Bats stop play!

Healthy 'confident' Cygnet on the Broadwater

Unfortunately this didn't save our T20 team against Sri Lanka and today at Sherborne the 25 lesser horseshoe bats in the bat cave prevented the construction work planned from going ahead. We started the morning with Morris by first visiting the Bothy and Cellar at the Sherborne nursery to do a bat count.  The work done in the Bothy is still providing  dividends as 22 bats were enjoying this summer roost but the cellar only contained 1. We didn't disturb the Kennels since the last visit showed a large count of active bats in this favourite roost and the predictions were there were probably even more. After facing the extreme growth of vegetation, comfry in particular, at the bat cave and transporting more equipment prior to the survey which revealed the presence of bats, we beat a strategic retreat. The construction in the winter roost bat cave was duly rescheduled for July when even the laziest bats should have moved to their summer roosts.

The 'Thoughtful' cygnet

On another hot day enjoyed a relaxing lunch break down by the Broadwater. Lots of tufted duck pairs (but no young as yet}  and 3 herons enjoying the fishing. Sadly only 3 cygnets on show with our resident swans extra defensive after losing one more of this seasons offspring. It does illustrate what a feat it was that last years 9 offspring all survived.

My animal audience at Ewe Pen

Given the bank holiday and a wet forecast Mike persuaded me it was best to take advantage of the dry spell today to carry out some extreme mowing plus strimming of village verges and the grassy areas around Ewe Pen and the lodges. Hopefully the neater looking Sherborne area will be appreciated for this holiday period. Certainly a change from tree guard work and although hot work it was made easier in the dry when compared with last times wet conditions.

Revealing nature and economy blog by Martin Harper,  can/should we really put a 'value' on nature although its the only language Osbourne will respond to?