Strimming in the sunshine

It was a glorious sunny day on the reserve, leaves falling and autumn Thrushes crowding the bushes.

The task this afternoon was to cut and rake one of the meadows behind the Field Centre, which is a haven for wildflowers and orchids in the spring and summer. We have been waiting for all the flowers to set seed before cutting it, giving the seeds a chance to fall to the ground. 

The area was raked after being cut, which keeps the nutrient levels in the soil low, making it ideal for wildflowers and orchids. Higher nutrient levels would allow tougher grasses to thrive, which would outcompete the wildflowers. 

Small pockets of Heather were carefully avoided with the Strimmer.

One of the jobs this morning was to check all the Mink Rafts on the Beck, Wetland, Ponds, and Lake on the reserve. Not much was found as many were quite wet after last week-ends rain, but one did have a few bird prints, possibly those of a Moorhen.