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.

Northern Power Grid paid a visit to the reserve this week, to replace a sixty year old transformer.

Unfortunately my path was destroyed, I’m hoping, having spoken to them, that they will be returning to reinstate my path!

There are still territorial battles going on across the site, below are some pictures of two of them. The first is a couple of Speckled wood butterflies fighting it out:-

The other battle was between a couple of Southern Hawker dragonflies:-

No winners, no losers but tricky to get a decent photo!

Here are a few pictures from the month of August:-

It’s been talked about for a while but now it’s nearly a reality, I’m talking about my fourth pond. I talked it through with Ross and Chris yesterday and boy did they deliver today. A very rapid conversion from meadow to pond.

Hats off to Andy the digger driver, despite the heavy rain last night he was digging the mud at 8am and had the pond probably 85% finished by 3pm. A bit of tidying up tomorrow and then its on to the path completion and pond overflow drainage to do.

I discovered our young cygnet has a liking for Jacob’s Cream crackers:-

Meanwhile Tiddles siblings are growing by the day:-

Hopefully they will not pick up her bad habits!