Tree Surgery

The final work to the dangerous Ash trees is being completed this week. Some of the large limbs that were overhanging trails have been removed. So far, it has all gone to plan and the pathways should be safe to walk along when the reserve re-opens on 12th April (If government guidelines allow).

One area that has been transformed is that surrounding the Outdoor Classroom. In 2010 it seemed like a great idea to build a wooden structure in the middle of an Ash woodland! Now however, with Ash Dieback causing a lot of deadwood to fall from these trees, it has been necessary to remove the ones next to the classroom for safety reasons. It's not all bad news though: this patch is great for Bluebells which will benefit from all of the additional sunlight reaching the ground. The tree pictured below is one of the last ones to be felled but there is still a lot of tidying to do.

Down on the beck, there was a welcome change from moving Ash logs and brash as a dam needed to be rebuilt to supply a pond with water. The water level had dropped as the dam was washed out and as a result the frogspawn was above the 'tide'. Once the dam had been repaired, the flow increased and the frogspawn was saved!

Firsts for the year:

1. A pair of Grey Wagtail were seen on Risedale Beck.

2. Chiffchaffs were heard singing.

3. Coltsfoot was out in flower.

4. It was officially 'T-shirt weather'!

5. Seven Spot Ladybirds were observed.

6. There was no singing from the tree surgeon!

We're not complaining about the last one!