An early Spring Dip!

Will  close to an icy plunge

                                                        Exposed Water vole burrow in river bank

                                                             River Eye banks cleared

Tuesday was my first 2015 session with the Wildlife Trust at a sunny Greystones featuring a walk in the river Eye, fortunately in waders. The task was to cut back new growth of Willow along the banks of the Eye plus remove some substantial branches which spanned the river. This was a continuation of work done in previous years and would help promote the right kind of environment for the growing water vole population. The session was lead by Will and Richard with an unusually low number of volunteers {3 of us} to carry out the shrub clearance. Some care was required as the river levels were still high which meant there were stretches where the depth was too high even in waders. Fortunately no unplanned incidents took place and the work progressed well in the welcome sunny spring weather which attracted a fine looking buzzard flying low on the hunt for field voles or similar.

Kennels in Lodge Park's coach house grounds

Today at Sherborne,  on another fine spring day, the day was spent at Lodge Park and in particular in the coach house grounds.  The day was dominated by the felling of a number of squirrel damaged beech trees and the subsequent clearing of the associated brash. The usable wood was blocked by Mike and stored in the nearby outbuildings. Whilst the power tools were in use Ollie and Maddie were conveniently placed in the old kennels. They weren't too pleased with the imprisonment and on release made best use of their freedom which included hindering me as I built up a sizeable brash pile in the adjacent woodland. A busy day and part of the task to tidy up Lodge Park ready for its opening later this month.