New Equipment
Christmas has come early/late(delete as appropriate) to the reserve with the arrival of our new ArgoCat (see photo). While we try not to drive out onto the actual bog itself there are times when it is necessary, for example when we are moving dam pilings into place as part of re-wetting the bog.
Staff and volunteers admiring our new 8x8 ArgoCat
The new ArgoCat
We also have contractors on the reserve who are mulching some of the conifer blocks. This is basically like running a massive shredder through the trees and is part of the forest to bog restoration that we do.
Danni, Claire and Will looking at the results of Mulching
Staff and volunteers have also been testing one of the new Emergency Shelters. We can guarantee that in spring sunshine and light winds on the front lawn of the office the shelter performed perfectly! We are also confident however that in tougher conditions, such as sub-zero temperatures and driving rain or blizzards, that the Emergency Shelter will perform as required and keep us safe.
Will, Kirsty and Claire....all safe and well inside the Emergency Shelter!
Dipwells
Both staff and volunteers have been out again for the weekly measurements from the dipwells. For anyone who has never seen one of our dipwells they are essentially a bit of pipe with a pair of ladies tights over the end (Nothing kinky... just to act as a very fine filter!) The pipe is inserted into the ground and left there, with a small mesh cap on top to prevent vegetation falling in.
A volunteer or member of staff then comes along with a plastic tube that has measurements down it and blows down the tube until bubbles are heard, indicating that there is water in the dipwell. A measurement is then read off of the tube and recorded on a monitoring form. Reading dipwells like this allows us to monitor the watertable and we have dipwells in conifer plantations and on untouched bog so that we can make some comparisons.
Dipwell in one of the bog plots
While walking between dipwells on the bog I noticed a flash of movement at my feet as a common lizard dashed to get out of my way. One of our volunteers (and soon to be Information Assistant) Kirsty also reported lizards enjoying the sun today, basking on rocks. I managed to snap a couple of photos of my lizard in the heather and grass...
Common Lizard
Bloodsuckers!
We try not to think about them, and just thinking about them often makes us all start to itch, but it is that time of year again when that parasite we all love to hate becomes more active again...the TICK!
It occurred to me as I removed one off of my dog this morning that it is worth reminding people who enjoy the outdoors that it is really quite important to check yourselves regularly for these wee freeloaders and even more important that they are removed in the correct manner!! This means with a pair of fine tweezers or with tick twisters. DO NOT pull them off in any other way, or try to burn them or suffocate them. This might remove them but will almost certainly make them regurgitate their stomach contents back into you and increases the risk of infection and disease.
The tick I pulled off the dog this morning...I bet you've just started scratching!!
Next week (26th March – 1 April) is Tick Bite Prevention Week and you can find out more information on tick prevention and correct removal at the website www.tickbitepreventionweek.org
Remember: Ticks can carry diseases and should be removed correctly as soon as possible, but don’t let them spoil your enjoyment of the great outdoors!
<< THE END >>
Well the end of the winter as this weekend starts the official British Summer Time!! Remember to change all your clocks! To end this blog I though I would leave you with a couple of landscape photos across the reserve taken on the drive back to the office this evening.