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.