Winter by the brook

coppicing by the bridge

All clear but material needs to be moved to far bank

Looking much clearer along old Sherborne brook

Sad to see demise of old dead tree

First day of winter and a sunny but cool day with the GWT coppicing along the banks of the old Sherborne brook.  Will, assisted by Emma, lead the large volunteer team which headed down to the water meadows and initially focussed operations by the Gravelpits copse stretch of the brook and later moved onto the Birch copse stretch. We soon discovered that most of the coppicing was on the bank adjacent to the Gravelpits copse although I did get a good clump by the bridge on the other side. Was expecting to operate in the brook, having donned waders, but soon discovered the brook was too deep so had to operate from the bank. This meant I had to throw all the coppiced wood across the brook to the Gravelpits side where it would be tidied up by that part of the team working there. Was happy to see a couple of Red Kites but not so pleased to see that one of the iconic dead trees of the Sherborne estate had finally fallen leaving the landscape that much poorer.

Have resisted, for a while, mentioning the short comings of DEFRA, NE,NFU {and to some extent the NT } but the issues regarding Grouse shooting, wildlife crime and countryside mismanagement remain [although grudgingly criminal activities now being acknowledged by the likes of the Moorland Association]  as references by Mark Avery's blogs peak district and wildlife crime demonstrate.

A frosty start on the river

View of some of the obstructions/overshading from a very dodgy bridge

Cleared stretch of water further downstream

Rising temperature provided 'creeping' mist

Second water course forming 'island' on the far bank

Unobstructed view now, looking back at the bridge 

Spent Friday working with the GWT on a stream close to Ablington which flows into the river Coln at Bibury {trout farm}. John led the team on a sunny, frosty morning and the work was pretty similar to that carried out Mareslaid but in a prettier stretch of countryside. On this occasion I donned some waders and spent most of the time in the water removing loose wood debris and cutting back & hinging to the bank the extensive obstructions/overshading of tree branches arching across the water course. There were some heavyweight branches which required John to break the silence with his chainsaw. Once again the solid efforts of the team made quite a difference to a significant stretch of water hopefully helping improve the environment for water voles and fish.

Bothy Bonanza!

Blue posts leading to mine were covered by vegetation

Zoom in to spot mine entrance

Extra wide gate granting access to 'mine/bat cave compound'

Joined Mike and Maurice on a crisp and sunny November for this season's first Bat survey, starting at the Bat Cave. There were a healthy 90 lesser horseshoes in the Bat cave, 23 in the kennels, a record breaking 98 in the Bothy and 1 in the cellar giving a total of 212. Work would be needed on 'step repair' to the mines for the December count and a renewed promise of renovation work on the cellar entrance was made i.e. Maurice and myself to refit door with suitable slot for bats access ala the very successful Bothy model.

Inevitably the Autumn, Winter and possibly another Spring 'watch' will continue to curtail my activities at Sherborne but when Mike can escape the demands of the BBC/NT management I hope to sneak in some real conservation/countryside management work.

'Careful' coppicing

An overly cluttered stretch of Sherborne Brook

Coppicing to help water flow & introduce more light

Spent Friday with GWT on a stretch of Sherborne brook just down from the boat house and weir, Mareslaid copse. John led the volunteer team where the task was to clear lots of loose debris from the river and reduce the over shading caused by fallen trees. The challenge was to help the river flow more easily by removing the many obstacles in the river, reduce the over shading (helping plant growth & of course water voles} but leave enough shading for the fish {especially the trout}.  Apparently regulations on what can be removed and what has to stay is tricky but we did our best with John's guidance. Its been a while since Mareslaid copse has been worked on so plenty of work lay ahead for the large team.

Go Faster GWT?

Reserved parking at the co-op for a special car

Yep it really is Lewis Hamilton's 2016 Formula 1 car

Today was spent at Greystones where John was leading a team to cut back willow growth along the central ditch. The renovations {exterior at least } at Greystones are looking good but I was not prepared for the standard of car parked outside the new Bourton Co-op. Ok it was second hand but only one year old and one 'careful' previous owner who only happened to be Lewis Hamilton {number confirms it}. Wasn't sure whether the WT have decided to go for speed {for their new transport}  rather than practicality but the slicks were the tyres fitted so it was a good job today was dry & sunny!

Needed 4x4 to load willow on, Formula 1 not too practical

Impressive sculpture outside roundhouse

My first view of Greystone's roundhouse, Tom's new home? 

The team {~12}was divided into 2 which covered two stretches of the central ditch cutting across 2 fields. On the far side of the ditch,  {enclosed by a stock fence} was SSSI land and of course most of the willow stands which needed cutting was on this side of the ditch. The good news was John was able to drive 4x4 to the fence line where we could load it with the willow once it had been deposited on the non SSSI land. Again the clearance of these willow stands will be good for the water voles who use this water causeway as one of their 'highways' on the reserve. At midday, having done my bit, I passed by the Greystones roundhouse which I had made a small contribution to earlier this year. 

Autumn clearance

Top of Ragged copse, self portrait?

Wednesday was spent with Mike at Sherborne, carrying out various clearance tasks. The first was at the 'Bat cave' where the vegetation, mainly Comfrey, had completely hidden the path. An aggressive use of the brush cutter soon uncovered the path down to the mine and revealed the steps. Had to replace/secure some of the stakes supporting the steps and all was ready for a visit by the Springwatch team on thursday. We then moved onto the top section of Ragged Copse where some path and fence line shrub clearance was carried out, continuing the work started earlier in the week. Not a bad mornings work especially since at the start of morning Mike had suffered 'a battering' in a fall in the estate yard.

Hyde Mill residence, we were downstream of this

Today was spent with the GWT at Hyde mill alongside an overgrown stretch of the river Dickler. John led the volunteer team which was divided into teams one checking previous work on this stretch of river and the team I was in was removing stands of willow providing shading detrimental to the growth of sedge grass etc. an important food source for water voles. Given limited available space to dispose of the large amounts of willow it was fortunate John had a trailer to collect the brash in and the nearby Meadow farm yard provided the area to unload  the material.

Ash 'bowled' over?

One half of the split Ash trunk astride the Pleasure Grounds fence

Tractor supporting Ash to pull it back over the fence

Wednesday was spent with Mike and James in the 'bowling alley' adjacent to the Pleasure grounds Sherborne. Some dispute  exists as to where the 'bowling alley' name came from with the Americans { second world war} making their claim and a document from the 19t century seemingly referencing it also. Anyway a part of an ash tree had split apart in this area and needed prompt attention before either the fence or cattle using the pasture were put at risk. The tractor with large trailer, 4x4 and full compliment of chain, pole, silky and other saws were all needed to carry out the task. Access was via ewe pen and several gates so not an easy journey. With some careful, skilful  chain and pole saw use combined with the tractor the split trunk{s} of the ash was safely brought to ground with no damage to the fence or us! All the brash was tidily piled up on the Pleasure grounds side of the fence and the wood blocked up and placed in the trailer. A full mornings work and hopefully the farmer appreciative of the work done.

Toby first to respond, for a change

No news on Barn owl boxes at Greystones today so took the 'boys' to Leckhampton Hill.

Summer constructions

Bridge and water course Temple Ham

Bottom rail still to fit 

Volunteering has become a bit more hit and miss these days and for a variety of reasons. The NT is behaving more oddly than usual {eg. Springwatch, what warped thinking is going on in the Peak district[Grouse shooting, myths]} and the WT opportunities have been less than the norm for me. However health permitting its still worthwhile taking what's on offer as todays session with GWT at Temple Ham proved. Richard led, what was the smallest WT team I've been part of {4}, to an open access pasture just outside of Bourton. Earlier work had already set up the large 'strainers' by the water course and gate which provided access via a small bridge to the 30-40  acre pasture where cattle would soon be grazing. Todays session was to erect a railed fence on the bridge and two sections of barbed wire fence alongside the open water course. The objective was to ensure the cattle would be prevented from causing excessive damage to the water course banks. While Richard led half the team setting up the barbed wire fences I with Andy set up the railed fence on the bridge. The other advantage in this wetland area is the relative ease with which the fence posts can be installed using the metal bar and drival. Always good to see the outcome of honest labour as well as a positive contribution to the protection of this environment for the foreseeable future.

Friendly Admiral!

Did manage to help the Bat trust and Mike/Maurice at the Sherbourne winter Bat roost in July/August. The first session in July surveyed and carried out initial construction in the Bat mine. While Mike and Maurice  did the necessary engineering in the mine I {with new walky talky for H&S use!} carried out some essential path clearing since the vegetation had all but overgrown access down to the mine. In the hot weather I made a friend with a red admiral which clearly was attracted to my honest sweat. We revisited the mine this wednesday where Mike and Maurice carried on the engineering work albeit hampered by 4 male bats which had made an early return to this roost probably hoping for first access to returning females! In fairly damp conditions outside I was engaged in digging out the area around the 'second' entrance to the mines to allow a previously engineered metal frame to fit. The objective was to seal this entrance from unwanted intrusion from a relatively new 'dark' group of people who are seeking to enter mines such as this without permission or regard to damage done to such important bat habitats. Sadly incursions in nearby cave systems have already taken place.

On a more positive note was treated this week, in my local area, to the sight of  a pair of greater spotted woodpeckers, a family of 3 kestrels hunting on the Crickley Hill scarp and a roe deer which had strayed onto the newly cut cricket pitch on Burrows playing field. My dogs ignored the deer clearly still thinking fondly of the Pembrokeshire beaches they visited in July.

Monkey pull followed by a gentle kicking!

Good spot on the windrush near Brassy reserve

Innovation at the cattle water station to help calves, nicely modelled  'kick net'

River wind rush, small waterfall from watercress beds

Detailed analysis of 'kick samples'

Spent today with GWT at a favourite spot, adjacent to Brassy reserve, the Aston farm watercress beds. The mornings task was to remove Monkey Flower plants and then to carry out some kick sampling to gauge the health {as indicated by micro invertebrates} of the watercress beds which lie alongside the river Windrush. On the way to the beds we passed by a cattle water station where John pointed out an innovation GWT had added to help the calves who were not getting a drink mainly because of their size. At the watercress beds John, task leader {Will joined later}, explained the task  and with waders on we happily stepped  into the cool waterbeds to carefully remove any Monkey flowers plants. Clearly extraction work in previous years had been effective since in just over the hour the Monkey flowers were all removed plus some ash and sycamore saplings which over shadowed the beds. This meant the 'kick sampling' of the waterbeds could begin in earnest with 3 teams of 3/4 each operating along one of three of the watercress beds. The method involved 'gentle kicking' of the water into the sample net at different locations for about one minute duration. The sample was then emptied into a trug before repeating the operation two more times. The contents of the trug was then carefully emptied into white trays containing clear water to allow identification of any micro invertebrates.  Against a list of specific invertebrates a count was carried out. In the sample my team collected ~ 100 shrimp were found along with several  blue winged olive, caddis fly plus an impressive Bull Head fish! Also spotted my first Beautiful Demoiselle of the season. Unfortunately had to leave before full analysis of samples was completed and a 'score' for the waterbeds was given. But on the strength of the sample I was involved with {from probably the 'least healthy looking' area }it should be at least a 6+.

Update on waterbed scores gives a reasonable 5,7 and 9 for each of the waterbeds sampled. Other countryside news this Saturday, on my early morning dog walk, revealed a green woodpecker plus 5 healthy fox cubs happily playing by their den.

Budgehill Blues...

Dad shows youngsters how to deal with the heat

Common Blue, section 3

Common Blue, section 5

Green veined white,section 5

Likes to make an appearance,resident brown Hare

Pretty good conditions for Budge Hill butterfly survey and 31 butterflies kindly flew within transect during my 50 minute survey. Vegetation within transect has grown apace since April and this is especially true on Budgehill Bank where yellow rattle has shot up along with various grasses. Cowslips have pretty much gone over and after a widespread search the 'Dukes' are conspicuous by their absence. Still 9 Speckled woods, 12 Large whites, 3 Small whites , 3  Common Blues, 1 Green-veined white, 1 Orange tip, 1 Peacock and 1 Red Admiral was a pretty respectable total. As well as an appearance from the usual Hare, 2 adult Buzzards came close one startled from an ash tree close to the trail.

Egrets and bats

Great White on the Broadwater

Camera shy, couldn't get closer than drystone wall

Wednesday at Sherborne was fairly relaxed probably because of the recent bank holiday but more likely due to the rangers seeking a respite from their increased activities in support of the current wildlife initiative. Mike did invite me to a brief visit to the 'kennels' bat roost where he carried out a minor but important 'carpet fitting' over camera cables. I witnessed the  lesser  horseshoe bats settling into their summer roost and saw the 'approved' camera installation which hopefully will capture some rare footage of bat 'pups' in June. On the return journey to the estate office we saw 2 little egrets and a great white egret on the Broadwater. I managed to get a long range picture of the rarely seen great white egret which proved to be even more sensitive to disturbance than the more common grey herons. The rest of the session was spent with James where I helped to pickup two 5 bar gates from Stow on the Wold, no mean feat but I did learn how to tell a left hand from a right hand gate!.

Also managed to see some of the motion cameras  footage where foxes, badgers, pheasants and deer showed up in numbers and proved less camera shy than might be expected. Looks promising for fitting trackers to the resident badgers and foxes.

Stampede on Ukbms survey

2 dozen cattle on the hoof at the end of Transect!

Saved by the fence

Carried out second Ukbms survey at Budgehill on Sunday 9th April, butterfly count up to 11 from 3. Species consisted of Brimstones , Small and Large Whites, Orange tips and 2 small Tortoiseshells most mainly in Budge hill belt and Budge hill bank sections.Two buzzards and red kite plus a hare also on show.


Third Ukbms survey today proved to be disappointing as not one butterfly decided to show. The only excitement came with the sighting of a Roe deer in Budge hill belt and in section 5 when the cattle came across the cattle crossing ,{first erected 9 April}, and on seeing me approaching altered their course from the hay feeder to greet me in a mini stampede!

WWW @ Sherborne!

Hedge by Sandy Hill Copse

Nicely 'disguised' trap in Clarks Close

There is currently a big initiative at Sherborne to discover more about the local wildlife and its behaviour in the varied Sherborne environments {the Who &Where of local Wildlife}. So with James this wednesday the main task was to survey the humane badger & fox traps which were setup at promising locations to allow the 'GPS tagging' of these larger mammals . Currently the traps aren't primed to trap wildlife, but baited with suitable food aimed at making the wildlife comfortable with the presence of the traps before they are eventually set. Once the foxes&badgers are fitted with 'trackers' their daily behaviours can then be monitored to give an important insight into how they interact with the Sherborne environment. With surprisingly good weather we started the survey at Northfield Barn before moving onto Sandy Hill Copse and Clarks Close. It was good to see the hedges I planted with Mike in the Sandy Hill/ Clarks Copse  area  are looking good and that the rail fence around the top of Clarks close has been completed. The 3 traps in this area all appeared to have been visited as most of the food placed in them had gone. Hopefully the motion cameras located by the traps will reveal which animal had consumed the food.

Speckled wood, Century wood

GWT river bank improvements, Sherborne Brook

We then moved on to Century Wood and again the traps in this area had been visited. Once again the traps were replenished with food, peanuts for the badgers and dry dog food for the foxes. While in this wood we were treated to a sighting of fallow deer, a hare and a speckled wood butterfly. We also saw quite a number of Orange tip butterflies throughout the survey. I have seen this butterfly in a number of locations and on days where the temperatures have been quite low, its obviously one of the more 'hardy' species. The final trap was down in the Water meadows  by the Sherborne Brook close to one of the Otter holts Mike had built some years ago.  While in this area we paid a visit to the Sherborne Brook where the GWT had recently carried out further  river bank improvements and we disturbed a grey heron also interested in the improved fishing opportunities. We saw a couple of red kite flying over the pasture adjacent to Birches & Century wood {probably attracted to the sad demise of a spring lamb} and we observed there was still a small amount of water left in the 'scrape'.  Look forward to seeing what James discovers on the various motion camera cards he extracted on this survey.

Hare and 'Tortoise'!

Small Tortoiseshell, where have the large ones gone!

Wednesday session with NT was cancelled but on Thursday I did help carry out Sherborne's first ukbms butterfly survey, led by Anna {newly appointed environment ranger for Sherborne}, on a Transect {divided into 5 sections, section 1 Budge Hill Belt to section 5 Windrush camp} in the Budge Hill area. Weather was favourable but it was  clearly too early in the season for any significant butterfly numbers to be seen. As it turns out we spotted in section 2 a Small Tortoiseshell and  two Peacocks  in section 5, but no 'Dukes'!. That was it for this survey,  apart from an appearance of a fine looking hare in section 5. and ~6 roe deer in section 1.

Original Revetment work on Sherborne brook, 2013

Mike's tractor trailer full of fascines & stakes, all used!

River risen higher than original fascines 

Some serious repairs and re-tying of fascines

One of the new compartments taking shape on 'land' side of new bank 

Todays session with The Wildlife Trust, ironically was at Sherborne, down in the water meadows by Sherborne Brook. The task led by John, with Alan and George assisting, was to carry out some repairs and to add additional 'compartments' to the river bank work previously completed on a stretch of the Sherborne Brook. Already the existing river work can be seen to be doing its job nicely with river depth and flow increased {which should please the fishing fraternity}. The increase in depth meant that additional fascines needed adding to increase height of artificial bank and repairs to some existing fascines needed by adding and/or re-tying. I joined one of the teams in creating the new compartments which were to be constructed on the 'land side' of the new bank to stimulate new plant growth and speed up the process of establishing the new river bank. In the fairly warm conditions it was good to be working in the cool water, provided the waders remained watertight and you didn't swallow any of the water.  In addition a water vole survey was carried out and provided good evidence that the habitat improvements in this area is helping to increase vole numbers.

Some more detail from NT director Simon Pryor on a better environment, hope to see this for real in my patch!