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 Heathering we will go!

Heathering weaved & twisted to secure top of hedge

Richard with chainsaw applying finishing touches

From RSPB scrapes side, work  remaining at Birch Copse end

Finished hedge with a couple of heatherings to spare

On a misty tuesday morning set off to Sherborne water meadows to meet up with the Wildlife Trust to resume the hedging work started in March. It being Easter it was a small {6} volunteer team lead by Richard who arrived with the essential 'heatherings' {hazel bundles},  his expertise and instruction graphics. Initially confidence wasn't high in becoming competent at heathering but with suitable prompting by Richard, and getting on with it, a respectable outcome was achieved. Weaving the hazel between the stakes and twisting the hazel stakes around each other eventually achieved the desired effect of holding the hedge firmly in place. It certainly made it clear that the previous positioning of the stakes and construction of the pleachers can make it easier or harder for the heathering to follow! Hopefully when the remainder of the hedge is layed next season the lessons learnt will stand us all in good stead.

A good blog by Martin Harper illustrating the difficulty in having meaningful discussions on Conservation with people who won't accept rational argument when profit or privilege is at stake. In this case this concerns brood management, DEFRA  and sadly involves a conservation organisation which has lost the plot {bit like Botham}. Revealing piece by Wildlife Trust on the state of rivers inspite of stirling efforts by volunteers//trusts over recent years.

Hedging our bets 'Pleachers odds on' & 'Heathering a long shot'

In the beginning unruly shrub this side of old Sherborne brook

Other side of brook, RSPB scrape, 6 red kites appeared Thursday

To escape the frenzy of the Cheltenham Gold cup I spent most of this week, starting on a gorgeous sunny 'Ruby' Tuesday, with the Wildlife Trust in the Sherborne water meadows adjacent to the RSPB scrapes & up from Birch copse.  The work focussed on the  art of formal hedge laying  illustrated clearly by the following ref1 , ref2. My previous 'hedge' experiences have been with Mike {NT} and involve hedge planting and 'freestyle' hedge laying. Will, John and Richard led the first session with Richard acting as chief instructor.

'Before' state from RSPB scrape side, Birches copse downstream

Richard demonstrating angle cut and 45 degree bend

Before building the hedge along one side of the old Sherborne brook we had to first cut the existing willow, hawthorn shrubs back to the stock fence. The objective was to lay the new hedge along the pasture boundary and brook leaving the RSPB scrapes side open, promoting healthy growth of the new hedge and leaving a beneficial environment for water voles. It proved to be a rewarding experience albeit with some painful moments given the hawthorn barbs! To add to the experience on Tuesday a barn owl provided an exciting aside down by the Windrush, along with 2 healthy flocks of lapwings,  a buzzard and heron. Wednesday and Thursday offered up buzzards, hares, red kites, bullfinch, woodpecker, more lapwings and herons with white egret on the Broadwater along with the usual water fowl.

Support stakes in place, pleachers woven in-between and leaning upstream

View downstream, habitat water vole & bird friendly 

After state view, hedge taking shape

Clearance by impressive bonfire , still plenty left to do downstream

Over half of the hedge was completed onThursday aside from the 'heathering'. The remaining section would be completed probably next season but John, with chainsaw, completed some useful cutting back of the willow to the stock fence. Heathering would be carried out when material is available at a date to be set hopefully in the not too distant future. Needless to say the site was left in a tidy state and hopefully Mike will be suitably impressed when he returns from leave next week.

'Tour de Water Meadows'

Ok no bicycle or mountains or the likely 'Tour de France' winner Nibali But it was hot and I was carrying binos and 2 cameras! No volunteer action this week as both our Dark Knight and 'head Ranger' were on the sick list.

Not much room to land

Barn owls, Sherborne water meadows 

Arty shot of Sherborne buzzard

Red Kite over the Water meadows

After a couple of trips recently to Symonds Yat to see the Peregrines, which provided some great displays but disappointing pictures, I thought a survey of the Sherborne Water  Meadows was in order. I was fully armed with 'kit' which was ok at the beginning, before the sun burnt through the early cloud, but took its toll later on. It was pretty quiet all the way down to the water meadows until I bumped into Sherborne's shepherd and his friendly sheep dog. Enjoyed an interesting conversation which included a view of how well water management is performing {possible scope here for me to get interested & knowledgeable parties together to move things forward} and also the shepherd's 'spot' of otters today {I went to see of they were still around but no luck today}. However on my way towards the 'tin barn' I spotted an adult hare and then two magnificent barn owls which I managed to get a couple of half decent photos of. I left the owls to some peace and quiet as I made my way towards the Windrush and the boundary between Sherborne and Windrush estates.

More wildlife was on show with excellent displays from Red Kites and Buzzards. Wandering alongside the Windrush lots of Peacocks on show with some Red Admirals as well. Joining the butterflies were an assortment of damselflies not all of which I could identify. Not so good was the presence of ragwort which also showed itself at the top end of Picardy. I slowly made my way along the fisherman path by the 'cooling' Windrush with not much wildlife on show.  I eventually reached the bridge at the far end of Birch copse and headed back towards Century wood  & Northfield barn car park. Was pleased to see 50+ lapwing on the main pasture alongside the sheep which were clearly in relaxed mode {lying down} given the heat. So not a bad visit which ended with a quick look around the Broadwater which was fairly quiet with a couple of herons & the swan family on show.

Back from the Fens

Lambing in full swing at Sherborne

Early peacock in the sun

What is this and where is the plug

Weather sunny but fresh in Norfolk for my brief visit to pick up my new car and on the return journey I enjoyed a relaxing visit to Welney wetland centre where Marsh Harriers, lapwings, Avocets and Oyster catchers were amongst the birds on view. Missed seeing the hares who like the birds were breeding early this season.

As I also missed my normal Sherborne duties this week couldn't resist a visit to the Sherborne water meadows this Saturday and with the warmest weather of 2014 wasn't disappointed with the wildlife on show. Got off to a good start from Northfields car park with 3 red kites play fighting in the sky above the Broadwater with a buzzard looking down on them with interest. Couldn't mistake that spring is well underway as I took 'Sabrina way' down to the water meadows and witnessed lots of healthy young lambs in the upper pastures. Nearing Century wood five more Red Kite were flying in and around Picardy. Decided to take a right and head over to the Birches via the Gravel pits and discovered some freshly installed Solar panelled water pumps. Ground still soaked but navigable and the Sherborne brook running full hence the 'vortex' of water above. Although the 'lake' in the pasture by the brook and Birch copse had almost disappeared there were plenty of gulls along with a few lapwings. Disturbed a magnificent male stag with impressive antlers in Birch copse on my way to the bridge to allow me access to the river windrush. On a pleasant walk alongside the windrush was accompanied by brimstones, peacocks and tortoise shells plus plenty of bees! Again managed to disturb a couple of snipe,  spotted a reed bunting and then a tree creeper.  Was hoping to spot a hare or two as I wandered towards the 'hyde' area but was content with spotting a heron, a pair of canada geese and cormorants, 2 more buzzards, and a watchful sparrowhawk perched in one of the mature oaks.

Surprised that not more people were out on such a fine day but suits me and although not a rare sight it was good to see a number of chaffinches on show on my return back to Northfields. It was all about the lambs today though, how can you not be lifted by their presence.

In-between storms

levels in water meadows still rising!

Lapwings over the water meadows, near Birch copse

After a lot of wet and stormy weather since Boxing day, seized the chance to enjoy a fine day back at the Sherborne's water meadows, before the next storms hit us again! It was to be a good day for raptors with Kites, Kestrels and Buzzards out in numbers on what I guess to be a good day for hunting. Initially headed for the north eastern boundary of Sherborne estate and the 'hyde'. Lots of ducks, mallard mainly but spotted some teal, in the pasture/lake north of the 'hyde'. Intended to investigate the Windrush on the Northern/Eastern boundary but had to turn back in the direction of Leasow furlong as the water was too deep to cross over the 'lake' covering much of the pasture. This turned out to be a bit of luck as I spotted an unusual 'raptor' in the ploughed field bordering Leasow and the Commons. Couldn't decide what this raptor was, smaller than a buzzard but looked bigger than a sparrow hawk. Got a long distance picture but need to get ranger Mike's view {Peregrine looks but Female Hen harrier colour??}. Dropped in on the 'hyde' but water pretty deep and overlapped my wellingtons once I stepped off the bridges.

Decided to head over to Barrington estate ever hopeful of spotting an owl and again water levels by Windrush bridge were very high. No owls on show but was treated to some good sights of Red kites, Herons and cormorants in the Birch copse area. Even better was treated to an impressive fly by of  lapwings {need to click on picture} before they finally settled down , alongside lots of gulls, in the water meadow just before Birch Copse on the Sherborne side of the Windrush. Good job my leg seems to be much better as it was hard work wading and diverting around the flooded tracks and pasture. Finished the day with a spot of a grey wagtail, brambling,  several fieldfares and yet more buzzards {in the air, walking on the ploughed field and perched in the trees on the borders of Picardy}. Well worth getting out today and for January pretty warm. Only slight disappointment, aside from no owl sightings, was the absence of any hares which I have been usually able to spot in this area. If this wet weather persists may have to consider bringing a canoe on my next visit to Sherborne Water meadows!.

A Christmas paddle!

Stormy weather sadly took out top of oak on the left of track!

Being a little fed up with the stormy weather of late and carrying a slight injury to my leg I seized the chance on a frosty, sunny xmas day to get some fresh air! Where better than Sherborne water meadows where its fairly flat and offered me the chance of seeing if any short eared owls might be around. Luckily I thought to take my wellies although waders may have been more appropriate as it turned out.

The beginning of my walk was a little sad as one of the fine oaks on the track down to the Water meadows had succumbed to storm damage, something which will no doubt have to be tidied up in the new year. I decided to take the track through Picardy and Commons towards the Water Meadows and was immediately greeted by a small herd of Roe deer. Already the ground was decidedly wet and  for the first time I was forced to go over a bridge as the main track was lost under deep water.  As I entered the Commons I came across 2 more Roe deer {mother and young} and just before the Water meadows I disturbed a large buzzard { the first of 6 I came across} which had just caught a field vole for brunch!.   Almost immediately a large heron { 3 in all today} took off in front of me and as I came to the actual water meadows  there were a dozen pied wagtails and the same number of lapwings enjoying the flooded meadow area. In fact all the ditches and water courses were full to the brim or had overflowed. As I headed over to the Windrush and the bridge between the Sherborne and Barrington estates I saw the first of 6 red kites. The Windrush  too was full or overflowing and only a couple of inches below the bridge which to my surprise seems to have lost the new gate the Barrington estate had erected this year!

Birch copse, difficult to see edge of Windrush, track on right

Lake formed by side of 'Sherborne brook' and Birch Copse

Made my way down the fisherman's path by the Windrush and headed towards Birch copse.  This proved to be quite a challenge as both the Sherborne brook and Windrush had burst their banks and created a 'Bayou' like terrain. Got a bit wet wading towards the bridge which would allow me across the Sherborne brook and in the water logged pasture the other side saw several red kite , black backed , common and herring gulls plus a flying V of canada geese. Paddling towards Gravelpits copse and the 'footpath' I spotted a green woodpecker followed by a kestrel {1 of 3 in the day}. Finished the days walk following the main track back out of the Water meadows and was pleased to see several goldfinches and greenfinches in the hedges bordering the track. To complete a fine day I spotted 2 fine looking buzzards hunting over Northfield copse.

A small footnote as Boxing day was looking good I couldn't resist a visit to Slimbridge. Was impressed with the thousands of lapwing and golden plover who provided spectacular flight displays in-between  their feeding sessions.

While the cats away...

Water meadows, working 1 field along to the right

Mike still on leave but surprisingly found myself back at Sherborne Water Meadows carrying out habitat improvements with the Wildlife Trust (note their CAP message) today.  Its my first outing with the 'living landscape programme' Cotswold rivers team {excellent video of what they are about}. We were to meet at the Northfield Barn car park and I was taken aback by the turn out. 16 volunteers and 3 Wildlife Trust officers {TIm - living landscapes, Richard - ecology, John - water voles} which I was told was a record and possibly influenced by the glorious weather, can't blame anyone for taking advantage.

The habitat work was a continuation of previous good work by the Wildlife Trust volunteers and   contractors {with heavyweight machine} down in the vicinity of the 'old' Sherborne Brook and a water course, by Birch copse, running parallel to the Windrush river. No power tools today but strictly manual cutting using large pruning saws and loppers clearing the fence lines and water course bank to allow more light exposure. It was muddy but the water levels back to normal so acceptable conditions. Its amazing how much can be done with so many people, so although not complete much progress made and some impressive piles of brash to add to the not inconsiderable piles already existing. Plan is when wildlife conditions permit to lay a new hedge down one of the fence lines.

Was good to see the local wildlife was out and about in spite of our small army and with so many eyes there wasn't too much that slipped by without notice. So Red Kites, Buzzards, 1 Cormorant, 1 fox and 5 Fallow Stags with impressive antlers starred at the lunch break.  No willow tits seen but it seems some of the specific willow tit boxes made & installed by Wildlife Trust volunteer have seen some activity.  Also spotted were 2 otter spraint, I refused the offer to smell either, but its good to know river otters are present in this area. The 'vole' officer John with us pointed out what may have been water vole tracks so quite a healthy sign for wildlife in general in these parts and overall a good first introduction to working with the Wildlife Trust. 

It must be spring

Pleasure Ground 

Ended the day by stopping off in Sherborne and viewing the spring flowers in the Pleasure Grounds, even spotted the local Heron back in its spot on Sherborne Brook.