Just in case readers are in need of a little bit of NCV news with which to start the new year, this blog entry has been put together from the various photographic contributions of the group. Whilst no official Tuesday AONB volunteering happened during December, environmental work has still been carried out by individuals.
Let's take a look at what they have been doing.....
- Footpath surveys have continued
New recruit, Karly, surveyed the Scarhouse circular path
and undertook a bit of impromptu sign cleaning.
Ros E surveyed the Kingfisher Trail from Darley to Dacre Banks.
There were three sections of the trail noted which were badly
affected by flooding of the Nidd in February.
Ros K. checked out the Fountains Abbey to Markenfield path.
She found a number of missing waymarkers, broken stiles and...
... a good deal of MUD! This is a common feature of
all the footpaths in the area at the moment.
Julia and Dave surveyed the Aislabie Trail. This is a long one so had to be done in three sections.
- At Azerley Grange
Ros K and husband Nick did an amazing job on the first day.
They worked from 9am until dusk and 100s of trees were dealt with.
Nick looks like a promising NCV candidate.
How abut it Nick??
An impressive start in poor weather.
On the final day 5 other NCVs turned out, in the pours of rain,
and managed to plant the 400 remaining trees by lunchtime.
Before and after.
Andrew kept hitting stones.
So did everyone else - slit planting was not always possible.
These two planters remained cheery,
in spite of the rain dripping off their noses.
- In Hackfall Woods
Spot the drain blockage.
What blockage? The footpath is now draining.
On the subject of Hackfall - Paul reported that the new car park is now complete!
David M. has also found time to plant some trees near to his own house to provide a wildlife friendly break between properties.
The planting of rowan, wayfaring, dog rose, dogwood and crab apple
will soon turn this bare grass bank and fence into a fruity paradise for birds.
Well done David!!
- Down in the Nidd Gorge
Phil, also moonlighting as a Woodland Trust volunteer,
was snapped removing defunct tree tubes in the Nidd Gorge.
- High Batts Nature Reserve
at one of the reserve's 'Muck In Mornings'.
- Back at the NCV barn
Liz made a start on the refurbishment of the pizza oven structure.
It was suggested to her that she leave the rest
until we can all get back to work.
That's just too much hard core for one woman to shift!!
- Some sights for sore eyes
Julia and Dave were out recording veteran trees when
they came across this fine example of woodland
management near Copt Hewick.
Let's zoom in on that log pile shall we?
Perhaps it is an art installation?
It puts our log piles to shame!
And there was another!
What patience this woodcutter must have.
Birds of prey sightings are always a bit special - Tony hit a jackpot of three, the sparrow hawk seen from the comfort of his living room. The kestrel and the kite were snapped on Pateley Moor.
"Maybe if I sit here long enough he will offer me a mince pie?"
"I wouldn't hold your breath. I sat and watched him while he
ate his packed lunch and he didn't even offer me the
crust off his turkey buttie."
"I think I'll try putting on a an aeronautical display.
Sitting around just doesn't seem to impress ornithologists these days."
Over the Christmas period there was a touch of snow and some lovely sunshine, as these photos show....
Julia and Dave saw this view from the Scarhouse path on Christmas day.
It beats looking at a mound of sprouts waiting to be peeled!
Tony went to the North York Moors for a festive drive.
Here's Sutton Bank looking gorgeous.
And finally - be on the lookout for signs of spring!!
Just in case any readers are going to be taking part in the Woodland Trust's 'Nature's Calendar' project (click HERE if you are interested to find out more), you need to be on the lookout for those extra early signs of spring. I have chosen elder as one of the species I am intending to record and spotted a tree already bursting its leaf buds last week. Luckily it wasn't the particular elder tree I had earmarked to record, so I haven't missed the all important date, but it was only a 10 minute drive away. Ros K and Anita have also spotted some too early signs of spring - aconites in flower and daffs bulbs already poking through the soil. Climate change is really making its presence felt. Let's hope that these early arrivals aren't ruined by a cold snap.
So - that's 2020 wound up.
Due to the latest tier announcements the NCVs won't be working on a Tuesday for a while yet. Let's hope that we all get vaccinated before long and that volunteering in 2021 can soon resume some kind of normality .
