'Tintin' and a less 'Poplar' Bibury?

Wednesday at Sherborne, with James, started off with a grim task. 6 Canada geese were found dead in the West Belt by a family taking a walk through the woods. Our task was to find these unfortunate geese and discover what might have happened. It was clear when we tracked their location down that poachers had been at work and having shot theses geese probably somewhere along the Sherborne or Windrush had taken what they required from the birds then just dumped the remains over the wall in Westbelt. The incident would be reported and the bodies suitably disposed, its unlikely the perpetrators will be found. Whilst carrying out this task, and on a slightly more positive note, we discovered a lost labrador, 'Tintin', who happily we reunited with his owner. 

6 dominating poplars, Rack Isle

Less dense vegetation, courtesy Belted Galloways

Rack Isle nicely cropped, but something is missing!

No more poplars on Rack Isle

The main job of the day was to visit Bibury to carry out some coppicing plus some ground work in the Arlington row private car park. Quite a change to Rack Isle, Bibury, since my last visit. The Belted Galloway's had certainly done their job in reducing the dense vegetation and the contractors had done an impressive job of removing 6 large poplars a task long awaited for. Lots of willow to be coppiced, alongside the river Coln, all of which would need to be placed in the trailer for disposal in the nursey area.

This week evidence was given, from both sides, on driven Grouse shooting {yet more slaughter, see above,  of wildlife as a consequence}. Odd thing was the Countryside Alliance/Moorland Association were grilled by Simon Hart MP who happens to be chairman of the Countryside Alliance! Next is the Government debate on 31 October, not expecting the pro shooting MPs will be 'shot down' by the petition to ban driven grouse shooting. However its a strong warning to those arrogant elitists that scientific, reasoned arguments eventually will break down their fortress of misinformation, lies, criminal acts and 'tradition' sooner than any of us thought possible only a short time ago.