Mink Rafts and Marshmallows!

Newly constructed Mink rafts have been put out at key places around the reserve to help monitor for Mink. The rafts contain a clay pad inside a tunnel. As the animals are very curious, if they were passing by, they would most likely venture through the tunnel leaving their footprints behind. It is important to check for their presence in order to protect the Water Vole population at the reserve. The Mink in Britain are not native, they are American ones that originated from those brought here for fur-farming.

On their last visit before the Christmas break, a small group from the Northallerton Personalised Learning Centre made food for the wild birds. They left some of it at Foxglove where it won't last long! Their support is appreciated and we wish all of the staff and young people a Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing them in 2021!

Work continued in the coppice block; cutting back Willow and removing Silver Birch. Volunteers enjoyed a well earned break by toasting marshmallows on the bonfire. Much of the wood from here is being made into woodchips now too.

Here's Gerry testing out a 'smore' after a shift on the woodchipper!