We have been working on a couple of small projects up near the new pond. One is putting a reed screen up to shield the pond and any wildlife on it from approaching visitors.

The other project was to improve access to the leaky dams by putting in some steps and a couple of little bridges.

A Grey Wagtail was on hand for quality control!

Following on from our exploits with the chipper we (Phil, Myself and Dave a Brad from Skill Mill) have continued our path laying.

I Also to make best use of our dead ash trees we are using them to line our new paths. Just as an aside I have been most impressed by my little electric Polaris, it’s a sturdy little beast, as shown below laden with 14 tree logs.

The tree trunks do make the paths look smart, in my opinion.

I have just completed a little side project that hopefully benefits the many passers by who walk the lane next to the reserve. There was a seat half way up the lane, that looks into the reserve, but was in poor condition. I used some donated logs and wood to replace the seat.

The seat has had the final part of its makeover. Thanks to Fiona for doing the plaque for me.

Having done a lot of coppicing and tree felling we had a lot of wood to dispose of, too much to leave as brush piles. So as we were in need of chippings for the paths I bit the bulletin and hired a wood chipper.

We got in a bit of a beast from Max Hire, this could chomp through logs up to 6 inches in diameter.

Many thanks to Phil, Dave and Brad for helping work our way through the wood piles.

The resulting chippings are being used for our new path to the new pond.

We had the pleasure of hosting a visit byAlnwick scout trip to day. They had a tour of the reserve and then we put them to work.

Northumberland County Council had kindly delivered a decent heap of wood chip and the scouts went to work putting this pile of wood chip on our path in front of Deer View hide. Phil and I had previously prepped the path using a chain link fence covered by weed suppressant

Chain link fence as support.

Meanwhile further into the reserve more path work was being done.

Even further in a bit of mud slinging was going on!

Big thanks to Gillian who organised the visit and to the scouts and helpers that worked pretty hard.

I decided that it would be a good idea to add a couple of leaky dams to the drainage ditch that runs next to the new pond.

So using our log and sheep fleece method I installed the 2 dams.

The theory behind the use of the fleece is that if you put the fleece in underneath the log it will act like a fine mesh. The silt and mud will be caught in the fleece and will seal any water leakage under the log. This will stop the log being washed out underneath, we will see over time if this works, so far so good.

I’m pretty pleased with the results and they were just finished before the heavy rain came!

I must give thanks to Sue for supplying the sheep fleeces, she farms in Northumberland. Sadly she was telling me that fleeces these days do not command a price they deserve and are worth very little.

Tiddles has just been going through a molt of her primary wing feathers. The new ones are growing in nicely and in a couple of weeks this should be complete. I’m hoping this will resolve her flight issues. I’m not sure if she will decide to leave us if this is the result. I think she knows she’s onto a good thing here getting fed every day!

After a bit of gentle persuasion Northern Power Grid made good their promise to repair our damaged path, Hurrah!

I’m happy with the job done.

After a bit of gentle persuasion Northern Power Grid made good their promise to repair our damaged path, Hurrah!

I’m happy with the job done.