October 2010

Autumn
Since our last update summer has come and gone and autumn is knocking on our door. Preparations are being made by our troupe of volunteers for the deluge of leaves which will keep them busy clearing the pathways for visitors. Collected leaves are put into leaf mould bins to rot away for two or three years and then bagged and sold to help fund Reserve project work.

Flora
Flowering Plants - The beginning of autumn brings the last of our flowering plants with Autumn Crocus (Colchicum) and Cyclamen giving a good showing this year. The summer saw our first real invasion of Ragwort and efforts were made to eradicate these by pulling all we could find, because they are poisonous to our grazing cattle. Other invasive plants being managed include Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam, which find their way onto the reserve. We also try to keep stinging nettles, brambles etc. under control, but they form good habitat for some wildlife so are left in areas where they are not a nuisance.

Trees
Raising the canopy around both ponds this summer will let in more light allowing those plants around the water’s edge to thrive better. Selective management of trees throughout the reserve continues and clearance work between the old Terrace and North Pond now gives a glimpse of what it used to be like in Ellen Willmott’s day.

Fauna
This year we have regularly seen buzzards flying above the reserve and more recently young birds, which may be a reflection why there hasn’t been so many rabbits seen during the summer months. There is evidence of much larger animals in the reserve and Muntjac Deer being the most likely. Although the deer is a shy animal a few sightings have been made by volunteers during the day and the hearing of scurrying in the undergrowth when we get too close to their daytime slumber.

This year’s intake of cattle for grazing got off to a tricky start with the cows seeing the Ha Has as a challenge worth taking on. Initially scaling the East Meadow Ha Ha and then deciding to have a look around the reserve before extending their outing into Dark Lane into and beyond. Lesson not learnt, a couple days later the West Meadow Ha Ha was scaled, but fortunately it was a Monday volunteers day when all at hand had 15 minutes of fame as cowhands and herded them back to the meadow.
Regular visitors may have notice the East Meadow Ha Ha excavations to make it deeper to prevent future attempts of escape. At the time of writing we were delighted to welcome a newborn calf to our reserve, born to one of the cows on the first of October.