August 2024 Catch up

 A quick walk around the Reserve on the morning of 17th August 2024. 25C.

View West showing the entrance path onto the reserve.


Now onto the floodplain and the start of the boardwalk.

The main path off to the right with a good variety of wild flowers. The path is in the middle somewhere!

The Reed Bed Pond with a Moorhen calling.


Where we recently had to clear a fallen Willow.


The wet woodland at the north end of the Reserve showing regeneration of the Osiers that we cut to make the Water Vole Viewpoint.



The backwater with a heavy growth of the water weeds and bankside vegetation including masses of Himalayan Balsam, mostly on the other bank.


Where we made the 'leaky dam' in the Winter, now heavily overgrown.


                                          

The Indian or Orange balsam, now making its appearance.


There has been a splendid show of Marsh Woundwort.


The path through the wood has remained largely open due to the efforts of volunteers but the Himalayan Balsam keeps reappearing in spite of our efforts to put it up and cut it down.


Footprints showing that at least one large Fallow deer has made its way through the reserve.


One of the ditches, still retaining water but largely stagnant.


We were unable to cut and clear this area last winter because flooding started very early in the work season. We hope to be able to cut it this year in early autumn as it benefits from having the overburden removed.


Speckled Wood butterfly sun basking and beautiful emerald green beetle.



The ponds in Valet Homes Wood.


Red Darter Dragonfly and Banded Demoiselle damselfly as well as large female Bush Cricket.




Alec Martin Pond.









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