1st April
Electric fence activated, ponies moved down to Crag/Wetland/Scrub. Lots of chiffchaffs; long-tailed tits near Meadow; mallard drake on Wetland. A hare ran past us on the drive down from the bottom gate, heading west. Flower survey carried out. Tasks list compiled.
2nd April
Drama last night! Holly (field neighbour) called at home to tell us the ponies had managed to get through the electric fence and were racing up and down the Orchard. By the time we arrived they were feeding peacefully on the spoil heaps. This morning we added a second strand of tape to the fence, retrieved the ponies and we wait to see what happens.
First beehive inspection of the year and both hives queen right with eggs and larvae. Pat has given us some Holly seedlings. Mallard duck and drake on Wetland pond.
3rd April
Massive planning session in which we listed all the jobs we could think of that needed doing all over the site - it was very long and daunting! Horse Chestnut planted S edge of Pit Wood; wildflower seeds from conference sown in Meadow; drainage pipe removed from below spring; survey of northern boundary to assess work needed; partial logging of Christmas tree ends in Pit Wood; Rhododendron removed from Pit Wood.
12th April
Andrew came and harrowed the Top Grazing.
13th April
Heron seen flying onto and off the Wetland by the centre pond.
17th April
7 Crab Apple saplings planted in Orchard - all grown from local Crab Apple pips by Clare.
19th April
Spindle Trees now protected. Small bank of Violets in Wetland near Pit Wood edge. Treecreeper and Barn Owl spotted in Pit Wood. Bullfinches still around willow warblers arrived.
20th April
12 of Pat's Holly seedlings planted in Top Strip. Cowslips out in Top Strip and Violets in Wetland.
22nd April
3 Oaks (grown by Clare from acorns) and a Yew sapling from Pat planted in Pit Wood and some Opposite-leaved Saxifrage. Bonfire in Orchard now built and Orchard dead wood tidied up. Definite nesting activity in box on Orchard, in 2 and 3 in Scrub and in boxes in the Top Strip.
24th April - 2nd May
Digger delivered - land drains put in across top entrance and 2 in arena. Rush dug out all over top grazing.
Membrane and chip added to new section of path at west end of Top Strip and weeding completed. Heron on wetland middle pond.
Spindle trees now as deer proof as possible
Violets on the Wetland
Delighted to see this visitor
Step carefully over this stile
A bonfire short of a party
More path work