work, rain, work, rain, work, rain.

In between the summer showers I finally got round to

fixing up the first raised bed for some late veg or fruit bushes.

Need to fill it with some manure, so I'll be out later covert,

ninja style to track down some cows.

Why have I decided to store my swiss cheese outside in a box?

Well, actually it's an insect hide - primarily for bees, but other squatters are welcome too.

Fruits are appearing left, right and centre!

Apparantly seeds and fruits are appearing about 4 weeks earlier than usual, which isnt surprising since the early spring bud burst. These cherries are taking on a lovely orange-red hue and if the birds don't get 'em, I'll be sure too.

work, rain, work, rain, work, rain.

National Bat Monitoring Programme 2007

The Bat Conservation trust has started up it's national bat counting survey agin this year and I have signed up to do a 'secret' colony to submit. It was a visual survey, which I aided myself by using a bat meter too to hear them coming when it got too dark to see.
The method was to select a known colony of bat, I chose Lesser Horseshoe, and arrive just before sunset to set up and then await the first bat emergence. This time was recorded and then each subsequent signting was noted...if bats returned to their roost then this was counted also, to be later subtracted from the emergence to gain the total....geddit??

There was a good show, about 16 bats in total...of which two I was unsure about (basically did not emit any ultrasound at the 109 kHz which picks up Lesser Horseshoes). They also put on a fantastic show above my head foraging for flying insects.

Prior to going to Europe I'll be conducting a more in-depth survey within a selected grid square to plan then walk a route. The idea is to create 'stop points' to then scan the area with the aid of a bat meter for any potential bats out on the town looking for a good time.

Should be interesting to navigate the route whilst dark, so I'd better eat my carrots!

What's a bat meter?? Have a look here http://www.magenta2000.co.uk/kits/bat-detector-mk2b.htm

National Bat Monitoring Programme 2007

Germany calling

I'm chuffed to bits to be offered a placement on the Leonardo Da Vinci (Grampus Heritage and Training) event in Germany at the Dübener Heide national park (fairly close to the Czech border). It's going to be month of sustainable woodland based education which will no doubt be of great enjoyment! I have to thank my tutor, Mark Malins for making me aware of the opportunity, cheers mate.

Here's some info from the site regarding the venture:

The wood festival will be the last weekend in July and to coincide with this event, Peter Kaiser (our principle host) is offering a 7 to 10 day long training / work experience action on 'forest art'. It will involve going to the forest to select a tree / log / wood, for making an art work, working with local artists (especially Wolfgang Köppe) and then positioning the artwork at a forest recreation site. The idea is to use sustainable natural products and make some sort of environmental statement or promotion.
The remainder of the content revolves around practical nature conservation in the Dübener Heide Naturpark, including heathland and forest management, working at a village arboretum, making interpretation boards and signs, working on school conservation projects, etc. There will also be the possibility to work on a local Agenda 21 type project, using local and natural materials to build heritage reconstructions (Saxon houses, etc.) to demonstrate sustainability.

Now, doesn't that sound great?!

As far as I can gather, there is still spaces available..check out http://www.grampusheritage.fsnet.co.uk/index.htm for more details.
It's not just Germany, but also Slovakia and the Czech Republic. There's also excellent opportunities for archaeology placements in Europe that don't just cover diggin' in da dirt but also cultural aspects too. The only criterea for applying is that you are currently a student (of any age, mind) that is envolved with environmentally based studies (current studies).

Germany calling

Skools out - time to tend again

Exams are over, college has finished for this first year, assignments are done (crack open the beer!) and in July I'll be off to Germany for a month thanks to a lucky placement on a woodland sustainability course...for free! Can't wait.

Since the hot spell and multiple showers the 'top field' has awoken with vegetation appearing quicker than I can cut it! Good job the species I want to thrive are doing so and the invasive nettles are limited to the edges which can allow the meadow grass in central areas to become properly established.

The pond is almost finished, just need to remove some of the sharper stones in the base, cover with a layer of sand and some old carpets, chuck the liner in and fill 'er up!
Then I'll not introduce anything just to see what will naturally colonise the area. It'll be good to establish a pond in the area as a network of pond is required for many amphibians (such as newts and frogs) to migrate to and from to breed and forage.

Ponds were once comon in the landscape and one could be found every 1 and a half miles or so, unfortunatly many were filled in at the turn of the last century to increase arable and livestock grazing areas.

The two veg plots are dug, one is covered to keep out the weeds for now, whilst the other is being reguarly turned untill July to then accept a large lad of seed spuds for a later autumn/winter crop....funny though, don't like spuds that much!

The bat box was taken over by blue tits earlier in the spring, but they built their nest and then buggered off. I shall leave it a while as I want the bats to come in, but am a bit concerned that there may be an unpleasant present left inside for me.

Bumper sun, bumper rain...bumper crop of gooseberries...they're growing well, and have never yielded fruit before due to be completely crowded out by brambles, which have now been dealt with.

Finally, the fallen apple tre was done for we thought, but it surprised us by budding, then flowering and now the fruit is growing well...strangely though only in an area of about two metres from the floor and not on the (now) top. New shoots are coming from the trunk, so it seems there's still a good fight left in the tree.

Skools out - time to tend again

Spot the pond.

Our first survey for Avon Wildlife Trust's Pondways newt scheme!
(That's Dave in the waders, scribbling away)

Alas, the bugger was very overgrown with no sign of any newts to be found, not even any eggs.
This was a neglected dew pond - which was originally dug for livestock to drink from. The building behind is an old pump house. This land is now a public area called Siston Common. We did find excellent plants suitable for newts to lay upon and with a bit of attention and clearing theis pond may become suitable habitat once again (I think the hunting potential might also be good).

Luckily, all was not lost - we found one solitary froglet, a couple of leeches and a water spider - species unknown!

We're guaranteed some Great Crested Newts at our next pond, which we'll survey in a few weeks time.

Spot the pond.