Sunday 4th March 2017 - Work Party

It was a wet, and therefore rather shorter, work party this month but a good few hardy souls braved the rain to carry out regular maintenance tasks.

There was a bit of debris, from storm Doris last week, to clear from the paths and a fallen tree to make safe. The wood will left to add to the natural habitat.

Snowdrops which have finished flowering but are still in the green were planted to add to the growing display.

 Native wild daffodils and common primroses enjoying the rain.

Refreshments in the church porch!

February 5th 2017 Work Party

The sun burnt away the mist to leave a bright morning with sunny intervals,  perfect for a bit of woodland work.

 A large oak branch was safely brought down to let in more light, this is the halfway stage as it fell down.

The nest boxes, made by adults and children at a woodland group event in February 2013, were checked for use (only one used) and signs of damage. Just this one requiring repair. They will be left for another year and then their type and position reviewed.

A new tree creeper box was put up. It is visible from the main ride in the top right hand corner of the wood. The wire on the outside is to protect it from woodpecker damage while still allowing the tree creepers to hang on.This too will be monitored.

New rustic fence to encourage people to stick to the path!

While I was up the ladder checking bird boxes, I took the opportunity to take a few photos from a different angle.

Jew's ear fungus on hotel beetlejuice (logpile)

Also known as Auricularia auricula-judae, wood ear and jelly ear and other names.

The snowdrops are up and flowering, including the ones planted last year. Lots more to come!

January work party 8/1/2017

Welcome to the second year in the life of the Framsden Woodland Group blog. First of all we send condolences to Pat, and the rest of John's family,  on the loss of John Last since over new year and it was great that she felt able to come today. We have a lasting memory in the large number of foxglove plants which John helped to prick out.

Looking back to last January there were snowdrops out already where as this year not even a sign of them coming up.
We have had some cold weather this winter but today was mild and damp and lots of different jobs were completed. Leaves still featured on the programme with ditches being cleared, paths raked and foxgloves having the leaf mulch removed to allow for growth.

Before 

After!

Clearing leaves from the foxgloves.

 The stump displaying the award was put on a slab base and treated on the cut surfaces to prevent rotting.

All done!

Pruning a straggly hawthorn to control growth and let in a bit more light.

 Not much new growth to see at this time of year but a good selection of fungi.

Purple jellydisc fungus, Ascocoryne sarcoides. 

Sausages and beans courtesy of Glenn and Jeannie for refreshments, that will be a hard act to follow! Happy New Year!

Sunday 4th December 2016 - work party

A clear, crisp day with plenty of sunshine, perfect for a spot of leaf raking. Or a lot of leaf raking as it turned out!

A heavy fall of leaves meant that the grass on the paths would suffer if the leaves were not removed. So, with a selection of rakes, wheelbarrows and other containers, the whole team worked to clear the grassy paths and produce a sizeable heap to rot down into lovely leaf mold.

Result!

And by the time that was done we were ready for refreshments. The rest of the list will have to wait until next year! 

Just look how much the foxgloves have grown already.

Halloween 2016

The second annual pumpkin trail and marshmallow toasting around the fire pit took place on halloween, 31st October 2016. Even though it was a school night this year lots of people still turned out to enjoy a pumpkin lantern trail and refreshments round the fire. Many thanks to everyone that contributed to a lovely evening.

Work Party October 2nd 2016

Foxgloves - the saga continues!

Photo credit Flossie

 It was a chilly, bright morning after a spot of rain the night before. The foxgloves, previously pricked out and potted on were now big enough to plant out.

Foxgloves ready for planting

The last bits of bramble and nettle were cleared from the chosen areas and the pots set out to form suitable drifts. Then with a bit of team action, holes were dug, compost added, plants put in the hole and watered well, around 100 foxglove plants were added to the woodland flora.

Planting in progress

There was still a bit of wildlife about, the mouse family still in their nest area and a frog, toad, millipedes and slugs also spotted.

Raindrops by Flossie