A LOCKDOWN CATCH UP
As during Lockdown Number 1 this spring, the NCVs have not all been lounging around doing nothing. As you all know, that is not in their nature! There have been a few jobs done during the last month, albeit in ones or twos during the daily exercise allowance. At the very least they have been observing the natural world and enjoying what they have seen.
Let's see what has been going on.......
Honorary NCV, Harry, was first to get going.
After working hard at school he then went on to clear
all the leaves from outside the NCV Barn.
Thanks Harry!!
Not only that - he also helped his mum to clear all this debris
from a beck at Hackfall. It had been washed down by flooding.
Some of us have called for him to be given his own NCV uniform!
Jan has now finished the signs that will ensure people
passing, when we are working on tasks, are aware of who we are.
Nice one Jan!!
Tony has planted some blackthorn whips and 2 buddleias
in this rather muddy corner of his top field.
Once they get established it will be a much more wildlife friendly spot!
Tony also reports that he leant a hand at High Batts Nature reserve, repairing a track and working as a bird food chef. His signature dish is achieved by mixing 'fishy bits from the chippy with grain'. Hmm. I think that this recipe is strictly for the birds!
Andy, too, has been working with his young trees.
The problem of planting trees on a windy hillside?
There are always some that need some help.
Hopefully this crutch will help it to remain upright
until it is big enough to look after itself.
Having caught the litter picking bug whilst working up at
Gouthwaite Reservoir recently, Julia and Dave did the same
thing along the Harrogate Ringway Footpath, whilst out on their daily walk.
Although they didn't collect as much as they did at Gouthwaite,
they did find a good deal of rubbish.
Paul, living near Hackfall, used a couple of his daily walks
to mend one of the steps in the wood
and clear a slippery bridge of soggy leaves.
David M. also lives near the wood and cleared some steps
of leaves when he was enjoying his daily exercise one day.
Talking of steps - Andrew set about making a new set
in his garden so that he could get to his potting shed
without getting his shoes muddy.
Having sorted out that job he then beetled off to fill
in the pot holes along the track that runs past his house.
Ros E. and Brenda joined forces for their daily exercise allowance and carried out a Right of Way survey for the AONB whilst they were at it. They were allocated the Hartwith Heritage Trail. As they went along they noted down any issues they came across with the route 'furniture' and the trail instructions......
Which way? No visible trail marker. Now that's not very helpful.
Nor was the leaflet!
This was unfortunate as a couple of minutes later a large herd
of noisy cows (and a large bull) started following the two intrepid
NCVs down through the gorse where they thought they would be safe.
EXIT STAGE LEFT! QUICK!
Somewhat scratched and breathless, the pair continued.
A number of very wobbly posts were encountered along the way.
...and a bagful of plastic litter was collected.
Liz had reported that the footpath to Scott Gate Ash Quarry
at Sparrowhawk Farm was in need of some TLC.
There were leaves on the steps...
and lots of brambles needing trimming back.
So Tony and Ros E. took a morning's walk up there
and worked from either end (to ensure social distancing).
By lunchtime the path was much improved.
Four NCVs attended a Woodland Trust Zoom talk about the Observatree Project.
Some of them have now decided to become Observatree volunteers,
surveying tree health in the area.
(If you are interested, click on the logo above to find out more about the project
and access the wealth of tree disease materials available.)
Unfortunately this was one job that Anita was unable to do alone.
Can you believe that this was a brand new stock proof fence at the start of November?
Once the River Wharfe broke its banks and flooded across the fields 2 weeks later,
this was the result! The power of water is frightening.
Some photos of the natural world taken by NCVs whilst out and about.....
Dave L. caught this group (flotilla?) of lucky ducks
as they swam by in the tranquil waters of Fishpond Wood.
This eye catching Feathered Thorn moth was found by Anita, whilst
cleaning out the gents at the Bramhope Scout centre.
It was very well camouflaged on her yellow Marigolds.
Quite what it was doing in the loo we shall never know.....
(Red deer above, Fallow deer below)
This young buck was looking wistfully at the other two,
wishing his crown was a little bit more elaborate.
At Hackfall, Fountains Pond Liz found that this was just the place for a tranquil sit.
A pot of gold? No - the end of lockdown - for now!!
And a few pieces of special news:
Chris and Helen Neave have introduced a group of 6 Exmoor ponies to join
their herd of Belted Galloway cattle at Summerbridge Nature Reserve.
Ros E. caught sight of them one day. They were very friendly!!
The Make it Wild website states that
"These are our conservation grazing teams, performing a vital role in spreading wild flower seed, trampling the ground and maintaining paths through the gorse."
Liz got a new set of hot wheels for her birthday.
She is particularly pleased that she will no longer have to hire a van on a Tuesday.
But Liz - it is too clean and shiny to put muddy tools inside!!!!
The Pizza oven at the barn has finally collapsed, so Liz
is going to remove the rotting sleepers at the front of the base
and turn the structure into a roofed seating area for NCVs!
Guess where?
Answer - The Hackfall Woods car park!
It is currently being extended so there will be plenty of space
when we all turn up for a work day in future.
Well - that's it for the time being. We are not quite sure when the Tuesday tasks will restart but, when they do, the regular, weekly blog will, once again, be published.
