDHR1XiIff2tMC0MC85PccmzZoHKoeX3sRhhzjrLobzmC5uEHoZzEwBx1IiyP/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbr9_3uA7m6zyI68Pkg6zVswYvA4rT1ukHEhkKBHPe1tQnzTMPhb5tIw9muSAMNZvqTdZwFOF0nY50pNfNDHR1XiIff2tMC0MC85PccmzZoHKoeX3sRhhzjrLobzmC5uEHoZzEwBx1IiyP/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the way the wool is rising off the neck like a fluffy ridge, as it begins to shed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also noticed
a few tick’s on some of the sheep which I plucked off – some of them were so
disgustingly bloated and full that they fell off into my hand without any
effort at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at this
hideously obese creature with distaste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whilst I appreciate invertebrates have a huge and pivotal role to play
in the world’s ecosystem – indeed they are the basis for food chains and
habitats and without them everything would perish – yet I cannot disguise my
hatred of ticks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way they crawl
their fat, blood swollen bodies along, having sucked their fill out of a
creature makes my skin creep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to
that their habit of spreading Lyme's disease to humans, a rather nasty illness
that can lead to all sorts of debilitating and you will be hard pressed to find
a countryside worker who doesn’t loathe the sight of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwbVYgW7BTb-YwEXrwMabFu2sNw2X5Y5jTJqECQiyPfN-cHWGjLL_jEwz5vJVms4IGBuPk5skaXOVYiis_gnQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6yfm2ZhyphenhyphenIKCLY0mb1U52LzjYXu5_XLXumvZbuoNVNaJdTZYUWg8LFb5_WUAuYqGk6Xe1kJNjlQXSVg01xgAX9gG4UcvYlCdP8qqTiBYFL0b0hgACg9Q02Oev_fy3V-1bDprdQJYgbVGJ/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Having worked the Easter weekend
at our Foxbury Easter trail – which was a huge success – I took a day off in
the week and chose to go for a New Forest ramble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be perceived as a bit of a busman’s
holiday but when your workplace is a stunning as the countryside of Mottisfont and
the New Forest; this is one bus that is a pleasure to ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wandered up through plantation woodland and
onto Ibsley, one of our Commons, which stretched out vast and empty before
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_Q372Y73KieVel3VstPs5SYU2ThXwDw0CI5iTql-nEddtwPbI2OPklMW1IJzOUu35x8gGB6hSy0wlAsODaqqkiaQwheDUGT4hMBDKc81oFBhogxvbYXb-uU24vW5YwKazWbJr6O1ym0W/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_Q372Y73KieVel3VstPs5SYU2ThXwDw0CI5iTql-nEddtwPbI2OPklMW1IJzOUu35x8gGB6hSy0wlAsODaqqkiaQwheDUGT4hMBDKc81oFBhogxvbYXb-uU24vW5YwKazWbJr6O1ym0W/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandering across empty plains...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_Y67MjD5Xt9Wrz7jl07JF1E-OAGcbgoOj2uPhBuxnoF6UHMwYB-2suI_HEdoCYsCdFyDFdzDTH3MRUqbEXAJR6tU7i9TVBZ9ImDXwE0t_WnDf-gqwb0JInGeELQsWuN0HcOSkpGlkI0g/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_Y67MjD5Xt9Wrz7jl07JF1E-OAGcbgoOj2uPhBuxnoF6UHMwYB-2suI_HEdoCYsCdFyDFdzDTH3MRUqbEXAJR6tU7i9TVBZ9ImDXwE0t_WnDf-gqwb0JInGeELQsWuN0HcOSkpGlkI0g/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and through hidden valleys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMNCSKvI7j1LrxkT1_AoAsxLdCMyCWEaMfWxJruEwwG4LnHy4PjQkZXdiBzG-C15sDhXySnt4o1Yz8wxE_XB4-ecZw7u-Ok2MOWxT3yPMeuZcXEKAUaC4Wn6Lp4hCOXkMf3C1qaakolwS/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMNCSKvI7j1LrxkT1_AoAsxLdCMyCWEaMfWxJruEwwG4LnHy4PjQkZXdiBzG-C15sDhXySnt4o1Yz8wxE_XB4-ecZw7u-Ok2MOWxT3yPMeuZcXEKAUaC4Wn6Lp4hCOXkMf3C1qaakolwS/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ambling along quietly, a mere speck
on the landscape, I was rewarded during the day by getting a good look at
Stonechats, Lapwings and the first Swallow I had seen return to us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also roamed onto Rockford and got a good 5
minute viewing of a Dartford Warbler, that sweet, spiky haired heathland
specialist of a bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Red deer herds wandered through the bogs and i could see the heads of Fallow deer popping up from where they lay in the heather.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0gLDXfgx5IX5TXs4YkcTuRzQAUvsvnDrF4Mr0d0RUGBv99rDF5SMu3nGkxr98pROWhLgXKMlONPu7e2tDRcfERRWzNYB1nJYGYMcPdvTUO4kzC7tPgKjzneD_kLXmmKDQhXwyQuHr8SG/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0gLDXfgx5IX5TXs4YkcTuRzQAUvsvnDrF4Mr0d0RUGBv99rDF5SMu3nGkxr98pROWhLgXKMlONPu7e2tDRcfERRWzNYB1nJYGYMcPdvTUO4kzC7tPgKjzneD_kLXmmKDQhXwyQuHr8SG/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG" height="246" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Stonechat</td></tr>
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</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hcNK_21K7STwyaHlqQfK21iv3Oa9eo5Lx056l6ScJG7yGsSYaNKncbs5MC3a80ERMB5F0hTiCsnWk6wawtyPvCg8IJnVDnd415QjicpWg49Jaf2CTTKGIq_6p1ivSxsTlmvTzovjMhCn/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hcNK_21K7STwyaHlqQfK21iv3Oa9eo5Lx056l6ScJG7yGsSYaNKncbs5MC3a80ERMB5F0hTiCsnWk6wawtyPvCg8IJnVDnd415QjicpWg49Jaf2CTTKGIq_6p1ivSxsTlmvTzovjMhCn/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG" height="219" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lapwing in the Bog - not a very good photo but the nearest i could get without risking death in the Mire!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Whilst I was
enjoying spotting all these mammal and avian aspects there was one thing in particular I was
hoping to spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I trod slowly and
quietly along the track on Ibsley, keeping my eyes peeled at the edge of the
heather I walked alongside, on which the sun shone directly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within 20 minutes, a synapse pinged in my
brain, a tiny signal that made me stop and re-look at the patch I had just
walked past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there, basking on the
moss in amongst the heather was my reward and what I had hoped to find; a
beautiful Adder, a large male in this case, his zigzag dorsal pattern a deep
shiny black and his lidless eyes a burnished dark red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PSIP4Zc8PULApKxaLX6Y54Impo6mQ3sEsKKkHGMmewvo-h3GHKCla3VgVVfQMcUOu3jN7oc-72anPYl_IJWFQ1nQL71slirJXPEWoGV8yiUznB3DV2c9WJ0kOXCH-XoZJWvCu-Kvzl28/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PSIP4Zc8PULApKxaLX6Y54Impo6mQ3sEsKKkHGMmewvo-h3GHKCla3VgVVfQMcUOu3jN7oc-72anPYl_IJWFQ1nQL71slirJXPEWoGV8yiUznB3DV2c9WJ0kOXCH-XoZJWvCu-Kvzl28/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" height="287" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a beaut!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My first Adder of the
season!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thrilled as they can be
difficult to find as they often slip away when they hear you coming and more
often are so well camouflaged and tucked away that you don’t see them at
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this reason I was immodestly
pleased with myself for spotting him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whilst my eyes had not visually recognised the pattern of the Adder,
something in my brain had: a tiny signal that made me look twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good to know that after a winter’s
dormancy, this signal still triggered itself when something in the undergrowth
sparked it; the glint of sunlight off shiny scales which marked itself a
different texture to the heather around it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It so happened that I passed that way again 2 days later and once more I
managed to spot him – and to my joy he had just finished his first post
hibernation slough and was now dressed in his fine silver breeding
colours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he slithered off through the
moss I saw his fresh slough, in near perfect condition as it was so freshly
shed, hanging in the heather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked
it out carefully and examined it – it was a good size, over 50cm long although
they can stretch a bit as the snake wriggles out of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I listened to this male slip away, almost
silent apart from the odd rustle of leaves under-belly, I wished him a good
breeding season, and hoped there was a healthy female somewhere nearby for him
to woo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHoizTHCLWQ2IfBo-HOUPh9koD_MB9Xeh8AGrWYfKOllR6v_JayC-t8NT9fnr03fzvWj0lDa97Tb4p0dSzU4PkvRXpn99BjeZraRPRtJBAQ90i4cr_zmqOcC8V6XOGDcsG3M0dN_Mu_y5/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHoizTHCLWQ2IfBo-HOUPh9koD_MB9Xeh8AGrWYfKOllR6v_JayC-t8NT9fnr03fzvWj0lDa97Tb4p0dSzU4PkvRXpn99BjeZraRPRtJBAQ90i4cr_zmqOcC8V6XOGDcsG3M0dN_Mu_y5/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His fresh slough - in such good condition even the eye lenses are intact.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meanwhile, back at Mottisfont
there is another creature that can be elusive and hard to spot; the Water
Vole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This small, plump, furry little
mammal thrives along our river banks at Mottisfont and we have them on all our
sections of river, along with Otter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Recently two Sparsholt College students - Phil (with us on work experience)
and Sue (of sheep looker fame) undertook a Water Vole presence survey along the
top of the Oakley beat and I was fortunate enough to join them and observe how
it works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phil donned a hilarious – I mean
professional – looking yellow and black dry suit that ballooned around him in
the water and made him resemble a large bee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In this suit he plunged into the river and began the detailed task of
looking through the bankside vegetation for signs of Water Vole presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLSaayTGpmpFads-zNJb84m-R4WsCPfAvTfLSusj4ucFqeDUn4VY_JawrsANkmWUdxH2YB2aL5txcjsZq-rvjab6fOy_sQ2WAJkwhWvz_a4uUKossGWI-yA_8V4ZlRQ9kHwXiiiTOMRFK/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLSaayTGpmpFads-zNJb84m-R4WsCPfAvTfLSusj4ucFqeDUn4VY_JawrsANkmWUdxH2YB2aL5txcjsZq-rvjab6fOy_sQ2WAJkwhWvz_a4uUKossGWI-yA_8V4ZlRQ9kHwXiiiTOMRFK/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumble Man!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AKrFpj1zWhaMk7SaObdua0COPhGBsJp5hfsGoMff2EdstBQdHMmsdGliV9tg1UngC8EiRsGpTk7P8uKrusfqeYzzXAkFiThaeZdSPZbzhnRPFayEv__7rix7tS4uEvf4D5ViYw_Qvdy_/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AKrFpj1zWhaMk7SaObdua0COPhGBsJp5hfsGoMff2EdstBQdHMmsdGliV9tg1UngC8EiRsGpTk7P8uKrusfqeYzzXAkFiThaeZdSPZbzhnRPFayEv__7rix7tS4uEvf4D5ViYw_Qvdy_/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Examining the bank side</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sue stood on the bank with me recording down
everything he found onto a map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a
regular basis Phil was shouting ‘latrine!’, ‘burrow!’ and ‘a run!’ as well as
finding feeding sites all of which were mapped, and all of which demonstrated a
very healthy population of Water Vole here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sWnOmS76qaa1Qq5Xou_DSVG8u9ChCS-61W6jcHhGA4niZAqAkqLXqzMgoIvFYhyphenhyphenkNHTAQO3UQpHON4wYuJitCKFCr4Ixug7P5FGspbIZqLfyMZC64sypXWMK8G_SF1559ISkHyBRQKXu/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sWnOmS76qaa1Qq5Xou_DSVG8u9ChCS-61W6jcHhGA4niZAqAkqLXqzMgoIvFYhyphenhyphenkNHTAQO3UQpHON4wYuJitCKFCr4Ixug7P5FGspbIZqLfyMZC64sypXWMK8G_SF1559ISkHyBRQKXu/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A burrow</td></tr>
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</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSP5wGXJZ4OF2zgcUkRLsAo0wghYzr3bvHKFuaXGl6D2fhTsFJL1JglXrjGctGC-8WUeDAoNXlHD_TFnRGkimio3d1xDJkWfUcsGCQMtEXWRY_L4z18o5svhm6kYaP7Sh3jsnP0xdhOPPe/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSP5wGXJZ4OF2zgcUkRLsAo0wghYzr3bvHKFuaXGl6D2fhTsFJL1JglXrjGctGC-8WUeDAoNXlHD_TFnRGkimio3d1xDJkWfUcsGCQMtEXWRY_L4z18o5svhm6kYaP7Sh3jsnP0xdhOPPe/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tell tale 45 degree angle of a chewed reed - Water Voles cut them off at this angle.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So if you are ever walking along
the banks of the river at Mottisfont, or at Stockbridge Marsh for that matter,
keep quiet and keep your eyes keen; you may be lucky enough to spot a fat
little furry figure swimming through the rushes, or hear the ‘plop!’ as one emerges
out a burrow and into the water and out of view.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLk8LFtH8GpERTYkY7yG2zE2GeY9LvWuKD6V__CTozkW8xs3jlkO93sqSMM5Bvyi_kPjgXhmFyTFCGc_sqStqzLhPjQ3D1-cPcEYpZIDxqu3_-WWVac3BbhPiVRWxqy_bQG0IjZQr0g6gI/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLk8LFtH8GpERTYkY7yG2zE2GeY9LvWuKD6V__CTozkW8xs3jlkO93sqSMM5Bvyi_kPjgXhmFyTFCGc_sqStqzLhPjQ3D1-cPcEYpZIDxqu3_-WWVac3BbhPiVRWxqy_bQG0IjZQr0g6gI/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four hours of river walking later!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I took ten minutes myself before
work the other day to wander along our stretch of the main River Test, just
beyond the Duck Grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it was
still early, the sky was azure blue with a faint wisp of Cirrus cloud way up
high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun shone bright as it began
its daily climb and it glittered and sparkled off the river water like precious
stones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crystal clear, its timeless currents eddying
and flowing, always flowing, onwards towards the end of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sitting on the bank and gazing into its clear
depths, I felt myself being mentally tugged by those currents and began to lose
myself in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The river Test is, and
always has been the heart of Mottisfont; the font which springs up within the
grounds gave the place its name and Saxon monks used the river to transport the
stone for which they built the Abbey, and the foundations of its history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet it goes back beyond that, beyond all
human endeavours, on geological timescales we can only just fathom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carving out its path through the rock and
peat of the valley, through ancient wooded lands all the way from source to sea,
from prehistory to the modern day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same sun that warmed my back as I sat
there now, once shone upon this river when it was brand new, when the water
first began to flow and both elements had continued on ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In comparison to such agelessness we were
such a small, tiny part of the whole, a brief flicker that is there one minute,
gone the next, whilst the river flows on and life endlessly endures, dies and
is reborn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuRYyiRqKwydD93f6i97MwfrhRhNXscbpQPIe_QbSXj1ff10EbteyCbFjqGJkQs9knXpRMwP_x3_dbXDio4GJ9srKgZyOSvaPQ6XRg7vQhiIiH-kNKdRdYB-tQaXODGxCUmYmgZ7aJtfR/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuRYyiRqKwydD93f6i97MwfrhRhNXscbpQPIe_QbSXj1ff10EbteyCbFjqGJkQs9knXpRMwP_x3_dbXDio4GJ9srKgZyOSvaPQ6XRg7vQhiIiH-kNKdRdYB-tQaXODGxCUmYmgZ7aJtfR/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" height="190" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunlit waters...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN636pkmay5d_ncWLW-ha3ArL2krTY7wC14bpmmW6nTlyiUWuYo-L-TAYwRALD13KTlrayXPrOp0eDGPfR_dTH8Bbj3M5ZTI3tf1IfTR0s9NhonlUPs6z7Qz8vzp1x-hZIIfPN67Trhd_c/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN636pkmay5d_ncWLW-ha3ArL2krTY7wC14bpmmW6nTlyiUWuYo-L-TAYwRALD13KTlrayXPrOp0eDGPfR_dTH8Bbj3M5ZTI3tf1IfTR0s9NhonlUPs6z7Qz8vzp1x-hZIIfPN67Trhd_c/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">glitter like a cascade of diamonds</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The sudden call of a Little Grebe
startled me out of my reverie and I blinked and pulled my thoughts out of the
river’s whisperings and out of Time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling
refreshed and thinking now of the day’s work ahead and of making my miniscule
mark on the history of this landscape, I stood up and meandered back into the
Abbey grounds and to the present day.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-81875331826790975062015-03-24T16:22:00.004+00:002015-03-25T09:38:32.337+00:00Birds, Barrows and the Birth of a Woodland<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nuthatches! The Nuthatches are
back!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, once again in the large
ornamental trees that line the driveway walk at Mottisfont, nuthatches can be
seen, hopping up and down the trunks and collecting muddy bits and pieces to
line their chosen nest hole with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
been keeping an eye on Jasper’s tree for a while now and so I was delighted
when, last week I saw the first Nuthatches of spring have returned to it to
build their nest inside a tiny hole, way up high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These could be the original parents of
Jasper, my Nuthatch chick of last year, or indeed, one of them could be Jasper
himself - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>having returned to his tree to
start his own brood…I shall keep watch with interest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All the birds are starting to make
their nests at the moment, Corvids are flying around with beaks full of twigs, Woodpeckers
are furiously drumming trees to advertise themselves to potential mates, the
Ravens have been spotted around Oakley Copse and Pied Wagtails are showing an
interest in our tractors – they are notorious for nesting in awkward places like
in the arm of the timber crane!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rookery in the tall Sycamore and Plane trees in the gardens is one vast, noisy
mass of nests, Rooks and Jackdaws all constantly cawing and calling all day
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Woe betide anyone who walks
beneath without a hood or umbrella – chances are you will get a big old splat
of bird poo to adorn your hair or clothing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6nRSruiOxBHc-wvrusAjJ3xfW2kR2NH30OYWVDdJGEGJWY_mxthjZv3PCTMtZCNztauQB_n_XYO3hyao_wyztgwGC0aMHY4sbAIZIOZBBhFiwow0Iuswu_Y7mKHTaZsdlRw8UZ8pKm-5/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6nRSruiOxBHc-wvrusAjJ3xfW2kR2NH30OYWVDdJGEGJWY_mxthjZv3PCTMtZCNztauQB_n_XYO3hyao_wyztgwGC0aMHY4sbAIZIOZBBhFiwow0Iuswu_Y7mKHTaZsdlRw8UZ8pKm-5/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rookery in the making</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">March seems to have consisted of
warmer days interspersed with chilly winds that have meant we have kept our
fleeces and hats on for the time being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This cool weather has however assisted with our tree planting, in that
we have been able to complete the tree planting on the estate by Queen Meadow
copse whilst the trees are all still in their cold winter dormancy state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Monday and Thursday volunteers have had
several days here and Ryan and myself have spent more time on the site
planting, planting, planting until finally, yesterday we dug the last hole, put
in the final tree and wheel barrowed the last load of mulch and boom! A new
woodland was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May it grow, thrive
and prosper, and grace our land for many decades to come, so that I can go and
sit under the leafy boughs as a wizened crone and remember planting them all
those years ago….<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoveNTfqiPgc427ywbd-plyO7Gf0uhTH2jByFGC-crj-5KcE_ft4ZU8ttx_Yokz8RKAurBXjFXmgKr1dYROmPBDOzkhqrpYRWGGYSZ0MvdYhwc1x1TTva0ZeoHyA3sEFMZqmLlJIoMbY2/s1600/2015-03-23+13+57+53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoveNTfqiPgc427ywbd-plyO7Gf0uhTH2jByFGC-crj-5KcE_ft4ZU8ttx_Yokz8RKAurBXjFXmgKr1dYROmPBDOzkhqrpYRWGGYSZ0MvdYhwc1x1TTva0ZeoHyA3sEFMZqmLlJIoMbY2/s1600/2015-03-23+13+57+53.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final wheel barrow of mulch...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCtCaVlSUnesV1IX_Jatten2w_n7yo4qgfbs7SRoG4Gv7qtiMQX-BZ7czIK99dWDnV6cT2m30I_7OKh703U2IQVhqoV4yFllAgXJ6ify2pbOXT8hnO5STA2PIabYxhTbmz_nmmhO69iVi/s1600/P1010242+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCtCaVlSUnesV1IX_Jatten2w_n7yo4qgfbs7SRoG4Gv7qtiMQX-BZ7czIK99dWDnV6cT2m30I_7OKh703U2IQVhqoV4yFllAgXJ6ify2pbOXT8hnO5STA2PIabYxhTbmz_nmmhO69iVi/s1600/P1010242+(1280x853).jpg" height="340" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And us lot taking a well earned rest...(Photo credit: A.Robinson)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Talking of wizened crones and old
things, we have been doing some work on Stockbridge Down to replace the hurdles
that surround our Bronze Age Barrows on the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The barrows are Scheduled Ancient Monuments
and are fenced off using wooden hurdles as it stops grazing livestock, people
and dogs from trampling over them and causing them damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also creates a feature of them visually
and indeed the sight of the barrow on the highest point of the Down, standing
out against the skyline makes a very recognisable image that stays in the mind.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4glE_ZE7enWZ_hUhDcmyWtLMyM1vPN971IMOLkrjjf-zn2ocRWdqoq-On-RlplY1KvP0MEA533ktFu0isnPJyfYRage9LLkIRehDD12eixBGK2UO0Qs58iZ7TwpHePGVpW0_KxOW7igA/s1600/147011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4glE_ZE7enWZ_hUhDcmyWtLMyM1vPN971IMOLkrjjf-zn2ocRWdqoq-On-RlplY1KvP0MEA533ktFu0isnPJyfYRage9LLkIRehDD12eixBGK2UO0Qs58iZ7TwpHePGVpW0_KxOW7igA/s1600/147011.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our Barrows (Photo credit: NT archive)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The original hurdles were put in
place many years ago and as a result of weather, itchy cattle bottoms and the
passage of time, many had become broken and worn so I had a brand new load made
by a green wood worker in West Sussex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He used his own Sweet Chestnut timber and enormous skill and handcrafted
me 56 new hurdles which are absolutely stunning to behold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Court Leet of Stockbridge kindly funded
the project and last week myself and the volunteers were finally able to rip
out the remains of the old, broken hurdles (which were looking old enough to be
classed as archaeology themselves) and installed the brand new ones and boy, do
they look fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it is just me,
as someone who enjoys and appreciates green wood working and use of natural
materials, but I think they look stunning and I am very, very pleased with them
– may they stand for many more years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also whilst we were carrying out the work I found a shard of pot rim
that had been dug up from a mole hill on the barrow – potentially Bronze
Age?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jsXR70QQHNGf1VkmkciZWG-_yC2q2v0b6y-iMtsMnNvamfQbe7UYOTdn5av4zbN5TCECRg0ZYV0dp6Wz8RFyNg9bxoBNXvroxC9TzTVSR671HAzevVTdA5aNCPmPd1EY7EzHTVqlCrpZ/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jsXR70QQHNGf1VkmkciZWG-_yC2q2v0b6y-iMtsMnNvamfQbe7UYOTdn5av4zbN5TCECRg0ZYV0dp6Wz8RFyNg9bxoBNXvroxC9TzTVSR671HAzevVTdA5aNCPmPd1EY7EzHTVqlCrpZ/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take a trailer load of hurdles...</td></tr>
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</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjGDVzYg39AmKTW9EuSVTQahFbZu0V_mRElqVRXUAo0JH9tmwpmy6yiYpWEi3rEmwvY2nFfPs84fwMyfsE21_bhTNIpjd2xN4ppMvtGAfl-JeBCjgajZ0X3iBVCsdfDdVDYhNPlsqOg2I/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjGDVzYg39AmKTW9EuSVTQahFbZu0V_mRElqVRXUAo0JH9tmwpmy6yiYpWEi3rEmwvY2nFfPs84fwMyfsE21_bhTNIpjd2xN4ppMvtGAfl-JeBCjgajZ0X3iBVCsdfDdVDYhNPlsqOg2I/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A willing team of volunteers...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSJR1YQPGC9fI1qKEQ8bzqkiGcYZAIEG5EcsEGIXNzIijcwAxgkU134D5j5hYI9-eAXivjZVU-Z9YfADxlQQkDD2bV7_nWpSHbr7WORuvylB_3-9adce9PsvtU8NmOuyL3Pq6BDjYedkQ/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSJR1YQPGC9fI1qKEQ8bzqkiGcYZAIEG5EcsEGIXNzIijcwAxgkU134D5j5hYI9-eAXivjZVU-Z9YfADxlQQkDD2bV7_nWpSHbr7WORuvylB_3-9adce9PsvtU8NmOuyL3Pq6BDjYedkQ/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And you can rebuild history!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52bUzv2vpvddIhxSkGZFZu6c9eaXVU3NnBOFOd6bY64PtllUBZM6QorLgE6gJNAoAK7OmrTwgMXVdJRvwiyR-FcUkpUCbS-VAMXtL0-mNRdlrVGbg7G4vmKp74XUsrCnah0RUS707-Bam/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52bUzv2vpvddIhxSkGZFZu6c9eaXVU3NnBOFOd6bY64PtllUBZM6QorLgE6gJNAoAK7OmrTwgMXVdJRvwiyR-FcUkpUCbS-VAMXtL0-mNRdlrVGbg7G4vmKp74XUsrCnah0RUS707-Bam/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The volunteer team, whom a dog walker fondly referred to as 'barrow fairies'...snigger.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally last week myself, Laura
and Michelle took a trip to the National Trust property of Stourhead in Wiltshire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d never been before, and I hadn’t seen the
clips of films like Pride and Prejudice that were filmed there (the classic Mr
Darcy in the lake scene) so I was not expecting what I saw – what a PLACE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An absolutely stunning place, a huge rounded
valley of beautiful gardens and woodlands, which surrounds the central point of
a large and beautiful lake which has its own little islands in the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Temples, stone grottos and other structures
are found in amongst the trees as you walk around the site and even better,
there is a very nice pub within the grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF9nq_LAnrnjoGCxKM3JLfHlgAbJ9xUpDluLflm2RRJNwFjCXPZlhuV_sLkdWm2xBJ3EFYJ6BAEk5aCanqGfwufCtDjRFfa0KV89fefl1CquzeZuQlsRkwgOMdhERQYidyu_4Wv13F1aX/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF9nq_LAnrnjoGCxKM3JLfHlgAbJ9xUpDluLflm2RRJNwFjCXPZlhuV_sLkdWm2xBJ3EFYJ6BAEk5aCanqGfwufCtDjRFfa0KV89fefl1CquzeZuQlsRkwgOMdhERQYidyu_4Wv13F1aX/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYjAwWIPUa9kJoCYMMr9DfjR4clePuqw6o50Scg0tJmOIyalLeHp7mZAcYnHNq3oGBn4xIc7Rzb5YmcgV9rtcCEAHf_fdxUJQXVdJGbrP2PXhCRx3gcmn6va1x0uu-a3OHaPIsSLuJVJm/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYjAwWIPUa9kJoCYMMr9DfjR4clePuqw6o50Scg0tJmOIyalLeHp7mZAcYnHNq3oGBn4xIc7Rzb5YmcgV9rtcCEAHf_fdxUJQXVdJGbrP2PXhCRx3gcmn6va1x0uu-a3OHaPIsSLuJVJm/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We walked around the valley with the sun shining and the lake glittering
like diamonds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we paused at the top
of one path, at the site of a Grecian looking temple and looked out over the
estate Laura commented about the things that have been filmed there; “Imagine
if we bumped into Keira Knightley, right now, just walking round”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two ladies walking by heard this and piped up
quickly – “I’d much rather bump into Colin Firth!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sitting in the sun and looking at that view I
thought the place was beautiful enough, even without being adorned with good-looking
Hollywood superstars – although that’s not to say I wouldn’t appreciate a
glimpse of Johnny Depp if he happened to be passing by….</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaA0lVsdq0G11PDC3SU_7_hNu87aKsV-qE6Fo7y6DeGvuSMXehWlWojk7pxMs2XVDPDrlrPu2zrGZVY35hK5c24o6GjRqH7ragL6ABOfdqqZHR09ALiOMrfo20FHbIdpCdy10_5Y07pKSx/s1600/20150318_093723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaA0lVsdq0G11PDC3SU_7_hNu87aKsV-qE6Fo7y6DeGvuSMXehWlWojk7pxMs2XVDPDrlrPu2zrGZVY35hK5c24o6GjRqH7ragL6ABOfdqqZHR09ALiOMrfo20FHbIdpCdy10_5Y07pKSx/s1600/20150318_093723.jpg" height="400" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppy the dog enjoying basking in the sun - whilst Ryan works at tree felling in the background!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-55281449880364733002015-03-11T15:15:00.000+00:002015-03-11T15:15:42.564+00:00The Awakening<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All around us right now is the slow but sure dawning of
Spring, you can smell it on the breeze and feel it in the warmth of the sun and
best of all; you can see evidence of it just about anywhere you look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wandering around our sites I have been
thriving on the blue skies and warm winds that have blessed us for the last
couple of weeks and the midge bites and freckles I have developed as a result
are definite proof of seasonal flux.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Walking through the Duck Grounds on my birthday recently I was
treated to my best ever sighting of a Kingfisher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a silent jewel it sat on a twiggy perch
gazing at the stream below it, its beady gimlet eyes watching for a tasty
snack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally I only see Kingfishers
as passing streaks of sapphire so to actually get to watch one sitting still
apparently oblivious of me was a treat indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also then spotted a Goldcrest hopping through the bramble and through
my binoculars I could see the bright gleaming yellow crest on its head that
makes this bird so distinctive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Goldcrest vies with the Firecrest for the title of the UK’s smallest bird, but
Firecrests are far less common than Goldcrests.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRulBv12hq8x-IQXy-cBS1ygsOuW_pdqb-euMWeTFXmDxVm1qp817E_VkXYqh0Vulo7QzsP1jqJHSA_BAVLrT-7WZUN1OWsSw8lI8aXGAqUucK8CWFp40hyphenhyphen8eQ2x9uZyJEYxiuNlhQF9nB/s1600/IMG_2471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRulBv12hq8x-IQXy-cBS1ygsOuW_pdqb-euMWeTFXmDxVm1qp817E_VkXYqh0Vulo7QzsP1jqJHSA_BAVLrT-7WZUN1OWsSw8lI8aXGAqUucK8CWFp40hyphenhyphen8eQ2x9uZyJEYxiuNlhQF9nB/s1600/IMG_2471.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I also admired the newly opened Hazel flowers on the trees,
always a favourite Spring signal of mine; like a tiny fuchsia sea anemone,
these iddy biddy flowers poke out the top of Hazel buds and are the ‘female’
part of the plant, to the ‘male’ catkins.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whilst admiring all this in the Duck Grounds, I also had the
added pleasure of Sparsholt students who were helping us to clear back the
overgrown glade areas in time for the end of scrub cutting season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These areas provide a good diversity within
the peaty woodland habitat here and wild flowers and butterflies will benefit
greatly from their re-opening.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sparsholt have also been out on Stockbridge with me clearing
back Sycamore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sycamore, like Birch, can
be an ever advancing army which self-seeds and proliferates across a site and
can take over and produce a very uniform, un-diverse one-type habitat if it is
allowed to get too far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously I don’t
want Stockbridge Down, a chalk grassland and mixed scrub habitat site to become
taken over by Sycamore so we do clearance work to keep such species under
control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a great day in the sun
and they did a brilliant job of clearing a patch of Sycamore that has been
bugging me for a year or more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shall
keep the regrowth sprayed with herbicide to kill it off completely and this
should keep the tide back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It gives me a good deal of satisfaction to stand on the top
of Stockbridge Down, on the hillfort and look out across the site and be able
to see the differences we have made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can spot the Juniper down the far end which are now not encased in scrub but
stand out as the individual looking species that they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see the grassy glades in among the
scrub areas which we keep open and which provide herb rich species for
invertebrates including of course, butterflies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can see the rotation scrub work regrowing and providing differing
habitat to the mature scrub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see
the sheep slope blooming green and fresh after they grazed it last year, and
see the flock scattered like woolly blobs on the new slope area that they
reside on this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And above it all I can
always spot the fantastic array of avian life that thrives here; kestrels
hovering above the grassland, Red Kites wheeling on the thermals, Skylarks
trilling their beautiful twittering song that is so quintessential of English
countryside and, the other day, I was treated to an aerial acrobat display by
Buzzards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood on the top of the hill
and watched them fling themselves through the air, twisting and turning,
tucking in their wings and plummeting headfirst to earth like a suicidal bullet
before woooosh! They throw their wings out again and they are effortlessly borne
aloft, seconds from death by impact, to ‘dance the skies on laughter silvered
wings’ as the poem goes (High Flight, by John Gillespie Magee Jr, one of my
favourite poems).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a warm sunny
day with light winds and so who could blame them for making the most of their
sky empire and rejoicing in the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
felt rather land bound and heavy watching them and could only dream of what it
must feel like to soar and swoop in such a way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meanwhile, back at Mottisfont, Brimstones have been dancing
through the staff carpark having emerged from the Ivy in which they had tucked
down for the winter and their bright golden presence warms the cockles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are finishing the winter works and the estate has been
bustling with the last minute race to the finish line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Oakley copse and Spearywell woods we have
had Harvester machines in, clear felling areas of softwood plantation which
will be sold as timber, leaving the woodland to regenerate broadleaf native
species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harvesters are AMAZING.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are a huge machine which grabs a tree in
its transformer like claws and ziiiing! A blade has nipped out and cut the tree
at the base, detaching it from the roots. Then it turns it sideways and, using
a spikey rolling mechanism the tree is rolled through the claws and snedded
(side branches removed) in a few seconds whilst the blade ziiiing! -cross cuts
the trunk at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a matter
of seconds you have gone from a standing tree to a pile of logs – a process which
can take me about half an hour with a chainsaw, depending on how many side
branches there are to remove!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
like to bid for a harvester of our own but I think we are talking in the region
of many tens of thousands of pounds, so I may have to start saving the pennies…</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvester power!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And whilst we are doing all this felling in the last gasp of
winter, we are also planning for the future and creating life; tree
planting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As part of our Woodland Grant
Scheme we are planting up a section of land that runs round the back of our
Hazel coppice and was previously arable field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The idea is that it will increase connectivity between woodlands and
provide a future Oak timber crop in years to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find there is something very satisfying and
therapeutic about planting a tree – perhaps because so much of our work
involves felling and clearing stuff, that to actually be putting something back
into the ground and nurturing it gives me a sense of wellbeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ryan has plotted and organised the tree
planting and using his nifty method of stakes and strings to mark the spacing,
both Monday and Thursday volunteers flung themselves into the task and did a
brilliant job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In two days we had
planted almost all of the Oak species (English and Sessile) and other species
are then to follow, including Holly, Hazel and Field Maple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mulch which we piled round the base of
each tree comes from the brash we chipped from the coppice over the winter and
which will do a great job of blocking weeds from growing up round the bases of
the tree, as well as providing a nutrient filled mulch mat for the new tree to
feed off as it rots down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8xS1YWndCuoGFYbajPo2OFVfU-8RwEiRkYPJI6b3YlHGKcWwSWlo5JVA_vUfa4AdHZJDwFKhbgnIPYgl5gwq5v9hfMuJEKI2QWTwHFgt80dwVaz5xIGZHgWVrx8nLD-dtunW8S6y6eof/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8xS1YWndCuoGFYbajPo2OFVfU-8RwEiRkYPJI6b3YlHGKcWwSWlo5JVA_vUfa4AdHZJDwFKhbgnIPYgl5gwq5v9hfMuJEKI2QWTwHFgt80dwVaz5xIGZHgWVrx8nLD-dtunW8S6y6eof/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the beginning there were mulch piles....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A team of willing workers...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-rkFytbLLvqcEjdIeXa7d2DwjpvvtJkZzPd4zlbZKQAatCgG_to5l4vXGOJEDVm8e6Akqp7LSCogY4TkBzxPTp-BicXBl2sifPJv4AunHbghJ6Gr_QCsUYwOLlTXizoLBFtRueUanWtf/s1600/IMG_2488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare shot of riverkeeper Neil, doing something land based!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOywMlJKK463Xg9gG1J3xmuLwOnB8CecmYpra-uo-BtOxU8EJtD7SNb3EBuBzrd_tzOMXhGiJ07doKH81aSg4ZMVwGxixtTaJHmjdw2onp6ugIEeX5On5QqXpnsW_I5Ufc3359kyQ8hBa/s1600/IMG_2502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOywMlJKK463Xg9gG1J3xmuLwOnB8CecmYpra-uo-BtOxU8EJtD7SNb3EBuBzrd_tzOMXhGiJ07doKH81aSg4ZMVwGxixtTaJHmjdw2onp6ugIEeX5On5QqXpnsW_I5Ufc3359kyQ8hBa/s1600/IMG_2502.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of day one</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whilst we were
planting up, there was a cry of ‘Frog! Frog!’ and a minute later two of the volunteers
approached me, one of them with his hands clenched shut around something…not a
frog as it turned out (this illusion was swiftly dispelled when they saw fur)
but something that I had hoped to spot on our estate since I worked here….a
teeny tiny harvest mouse!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was most
opportune as I had remarked to my friend only a few days before as we walked
that field that it would be a perfect grassy verge for harvest mice in winter
and so I was proved correct only two days later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harvest mice are our smallest UK mouse,
weighing only 3-4g and with a fully prehensile tail which they use like a fifth
limb to climb around in grasses and reeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In summer they frequent the reeds and grasses along ditches such as
those we have in Long Lash and then in winter they move back a bit to drier
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always wanted to find a
wild Harvest mouse as I love seeing things I haven’t found before and so I was
jumping for joy over this tiny ball of ginger fluff.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1XRNz61WZoVKRJjNoeHb6m8B5iVgUuAnBm-XwZ66cyB6hrbBOgLEyzOUYnprXY7uZivuhWGAEwmufjvHnOaifjqJSBq0By4k5bZaCSlH92M3WKQ1FyYUpIz7XKl-l_paZMIfHElJ_wSE/s1600/IMG_2491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1XRNz61WZoVKRJjNoeHb6m8B5iVgUuAnBm-XwZ66cyB6hrbBOgLEyzOUYnprXY7uZivuhWGAEwmufjvHnOaifjqJSBq0By4k5bZaCSlH92M3WKQ1FyYUpIz7XKl-l_paZMIfHElJ_wSE/s1600/IMG_2491.JPG" height="155" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tiny Harvest mouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgB6cYMBz6QnDLXEAgORY64ErPyge8RAZ92HGUPq2uBT0K_kS-h7urwoYkxsU_Ui9n_Sq8oxBzPQ7OimxO2J87pmiJx2Cx5rxmCzIrNLBvez3MZM73pfU4s4F71EgBRubXpBnZZBnUqpJ/s1600/IMG_2495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgB6cYMBz6QnDLXEAgORY64ErPyge8RAZ92HGUPq2uBT0K_kS-h7urwoYkxsU_Ui9n_Sq8oxBzPQ7OimxO2J87pmiJx2Cx5rxmCzIrNLBvez3MZM73pfU4s4F71EgBRubXpBnZZBnUqpJ/s1600/IMG_2495.JPG" height="320" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately wouldn't keep still for a good photo...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally I shall leave you with this picture of a very
contented looking sheep, relaxing in the first warm sun of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a few weeks’ time they will start shedding
their winter fleeces and we shall know that the warmer months have truly arrived.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking like a fluffy puffball mushroom!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-59148910947091298412015-02-23T15:31:00.001+00:002015-02-23T15:31:19.376+00:00Winter's End<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <i>'February is merely as long as is needed, to pass the time until March'</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> J.R.Stockton</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">February has almost blown itself out with its bitter winds
and March will be creeping in as of next week, bringing with it the promise of
warmer sunshine and longer days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last
week in Oakley copse Ryan, myself and Tony spotted our first butterfly of the
year; a Red Admiral that must have been woken up from hibernation by the warmth
of the sun that day and was dozily fluttering around us, probably slightly
shell shocked after such a long nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
flitted right past my face (probably attracted to how sweaty I was after
chainsawing, like a human salt lick) and seeing that jerky flight movement that
is so characteristic of butterflies felt vaguely surreal; although you may see
butterflies from March to October or beyond, so most of the year, the months
when you are without them seem to feel like such a long time that when they do
start reappearing, it’s like discovering a new species all over again!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In preparation for other small things waking up, Sparsholt
students have been out with me for a tour of our woodlands and to help in
setting up a new Dormouse survey grid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I have mentioned before, we have dormouse boxes in a couple of woodlands
across our estate, in the hunt for these elusive little creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They only went up last year and so it was
unsurprising that no dormice were found using them last summer as it can often
take a few years for them to move into the boxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh859Tkv0RO8_nySfOso-kjCLffMOzi_zOkX7jEvglEBredX_Is3aKx8ByfK1DwDeJgIoRd1QEI98O0598RjiZg1cXS-U0VMNuWdSYsLXGE1DeowNB0_RwM525Vf2disxkYYCWhe7rStLh0/s1600/IMG_2449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh859Tkv0RO8_nySfOso-kjCLffMOzi_zOkX7jEvglEBredX_Is3aKx8ByfK1DwDeJgIoRd1QEI98O0598RjiZg1cXS-U0VMNuWdSYsLXGE1DeowNB0_RwM525Vf2disxkYYCWhe7rStLh0/s1600/IMG_2449.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparsholt putting up Dormouse boxes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have constantly found myself baffled
though, at the lack of known dormice presence in our woodlands as we have
everything they need (which, despite their name suggesting it, is not just
Hazel).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However back in December, our
deer stalker who works across our estate mentioned to me that he had seen a
dormouse a few weeks previously, running along a fallen tree and down into a
Hazel stool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I resisted the urge to
throttle him for not telling me sooner, as by the time I found out all dormice
would have been tucked deep into hibernation – in fact that is likely to be
what the one he saw was doing, looking for a spot to hibernate down in the
roots of a hazel stool. So!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A first time
sighting for the estate and one which I instantly set to work utilizing – I placed
50 nest tubes throughout this area of woodland and then Sparsholt have come out
with handmade nest boxes and placed the beginnings of a new next box grid throughout
the woodland too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I can do now, is
sit back on impatient heels and wait for spring to come and for any dormice to
start waking up and revealing themselves to me…unfortunately, patience is a
virtue I am not renowned for!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnYeowKNKq_kwLWsyXGPa2wK3sRQbi-zQF3nGd0hGebVNNKLlQWSF1p09FOBCNd0v33ykVTfwSwSgjuT1Bw7hLJso5o4UQgAkQLBSthn9jMrg1Txrt4_VGOrQ6fr_NBg0m4ztbYmMuF0P/s1600/IMG_2450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnYeowKNKq_kwLWsyXGPa2wK3sRQbi-zQF3nGd0hGebVNNKLlQWSF1p09FOBCNd0v33ykVTfwSwSgjuT1Bw7hLJso5o4UQgAkQLBSthn9jMrg1Txrt4_VGOrQ6fr_NBg0m4ztbYmMuF0P/s1600/IMG_2450.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nest tube</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, every other Sunday across our Mottisfont, Stockbridge
and New Forest estates we work with SHNTV (South Hampshire National Trust
Volunteers) doing various tasks throughout the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Sunday it was my turn to lead the day
and we had the joyous task of removing old tree protection tubes and stakes
from hedgerows around the estate that no longer required them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you drive round Mottisfont you will see
hundreds of these tubes in the hedgerow, encasing a tree that has long outgrown
it and doesn’t need protecting from rabbit damage anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plastic tubes are supposedly ‘biodegradable’
but I am yet to come across any that do in fact biodegrade within the life span
of any human or tree – I reckon some will take hundreds of years to fall apart
which isn’t much good as the tree inside will either be long dead or have grown
over it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So in order to rid our hedgerows of these plastic tubes –
which don’t get me wrong are essential for newly planted trees, to avoid them
being damaged by grazing animals – myself and the Sunday group set to work armed
with penknives, Stanley knives, secateurs and eye goggles and, quite literally –
dove in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found the best technique was
to crawl into the centre of the hedge (which naturally had a good amount of
thorn and friggin’ bramble within) and then crawl through the middle corridor
slicing open the tubes with my knife and chucking them out through the
branches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see the appeal to
wildlife in using the hedgerow as a corridor – it was quite cosy once you got
inside!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJKOnVb8ZBdpMbNKtxLtQqnapAG27OAb_1yQ1Mdxd0g18ZAsvWjPXl5b4IhqXiduLc3mHuDezjRJH_Jy27XMbvUzNQnlQu8liPM5i9Ny0SUAWrzu_g7fe5cgYJzPi33bbXUL-XokfK7BD/s1600/IMG_2452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJKOnVb8ZBdpMbNKtxLtQqnapAG27OAb_1yQ1Mdxd0g18ZAsvWjPXl5b4IhqXiduLc3mHuDezjRJH_Jy27XMbvUzNQnlQu8liPM5i9Ny0SUAWrzu_g7fe5cgYJzPi33bbXUL-XokfK7BD/s1600/IMG_2452.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lurking in the hedgerow...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The weather was cold but kind and we had a very successful
day, clearing tubes from about 1.5km of hedgerow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stash the tubes until we have a big enough
amount to take to a special recycling unit that will mash them up and reuse
them – far more sustainable then letting them biodegrade for a thousand years
in a hedgerow I reckon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last week saw our team travel to the far shores of Purbeck,
to go and spend a day with the rangers at Studland clearing gorse from the sand
dune heathland ecosystem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather
was truly glorious, with blue skies blazing and the sun beaming down – enough so
that I was hoping to spot the first adders out basking, however I think we were
making too much noise!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Purbeck team
came up to the New Forest a couple of months ago and did a day working with us,
so this was our way of returning the favour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfUOHBV4oweOJi-tNZrwfhHy_2gW5RC_ABOXQ98svLwEr01O0XHJc2lTcPO-OhDgNkhxmeElydivAiN0Imvaw7EVYdd-NeIuQ9EUYOaHxS4Ebe73VMB2NtR-bkjLfBXHnIuu5kEtAigWv/s1600/IMG_2453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfUOHBV4oweOJi-tNZrwfhHy_2gW5RC_ABOXQ98svLwEr01O0XHJc2lTcPO-OhDgNkhxmeElydivAiN0Imvaw7EVYdd-NeIuQ9EUYOaHxS4Ebe73VMB2NtR-bkjLfBXHnIuu5kEtAigWv/s1600/IMG_2453.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the chain ferry - look at that blue, blue sky!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We took a minibus of volunteers with us, with Lee at the wheel (hence
the fact they got lost around Ringwood and Poole) whilst Laura and I drove
another truck down with more volunteers and all our tools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got to the site the team gave us a
brief talk about the habitat and the ecosystem – it’s not just any heathland
site, but a sand dune heathland site which makes it that bit extra
special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also interesting to learn was
that elements such as the concrete pillar boxes which were onsite during the
war and have since been blown up have meant that lime from the concrete blocks
have, over many years, leached into the soil around it, changing its PH and
thus allowing a wider diversity of species to grow here (heathlands are
generally acidic, but the lime reduces this acidity which in turns allows
different niche species to come in).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
site is also home to all six native British reptiles – much to my delight, I made
a note to return here in spring and hunt them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our task was to assist in the cutting and
clearing of degenerate, overgrown gorse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gorse is a brilliant habitat for reptiles on heathlands but it can get
rather out of control and swallow up the heather and other species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to the steeply undulating dune landscape
the team here are unable to use machines to clear the gorse (and it would be
too damaging to the dune habitat) so they can only cut and clear by hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in we went, armed with chainsaws and bow
saws and, having plotted out the area they wanted work doing, we attacked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a great satisfaction in chainsawing
my way across a swathe of hillside, piling up the cut gorse as I went, and
looking back to see the trail we were carving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4r2S7FbZ8EbarTLfN-CjEPod4qfCAhK-CwRJOqdEhur5mLmUrV0n9MkzYZhrCaAtPeOY0qs6eL2ELiR0J4J0SR_SDyZfOkE7FWneHKGDCeRI_FkSk0W2iUo14MIy4wSVQlzB_GrZeju5/s1600/gorse+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4r2S7FbZ8EbarTLfN-CjEPod4qfCAhK-CwRJOqdEhur5mLmUrV0n9MkzYZhrCaAtPeOY0qs6eL2ELiR0J4J0SR_SDyZfOkE7FWneHKGDCeRI_FkSk0W2iUo14MIy4wSVQlzB_GrZeju5/s1600/gorse+4.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ploughing our way through the gorse (photo credits: David Jones, NT)</td></tr>
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</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As well as the sandy soil the presence of hidden blocks of blown up
concrete meant we had to be careful not to wreck our chainsaws by catching them
which would inevitably blunt the teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However I managed to avoid doing so until the very last moment, when I saw
the sparks fly as a concrete lump leapt out of the gorse at me and just caught
my saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Purbeck team kept us well
fed and watered throughout the day and we all had a great time – I couldn’t get
over the beauty of the place and everytime I reached the top of a dune I would
stand there gawping for a minute, at the rolling heathland, with the sandy
beach beyond and Old Harry and his Wife standing guard out in the blue sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So a big thanks to the Purbeck team for
having us and to our volunteers who risked Lee’s minibus driving to come and
assist and when the weather turns truly warmer – I will be heading back to
enjoy the site at its summer peak, with the coconut scent of gorse in my
nostrils…</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-ERg2_L1WuiBaFgtycy-lWRrHElXRgYE8TvODKxMP_8PNaEZrB_K1lyhnXEo67s4sX5gJsNneiyX2SFP-cEK2QRhfR0d28Xjvkk6orNby88luUs4fPCtD_TAsyFrPy9WLJratswDR-uU/s1600/gorse+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-ERg2_L1WuiBaFgtycy-lWRrHElXRgYE8TvODKxMP_8PNaEZrB_K1lyhnXEo67s4sX5gJsNneiyX2SFP-cEK2QRhfR0d28Xjvkk6orNby88luUs4fPCtD_TAsyFrPy9WLJratswDR-uU/s1600/gorse+3.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The devastation we left behind - an ocean of cut Gorse for burning...(photo credit; David Jones NT</span>)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, take note of our avian friends as winter draws to a
close – I keep seeing a good number of birds on the lawns of Mottisfont that at
a casual glance may be mistaken for Song Thrushes, with their speckled
breasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However if you stop and look
you will spot the beautiful russet red feathers on their sides which identify
them as Redwings, our smallest UK Thrush and a winter visitor from the
North.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be leaving soon,
throughout March and April, so enjoy them whilst you can as they are a
delightful bird.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTiOhuijH0rFsdAQzG3hrLjDfSZCqWuce7rJBZcwEi_l8RieDAh1XnPG2XxOWo9pTxfvLyvdKM7ao-hc-A5DwlR5JySf4SccdyOO-yRr1oYMe32B5HBmNM5rIqEW1Yi2__OcvaRefHC-8/s1600/IMG_2469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTiOhuijH0rFsdAQzG3hrLjDfSZCqWuce7rJBZcwEi_l8RieDAh1XnPG2XxOWo9pTxfvLyvdKM7ao-hc-A5DwlR5JySf4SccdyOO-yRr1oYMe32B5HBmNM5rIqEW1Yi2__OcvaRefHC-8/s1600/IMG_2469.JPG" height="232" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redwings on the lawns of Mottisfont</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And talking of feathered friends, if any of you have
read my blog long enough to remember the tale of ‘Goldie’ the Goldfinch I rescued
back in April 2013, then I am delighted to report that according to the
Mottisfont Bird Report 2014 (compiled by Alan Snook) Goldie was spotted again
in 2014 at the bird feeders at Visitor Reception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goldie was found unconscious with a damaged
wing in the grounds of Mottisfont and I took on the task of taking him home,
sorting his wing out and keeping him for a month until it healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he was able to fly again I released him
back where he was found and he was seen later that year with a flock of
finches, recognisable by his wonky wing which although healed, is now always
held at a slight angle to the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
last I heard of him was at the end of 2013 so I was thrilled when I read Alan’s
report that showed he had been seen again in 2014 in a winter flock – gives you
a real glow of pride!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And fingers
crossed that Jasper, the Nuthatch I reared last year will make an appearance
this Spring back at his birth tree, as I would love to see him again and know
how he is getting on – although this isn’t some modern day Snow White story
where all the small birds I’ve saved will flutter round me singing sweet
ballads, so I will probably never know their fate – but it doesn’t stop me
keeping my ears open for the call of a hungry Nuthatch or my eyes peeled for a wonky
winged Goldfinch and a familiar feathered face.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-71997848475358991842015-02-06T15:34:00.002+00:002015-02-06T21:27:47.221+00:00The Year of the Sheep...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Brrrrrrrrr!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last
couple of weeks has reddened our noses and frozen our digits as snow, sleet and
bitter winds have all graced us with their presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have taken to wrapping my feet in newspaper
inside my wellies for insulation, and we have all turned into hooded, scarf
over face people, from which only a peeping pair of eyes is visible.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of my sheep lookers pointed out that February 2015 is
the beginning of the Chinese New Year, which this year is – the Year of the Sheep!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result we felt that part of this blog
post dedicated to the flock was a worthy tribute, in honour of our Ovine
workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the year many of them have
been given names, by either myself or the lookers as each individual character
or appearance became more recognised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such
names include:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Boadicea (the leader of the rebel pack)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Margo/Maggot Neck (our fly strike victim who I call Maggot
Neck, but our sheep lookers changed it to the more pleasant Margo)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fatty Boom (Our plumpest girl who never loses weight)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Walter (The Wether, sole male of the flock)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bigfoot (named obviously for her large camel like front feet
and the fact she will follow you to the ends of the earth for the nut bucket)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And no doubt more will follow as they each develop their own
perks.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When the snow fell the other day I took up bales of hay to
the flock as they were unable to graze the grass and I was met by 28 rather
cross sounding bleating sheep who seemed to be implying that I should have got
there<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> much</i> sooner and didn’t I<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> know</i> how hungry they were?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I filled their corral with hay, added some
sheep nuts for good measure and then was consequently trampled by the resulting
stampede as I opened the gate to let them in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After picking myself up and picking off the clumps of frozen dung I’d
fallen in, I then inspected their water bowser which had frozen up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRHxe0LWU8F9duiMulW1oqeCCBEm_8Jo5-YnhSldtoZwi6cHutJrcj3OFCaGNpx9-YfQ0tP-UrBdwuCvmzVxPfy2e1ylrMkTCQ6O4ERAe13qOMqSFUfHHdcbVyIs7r2ynQAivBqBTfEmt/s1600/ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRHxe0LWU8F9duiMulW1oqeCCBEm_8Jo5-YnhSldtoZwi6cHutJrcj3OFCaGNpx9-YfQ0tP-UrBdwuCvmzVxPfy2e1ylrMkTCQ6O4ERAe13qOMqSFUfHHdcbVyIs7r2ynQAivBqBTfEmt/s1600/ice.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I smashed the ice layer and scooped it out,
nearly losing a finger to frostbite in the process – you can see from the above picture how thick the layer of ice can get here – being a North facing slope,
it seems to take a while longer for everything to thaw out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls seemed suitably appeased with their
snouts deep in hay and I admired their thick winter fleeces that enable them to
stay warm and cosy on that bitter snowy slope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LBx1zlP-7gtZoc17zygcl9r4MLS2cs4bKa1t4FuuyuI256jk9l2T1J4zbeqBxg47OjUGzJXvLGToKHGLR2zo5D-Z03JOlhk-EIJJg-VyyyC7GVXSU0krilxOktqG01pEx9BYyxk23UDd/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LBx1zlP-7gtZoc17zygcl9r4MLS2cs4bKa1t4FuuyuI256jk9l2T1J4zbeqBxg47OjUGzJXvLGToKHGLR2zo5D-Z03JOlhk-EIJJg-VyyyC7GVXSU0krilxOktqG01pEx9BYyxk23UDd/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From snow to Snowdrops – it’s that time of year again where
the first little hints of spring have poked their way up through the soil in
the form of pure white snowdrops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
year we do Wild Snowdrop Walks from Mottisfont grounds across to one of our
private woodlands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are organised
by myself and our Visitor Experience team and then facilitated by our Outdoor
Guide volunteers who lead the walks across the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walks are on the 7/8<sup>th</sup> Feb and 14/15<sup>th</sup>
Feb at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm – from within the pay zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked the route the other day to ensure it
was all ok and enjoyed the site of a beautiful white carpet of flowers, spread
out in the dappled sunlight beneath the canopy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whilst I favour bright yellow daffodils as my favourite flower, you
really can’t help but feel joy at the site of snowdrops – a visual feast for
the eyes after the long winter, they are a little signpost on the road to
Spring.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfi9CS8elWlVFG7DDaY7JnwhEyL59Y3Onh7xoio9WzGtSZH9M3dRfjf2JCLsSQwaN9F6TNHVdRq7ew8ubOGGew_NyIwtZIIJWKHrXUlMHTnoHAqmBbljreTcJ2NG07weVyS7chRbjO2V3O/s1600/IMG_2439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfi9CS8elWlVFG7DDaY7JnwhEyL59Y3Onh7xoio9WzGtSZH9M3dRfjf2JCLsSQwaN9F6TNHVdRq7ew8ubOGGew_NyIwtZIIJWKHrXUlMHTnoHAqmBbljreTcJ2NG07weVyS7chRbjO2V3O/s1600/IMG_2439.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VFa8Ave97Vn1iA3I43XdvkEsTfg25wrrgeak2Art7Z-4DgbzqMf2uwB8Fxv8AkgWbO8KqEbc2preoffnPxQbXHsmeA9Ofc1fMoiRHRsjdHntZeBgRqqjFEJsHiSFaHKb0Cy2FFH-6v5N/s1600/IMG_2444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VFa8Ave97Vn1iA3I43XdvkEsTfg25wrrgeak2Art7Z-4DgbzqMf2uwB8Fxv8AkgWbO8KqEbc2preoffnPxQbXHsmeA9Ofc1fMoiRHRsjdHntZeBgRqqjFEJsHiSFaHKb0Cy2FFH-6v5N/s1600/IMG_2444.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was driving around the Mottisfont estate the other day,
taking the chance to check in on some of the sites I hadn’t got to for a
while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I headed to Oakley plantation, a
small woodland of ours that is a mix of coniferous plantation and
out-of-rotation hazel coppice with standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ryan and the volunteers have been working hard to start sorting this
woodland out, by bringing the coppice back into a rotation and removing the
softwoods which Dave then sells for logs and timber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sparsholt College have also been helping us
fell the softwoods here as part of their chainsaw training courses, so
everybody gets a benefit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last year we coppiced the first section of the woodland and
this winter Ryan and the volunteers have just completed another section, as
well as removing a load of softwood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t
got there for a good few weeks so went along the other day to have a nosey and
was gobsmacked by the amount of work that had been done and how good it looked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The section they have cleared this winter is
a fairly large section and is now ready for deer fencing to be installed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wood has all been sorted into piles for
charcoal making and it all looks fantastic – considering when I was last there
it was a tangled mess of overgrown hazel, softwood and birch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot wait to see the ground flora that
will pop up in couple of months, now that they can reach the light….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19Aa3C8s6sxlQNwJT-HLhhW20z4bWdjcmGvf-lFeNsReBnwrnXiNIY5gsoWyBXYT3bCsbq3z9RAsCmT5F8FwF3l6kaXkdpYBB6F9gLtx-sRHtE58qCn7gXpxQ8V1i3QcdeCm4VJZOqdvC/s1600/IMG_2417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19Aa3C8s6sxlQNwJT-HLhhW20z4bWdjcmGvf-lFeNsReBnwrnXiNIY5gsoWyBXYT3bCsbq3z9RAsCmT5F8FwF3l6kaXkdpYBB6F9gLtx-sRHtE58qCn7gXpxQ8V1i3QcdeCm4VJZOqdvC/s1600/IMG_2417.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newly cleared section in Oakley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And in case you are wondering where the wood goes to be made
into logs – Dave extracts it to our wood yard where he and our wood yard
volunteers then spend many happy hours (boys and toys!) cutting them to length
and putting them through the log processor which spits them out as beautiful
logs, perfect for your wood burning stove or fire place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below you can see Phil and Alan our
volunteers, in action, ploughing their way through the timber pile and creating
wooden money.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4D_trR4Z-jCRbgckldYyElPgbrIAabJ-JLciMGqqsV0zZ8qvNBA-MjGHnOSp23vA1kyrCrY1ckro4Km9nz51BP-V_lO2Jk3aZ2MDDW4c_U4lTo1ZbYHls5NNGJmRzqoBFmAsdqo9UaIJ/s1600/IMG_2411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4D_trR4Z-jCRbgckldYyElPgbrIAabJ-JLciMGqqsV0zZ8qvNBA-MjGHnOSp23vA1kyrCrY1ckro4Km9nz51BP-V_lO2Jk3aZ2MDDW4c_U4lTo1ZbYHls5NNGJmRzqoBFmAsdqo9UaIJ/s1600/IMG_2411.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From wood to fireplace...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Another place I visited whilst roaming the estate was the
Oakley Oak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt it was high time I reacquainted
myself with this magnificent tree beast to see how it was doing during winter
and also to check the Barn Owl was still in residence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked beneath its gargantuan boughs and
marvelled, as I always do, at its presence, from the huge knobbly root buttresses,
worn smooth from hundreds of years of people sitting on them, to the craggy
hollow limbs that extended skywards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Beneath one limb I found a pile of Owl pellets (the small bundles of indigestable fur and bone that they regurgitate) which reassured me that
the Barn Owl was still doing well and remained tucked up in his chosen limb and
as always put the nursery rhyme in my head: ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A wise old owl, lived in an Oak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The more he heard, the less he spoke. The less he spoke, the more he
heard – why can’t we all be like that wise old bird?’</i></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Examining the pellets
I found shrew, vole and mice skulls (you can especially tell shrew skulls as
they have red tipped teeth) which seemed to point to a good supply of
food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then clambered up into the arms
of the tree and found several more areas of pellets which could either mean the
owl is perching from several roosts, or that there is more than one using the
tree which would be excellent news. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFwa1z32ty8DKAPdxfD7two0SgCCN4oz8yVr_239KSTav1F_1fQ2_zmdHcR0dZ1qiLKSVyx1MbTEaFsvuEQsdutM9L9yHAVjZL3WtnnYnG-vQFWygsP9znrhu2KnWwvphb_K437AB_Ovo/s1600/IMG_2421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFwa1z32ty8DKAPdxfD7two0SgCCN4oz8yVr_239KSTav1F_1fQ2_zmdHcR0dZ1qiLKSVyx1MbTEaFsvuEQsdutM9L9yHAVjZL3WtnnYnG-vQFWygsP9znrhu2KnWwvphb_K437AB_Ovo/s1600/IMG_2421.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl pellets - spot the skulls!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>As I sat in the
branches of that ancient Oak I looked out at the river which rippled alongside
it, crystal clear and musical, and at the sunlit fields that surrounded it
where cattle gently wandered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Birds were
singing and calling and the sun held the first hint of warmth I had felt in a
long time and with this I felt my heart lift ever so slightly; Spring was
coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were almost there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfXz5WzVGFzA9fbQqdzczTCe7rD8c7oAhzjBWI0_NXcEUBW-P6a97vYVbM2NgPu0XLcOSnNmt-ZSSZZVZrGcjdHmnZCuSC92UVzXOwkDG4x448sm8oqMotpo6V6yz0ng-H_2SqJd3K_6F/s1600/IMG_2423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfXz5WzVGFzA9fbQqdzczTCe7rD8c7oAhzjBWI0_NXcEUBW-P6a97vYVbM2NgPu0XLcOSnNmt-ZSSZZVZrGcjdHmnZCuSC92UVzXOwkDG4x448sm8oqMotpo6V6yz0ng-H_2SqJd3K_6F/s1600/IMG_2423.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Oakley Oak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079320009848535222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195373313156457070.post-56290323556259050332015-01-29T20:30:00.002+00:002015-01-29T20:31:14.081+00:00Full steam ahead.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I realise we are almost out of January now, but a rather
delayed Happy New Year to you all anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Time has flown on swift wings as usual and I have had absolutely no time
to write about what we have been up to, as we have been too busy doing it!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These first few weeks of 2015 have proven as fast paced as I
predicted and whilst we don’t have the storm damage that faced us last New Year
to contend with we are still being kept on our toes with trying to catch up
after the festive break.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the first things we got to do this year was one of
the more fun – a chainsaw course in large tree felling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Myself, Ryan, Laura and Mike spent a happy
three days learning new ways to knock over large trees safely which also involved
a type of cut called a ‘Danish Pie cut’ – just made me hungry when the assessor
was explaining it to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of our
woodland work involves plantation felling, in order to sell the softwoods to
timber merchants and allow the cleared areas to regenerate with natural
broadleaved species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All but one of the
plantation species are not native to the UK (such as Douglas Fir, Norway
Spruce) and the only native one – Scots Pine – is more naturally at home
further north in the country, and in Scotland. So as part of our English
Woodland Grant Scheme we are targeted with removing the plantations and
allowing the natural deciduous trees to fill in the gaps and so it came to pass
that we were able to work our chainsaw course around this and begin working on
another area of plantation felling at the same time. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmeZNbEGXERNG08w6lRRItmxkZjo5eazo742185PCGAbkrrlAUOaU_yEP5gnDHh96hLlxZyADJrvNM6iXKZMxNK69bMzAP3XoE6iYYHpcZyHTKrx_WwgDAEvbukGwwPNxVnOc8VDvHEB5/s1600/IMG_2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmeZNbEGXERNG08w6lRRItmxkZjo5eazo742185PCGAbkrrlAUOaU_yEP5gnDHh96hLlxZyADJrvNM6iXKZMxNK69bMzAP3XoE6iYYHpcZyHTKrx_WwgDAEvbukGwwPNxVnOc8VDvHEB5/s1600/IMG_2395.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhXOyv7mID1n35prz5rWKON5a8M1wHjPcgUabdyvqWvAdBMZL_MzxNKqypFiKswireitWMNbVn7UwEYsyMUPGzPB6dDkLcEyrgJAdrrgx99NqbE5FM8lCErsF_9H21LhWQLCNgAjCTYp-/s1600/IMG-20150120-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhXOyv7mID1n35prz5rWKON5a8M1wHjPcgUabdyvqWvAdBMZL_MzxNKqypFiKswireitWMNbVn7UwEYsyMUPGzPB6dDkLcEyrgJAdrrgx99NqbE5FM8lCErsF_9H21LhWQLCNgAjCTYp-/s1600/IMG-20150120-WA0002.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura, Ryan, myself and 'Loggerhead Mike' after finishing our course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Needless to say things got a bit competitive and whilst I
managed to fell the tallest tree (114ft), both Laura and Mike felled ones that
were significantly wider around the base; mine measured only 3ft across whilst
their chunkers’ were at least another foot in width.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our assessor took some videos of us felling
and below are videos of Laura and I felling our trees – mine is in slow motion
(which gives some impressive tree creaking noises) and Laura’s is in time lapse
which makes her look like she has had a lot of energy drinks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We all passed successfully and enjoyed ourselves at the same
time, so a good few days all round.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also with us for the first 3 weeks of January were work
placement students from Sparsholt who came and mucked in with everything we
could throw at them; from working in the winter chill of the river, to building
a pole lathe, to ride clearance work, to tree planting, to gorse cutting, to
sheep vaccinations, they had a taste of our work across all our sites and (I
think) they thoroughly enjoyed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
enjoyed having them and found them very helpful and good to work with, so
thanks Paul and Andy for all your efforts; hope we haven’t put you off a
countryside career too much!</span></div>
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.<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And talking of sheep vaccinations….Last week saw the Dreaded
Date arrive, the annual vaccination and worming of our sheep flock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may remember from last year’s account
(Mud-Wrestle-Sheep-Rugby) that Ryan and I had one hell of a task getting all
the sheep treated, and got very battered, bruised and dragged around in the
process, so it was with justifiable trepidation that I set the date for this
year’s wrestling match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told the
students to ensure they had a good supply of Radox and Deep Heat waiting for
them at home afterwards and Ryan and I regaled them with the horror stories
from last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loaded up the trucks
with vaccines, needles, worming guns and hurdles and set off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we arrived, I went on ahead in order to
try and call all the flock into the corral – if we went in with both trucks the
sheep would know that something different was going on and would be unlikely to
come willingly (I realise this sounds ridiculous, but its true – they recognise
my truck and will come running for sheep nuts but when we go in with two trucks
they know it means something bad for them; such as being rounded up, so they
keep away – I never knew their memories were so good).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I started bellowing to the empty hills ‘COME
OOOOOOOONNNNN!’ and within seconds I heard the answering bleats as a stream of
fat white blobs came running out of the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They all came into the corral for sheep nuts and I counted them with my
fingers crossed: 27 – 1 missing. Damn! Here we go, I thought, the usual one
missing that will refuse to be caught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
shut the rest in the corral for the moment and called again and again, hoping
we wouldn’t have to try and catch one sheep on a 4 hectare slope of woodland
and grassland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a minute or so,
during which time it began to snow lightly, I heard a very faint ‘<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">baaaaaaa’ </span>in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called again and the answering cry got
louder: <span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">‘baaaaaaa…</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">.baaaaaaa</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span>.baaaaaa<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.baaaaaaaa</span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">!' </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">until out of the scrub popped the final
sheep, screaming at the top of her woolly lungs at being the last one to arrive
at the dinner table and running full pelt.
She rolled down the slope and straight through the gate I held open for
her and Bingo! half the battle was already won, with the entire flock penned up
within ten minutes</span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjhapGwhwfid7ikUMmJokyUiuJRcIDpP8lFEYwGFuS0erK-jiErazq6063sMgbiuXBz3YxJcZbA24CVF8Z_83zVBvsESNPgALs2DoDs5t82qbnwvgdDowcWcSq_5tvGeL6iHfGPxD4sM5/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjhapGwhwfid7ikUMmJokyUiuJRcIDpP8lFEYwGFuS0erK-jiErazq6063sMgbiuXBz3YxJcZbA24CVF8Z_83zVBvsESNPgALs2DoDs5t82qbnwvgdDowcWcSq_5tvGeL6iHfGPxD4sM5/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penned up</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ryan and the students then drove across and we unloaded, got
a pen system set up and got all the medical stuff ready and then, with our
fingers already frozen in the chill, we began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The students were keen to do some sheep handling so Ryan and I happily
let them do the majority of the heavy work, grabbing sheep and holding them in
place, whilst we sorted out the vaccines and the worming doses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZa1Gk8klmugdVhNLytUVIW0tScaehiE835lRoH4TbEuOP1SryJUql6pLUzMKU1_kmV_OjktT7XomV04FEELkHSkDKsSD4ZZwuPOwmS5nRIshEg4QQfqU2ja0G4-KX15GwSpkdDRwV0Yt/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZa1Gk8klmugdVhNLytUVIW0tScaehiE835lRoH4TbEuOP1SryJUql6pLUzMKU1_kmV_OjktT7XomV04FEELkHSkDKsSD4ZZwuPOwmS5nRIshEg4QQfqU2ja0G4-KX15GwSpkdDRwV0Yt/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">rugby catching sheep!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzHBEhtnUtfwWUiclZ8slNJ9Z22fDDWuym_pJBUbYSjJtoZP99B8XSJw2vioYxBZ3qjVWm6X7ZIhz7KK9cdXE1bgjYh-Q7qBoxKn1ZuhxI6bpUj4pgDGLxJSeFpPCwTbeVFANekcJp9Vy/s1600/IMG_2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzHBEhtnUtfwWUiclZ8slNJ9Z22fDDWuym_pJBUbYSjJtoZP99B8XSJw2vioYxBZ3qjVWm6X7ZIhz7KK9cdXE1bgjYh-Q7qBoxKn1ZuhxI6bpUj4pgDGLxJSeFpPCwTbeVFANekcJp9Vy/s1600/IMG_2383.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The medical bay.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With four of us we got a good system going
and I couldn’t believe it as the sheep flowed through smoothly one after the
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst they weren’t happy about
being stabbed with a needle and made to swallow a dose of Cydectin, they seemed
easier to deal with than ever before – I didn’t get head butted in the face, no
nasal botfly larvae was procured and overall it was our easiest, most
successful sheep treatment session ever with all animals wormed, vaccinated,
condition scored and given a general MOT within two hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were all marked with a bright purple
Nike style tick on their rumps so we could see which ones we had done; they
didn’t seem too keen on sporting their new logo’s but they will just have to
put up with them until they shed their fleeces in early summer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxV_BiaC_bqiVu41pzIv2gSB2j8ka7ob3objqtG58IVjlpNZaz7n9BHwuBf47cbwtu-yYrhq-MzBpyOlE_7wrSBgeVOzNupiPaygWXBvWAF-UnWsyyn_JzxwFdram17nPACpprUnY1DJ4l/s1600/IMG_2390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxV_BiaC_bqiVu41pzIv2gSB2j8ka7ob3objqtG58IVjlpNZaz7n9BHwuBf47cbwtu-yYrhq-MzBpyOlE_7wrSBgeVOzNupiPaygWXBvWAF-UnWsyyn_JzxwFdram17nPACpprUnY1DJ4l/s1600/IMG_2390.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Job done.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you read my blog throughout the summer months you will
know how much I waffle on about butterflies, those colourful guardians of the
warmer months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst they are all
dormant at this time of year we can at least pave the way for them and to this
end I took the Monday volunteers out to do some work on a Duke of Burgundy
project that we doing on Stockbridge Down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Duke of Burgundy is a small little butterfly, incorrectly named a
Fritillary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are in fact a member of
the Metalmark (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lycaenidae</i>) family,
the only member of this family to be found in Britain and Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLFcbHx0YFy7WhM_C-L7ROA8jpKPSfZUWcXnvn40U83Pny_vjOiyiZKeGbtRXxiRKHagOm2eQzMW9QD9RkRqUSb7nAfOhcGiJNEaqdqeCRMwc4-lGy8N2wvDadRiyeJXbcnNAP8c2lbM4/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLFcbHx0YFy7WhM_C-L7ROA8jpKPSfZUWcXnvn40U83Pny_vjOiyiZKeGbtRXxiRKHagOm2eQzMW9QD9RkRqUSb7nAfOhcGiJNEaqdqeCRMwc4-lGy8N2wvDadRiyeJXbcnNAP8c2lbM4/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" height="254" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Duke of Burgundy</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They were once a creature of woodland glades
and coppiced areas but as coppicing became less practiced and the glades and
open areas become more overgrown the Duke of Burgundy suffered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are a fairly fussy butterfly that
requires its food plant of Primrose or Cowslip to be in partial shade on the
edge of a glade and not out in full sun where they may wither.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve heard they like plants to have at least
4 leaves on which to lay their eggs (although how they can count I don’t know).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the cessation of coppicing they did
manage to adapt to scrubby chalk downland areas that had their food plants on
such as Stockbridge Down and as woodland management changes to try and
encourage rides, glades and coppicing they are making a comeback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Across the road from the Down we have a strip
of land and in the neighbouring field that borders it there is a good size
colony of Dukes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Dukes are often
seen on our strip of land of, having crossed over from their colony and we have
consequently been doing our bit by cutting back some of the overgrown hazel on
our land and opening up the glades where their foodplants are found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This work has been started by the volunteers
and to further it, the Butterfly Conservation Trust are funding us to do more
work with contractors, cutting a large swathe of overgrown hazel which will
open up the Duke area a lot more and also enable us to bring the hazel back
into rotation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that this work
will not only keep the butterflies coming across to our land but encourage them
to further breed and spread across the Down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So come May and June you may see me wandering through the cleared areas
peering at some tiny fluttering specks among the Cowslips and the Primrose….</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB97OyXVH3Ecn7bnPYrtBYgtgLsFj9oJWyn0UZE3YqtsOvquUPm6j4rhUNK429_fCZr2KGa1AMrm6BsZtyIn8Iuus_7jaxrElZvKm6Kw8B3XdQret_gSQLPgpJQIT79BJKrbOXy-T7IEZ9/s1600/IMG_2371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB97OyXVH3Ecn7bnPYrtBYgtgLsFj9oJWyn0UZE3YqtsOvquUPm6j4rhUNK429_fCZr2KGa1AMrm6BsZtyIn8Iuus_7jaxrElZvKm6Kw8B3XdQret_gSQLPgpJQIT79BJKrbOXy-T7IEZ9/s1600/IMG_2371.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearing overgrown hazel</td></tr>
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</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILIoemaoavksbrfBKwAGWCa11D5uvkAiV9HSW5gXV1IyRLvQEzLU_T0GCiVGSYN0TZjytAuvhG280bkBq5mejr0gvZzSIDORoRjsLrpThzl56oaI0lyAIj1Y8E66hSNcQ1SV2apradO4U/s1600/IMG_2373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILIoemaoavksbrfBKwAGWCa11D5uvkAiV9HSW5gXV1IyRLvQEzLU_T0GCiVGSYN0TZjytAuvhG280bkBq5mejr0gvZzSIDORoRjsLrpThzl56oaI0lyAIj1Y8E66hSNcQ1SV2apradO4U/s1600/IMG_2373.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening up the glade</td></tr>
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