Rather damp working party

Yesterday's working party didn't start off too well, as despite all meteorological predictions, 16 intrepid volunteers were treated to a few heavy showers, interspersed with rain of varying degrees of nastiness. However, after a while it cleared up and the sun even struggled out. The brisk wind helped dry us out, if not the ground, which had got pretty squelchy. Nonetheless, we managed to cut the central area where the cotton grass and orchids grow so went away feeling damply pleased.The new tea and coffee making facilities are a big hit, and keenly sought out, as illustrated below:

Chairman John's message follows:

Hello All

Apparently we are still in drought but if the Director of the Met. Office would like to visit Southrepps Common soon, I wonder if he would still be so sure!  This morning's team deserves to feel especially proud of themselves; first for just getting out of bed and then for achieving such a fine result.  We are well on the way with this season's work now.  Thank you everyone, your next chance to romp in the hay (only joking) is Sunday 5th February at 9:30am.

Regards

John

First working party of 2012

And it turned out to be a very productive one. Twelve good people and true turned up in lovely bright weather - not too hot and not too cold. We were very productive, getting all of the part of area G south of the boardwalk cut. This has usually taken at least one and a half sessions, so our techniques in using the magnificent cart appear to be working well.

I intend to take more photos of working parties, but today this after the event picture will have to suffice.

Here's John's message:

A big thank you to all who helped to make such a fine start to the new year this morning .

Really, on such mornings it's a  pleasure and privilege to be out there and what we acheived speaks for itself of a fine team effort.  Next opportunity to join the team is on Saturday, 21st. January, same place starting at 9:00am.

 

Best wishes

John

New Year, new project

A glorious day to start my observations for 2012. Cool, yes, fresh, yes - but a beautiful clear blue sky and a bright sun. The sun lit a pair of male bullfinches magnificently at the edge of School Common.

I've started a new project for the year, to take record photos from 16 different vantage points around the common. The aim is to take pictures from exactly the same positions once a month, and I started today. We hope that this will provide a good record of how the common looks at each month of year, and the extent to which invasive species such as Alder are affecting the site. Here's an example: