Rabbits, Ponies and Beetles
9th May 2023
I've been away cycling in France for 2 weeks, so I expect lots of nature surprises today.
The twayblade orchids are holding up well, although there is some sign of rabbit and slug grazing. Rabbits nip off flower stalks and then spit them out. This prevents the flower and seed from developing, but at least it can regrow from its tuber and hopefully flower next year. The common spotted orchids are also developing flower stalks, so we may have a good show come June.
I check on the leaky dams at the top of the valley. All look in good condition, although they are not holding back as much water as previously. Collecting silt, derived from the sandstone geology on the hill top, which is more porous than the clay sediment accumulating behind the dams lower down the valley, which sit on clay rocks.
It is now time to carry out the latest botanical survey of Bat Park. I've been recording four 2x2 metre squares since 2018, to see which plants grow on this area of leveled ground. Two of the squares were originally enclosed with chicken wire to keep out the rabbits. These are now open, with the two previously open areas now enclosed. Unsurprisingly the previously enclosed areas have since been nibbled down by rabbits to a short turf, whilst the newly enclosed ones are doing much better from the switch. The short turf gives quite a different habitat from ungrazed grassland and at least we don't need to mow it!
One of the beneficiaries is the green tiger beetle. I found one in the heathland area adjacent. The vegetation and soil in this area was badly burned some years ago, so we transplanted 2cm plugs of heather from an area of mature growth. Now the transplants are 30-40cm across.
The 12.20 lunch bell rings, so I join the others and update Jake on my observations, over a bowl of soup.
In the afternoon I walk down to check the lower wood. It is a riot of bluebells at this time of year. Bluebells are very slow to spread, so are a good indicator of ancient woodland. We know there has been woodland on site for several hundred years from the massive coppice stools behind Under Oak Camp. Some have a girth of 5 or 6 metres.
The new ponds are still holding water, much to the approval of the rapidly growing tadpoles. Please don't throw sticks into the pond or build bridges here though as it disturbs the pond life we are trying to encourage. Ideally no one will go in this area until the project is completed.
The woodland below is also holding back lots of water and should eventually turn to wet alder carr. I disturb a bank vole, which scuttles like a hamster for the cover of a nearby stump.
On my way back up the valley I sit on a bench and enjoy the birdsong and tap out my thoughts. The sound of hooves and wheels announce Ree and Ged's approach. With their 2 horses Moogle and Jack, they are extracting timber from the wood to complete Dan's new bridge. The use of horses is great for the wildlife since their ecological footprint is much lighter than a tractor's (Ged and Ree are quite light on their feet too).
Everything looks in good order in the woods. I can hardly wait to see what's new next week. Until then it's au revoir.
