We've just had one of our woodland art walks ( courtesy of the good folk at the local Woodend Artists collective ) where we follow a trail through Dove Stone's woods, collecting a small number of leaves from a number of trees such as Sycamore, Alder, Birch, Rowan & Oak ( as an aside, apparently oaks can support 400+ species of invertebrates - amazing ), to name just a few of the broadleaf trees at Dove Stone. From these we then go on to make extraordinary leaf prints. What's good about the art walks is that they lend themselves to looking at and learning more about some of the trees that we have at Dove Stone up close, in detail and in a way that you might not ordinarily do. From a print you really get to see just how intricate leaves really are.
For anyone interested in seeing more of these beautiful prints take a look at some of Jacqui's work here : http://www.jacquisymons.co.uk/Gallery%20Printmaking.html
Woodland management is just one part of the habitat enrichment work at Dove Stone that goes on and we're going to be having regular postings soon on this and other habitat work undertaken by our wardens and their crew of hardworking vols. It's not all sitting around eating cake from what I hear !
Back to the walks. We''ll be having another Woodland Art Leaf Print Walk on Saturday June 16th. If you'd like to come along then check out our events listings page for details. This week however it's the return of the guided Bog Bodge. We do like a good bodge about on the bog. Taking a route up the side of Chew Brook we'll be heading up to Chew Res before going over to Featherbed Moss. On the way we'll be looking out for Dipper and Grey Wagtail, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Stonechat, Raven, Common Sandpiper, Red Grouse, Mountain Hare and Golden Plover to name just a few regulars to be seen at Dove Stone. The blanket bog is a fascinating habitat with its bog pools and Cotton Grass and plants such as the carniverous insect-eating Sundew. This walk is really about finding out a bit more about blanket bogs and why they're so important. It's also a chance for us to talk a little bit about the work we're doing to protect these places and the remarkable wildlife that they support. So. It all starts at 10am on this Sunday from the main carpark. Here's the bit you really need to know though: sturdy walking boots, warm clothes and waterproofs. Seriously. It's quite a strenuous route too. Full details on the events pages.
Elsewhere around Dove Stone this week there have been good sightings of our regular woodland birds up at Binn Green with Jays, Mistle Thrush, Willow Warblers, Treecreeper as well as Coal, Great and Blue Tits and some incredibly bright looking Greenfinches - worth taking a look through some bins at.
More soon, including an update on what's happening with the Peregrines...