This week I have had 3 students from King Edward VI High School for a weeks work experience. I decided to give them a project to plan and execute over the week.

The project I gave them was to make and install gates at two points on the reserves boundary. These will allow us to more easily move materials in and out different parts of the reserve.

Thomas, Jake and Fin, with the supervision of myself and John Bell, managed to produce and install a couple of great looking gates.

After a couple of days work they produced the larger middle gate:-

Then onto the southern gate:-

The finished gate:-

Well done guys a job well done!

I have been learning to install windows (self taught) and, as long as you don’t look too closely, Im quite happy with the result.

I have put in a full length window in Vera’s shed to enable any wheelchair users that visit the site can have an unimpeded view of Woggle Water Pond.

My 4th Morpeth Scout friends have been at work this week with three separate visits to work on the nature reserve paths and also to do a bit of nature watching.

I thought I would just post a few pictures of the various youngsters appearing now on the reserve,I hope they are of some interest!

Clarks Bog welcomed on site the Princes Trust’s latest participants over the last two days. We have had a group of 10 youngsters doing a variety of jobs on site. Day 1 we had a mini competition between two teams to see who could build the best insect hotel.

On Day 2 there was a bit of painting and 10 new bird boxes put up.

Well the guys and gals came back to finish off a bug hotel and do some signage. I attended their graduation ceremony with John Bell at the end of last week and the crew kindly presented me with a sign for the front of the reserve. Thanks to them.

Our first Roe Deer fawn of the season was born, on the reserve, on Monday around 2pm. Mother and fawn seem fit and healthy.

Many thanks to Mat Storey (Storey Engineering of Hepscott) who made a fine job of welding back together my much battered and abused four wheel barrow. A bit of kit we’d be lost without but is now back in action following Mats skilled repair.

We have just put the final touches to the ‘Contemplation Corner’ observation point, with homage to Game of Thrones we now have our own throne on which to view the reed bed comings and goings!

Here’s a couple of regular furry visitors helping themselves to our bird feed!