This little chap/chapess came to see me yesterday, poor thing had a very gammy left leg and was hobbling around on three legs. Not sure if they will last very long unless it heals, poor thing, shame as they looked in good condition apart from the leg! They came and sat outside the hide keeping me company for 5 minutes.

Many thanks to the scouts of 4th Morpeth, their leaders and the parents that turned out this weekend to work on the reserve. They helped out on the observation mound at Contemplation Corner, transported and used reeds for screening at the Birds Eye view hide, and build me a nice raised bed at Veras shed.

I plan to post 4 views of the reserve at set points for each of the four seasons. So here are my four pictures for the Spring collection:-

Now here is the summer collection:-

My Autumn collection:-

Deerview Hide

Veras Shed

Contemplation Corner

Dunces Corner

Very proud of my first welding of a chainsaw! Splitting this old telegraph pole was tough but rewarding.

These made a nice edge for the reflection pool which is almost finished.

Fine example of a Violet Ground beetle, discovered while digging.

Yes the Princes Trust were back to help with another group of willing workers.

We continued the effort to build another observation platform. The guys provided some muscle to move a mountain of stone to build a retaining wall at the front and helped with the building of a pallet wall at the back.

Another mountain of stone was moved to the memorial bench so we can build a dry stone wall wind shield.

Becka helped me transport the reeds for the screen and also transported the chippings for the paths.

Many thanks to them all for their work and the Northumberland Fire service (Sean and Charlotte) for supervising.

Big hailstorm today over the bog but a nice rainbow at the end.

This fine chap was one of two Snipe that we ringed on Sunday.

We have a healthy little flock of at least 8 Snipe, which hopefully will be nesting on the reserve and produce some young.

What do you do with a mountain of composting woodchip?

What we do is build a woodchip burm to keep out our doggy friends from the adjacent dog walking route.

Time will tell if it will be effective but if nothing else it will provide habitat for insects and rodents (I hope).

Well not the furry variety but the 6th Morpeth beaver Troop.

They came along to lend a helping hand, so we gave them a team exercise. They helped to construct an observation platform overlooking the reedbed.

Many thanks to the youngsters, leaders and parents for there hard work.

Before

During

After