Branchlines July/Aug Updates

 

UPDATE. Rain finally arrived at the end of May to revive the parched land. We are hoping the smaller ponds will refill, although the main pond is doing well and buzzing with dragonflies. It seems to have been a good time for beetles too! – we saw a lovely specimen of a black and yellow longhorn beetle on an ox-eye daisy. 

The dry spell did allow some early mowing in selected areas. We will be adding an early summer cut in some places as well as the usual late summer hay cut.

 

Thank you to those who supported our annual quiz last month. I hope you enjoyed it.

 

MOTH EVENING. An expert on the many different species of moths is to carry out a Moth Trapping Exercise at Old School Wood. Probable lighting-up time for the traps is around 9.40pm. There will be a preamble from 9.00pm on the 160 or so species of moths already found in the wood. Some of the Hawk Moths are especially beautiful with wingspans as large as 6cm.  If the traps are left in situ overnight it will be possible to return to Old School Wood on the morning of Friday 18th July to see what has been trapped.

 

WORKING PARTY. Saturday July 26th. Meet 9.30am by the benches along the main track at the wood. Bring a drink for the 11am refreshment break.

Tasks may involve raking or work on the new chalk bank. If the weather is fine, we may take part in the ‘Big Butterfly Count’.

 

HAY DAY. Saturday August 23rd. Meet 10am in the churchyard or church meadow. The car park opposite the church will be available.

We will be raking up the hay cut earlier that week to encourage wild flowers. This is a combined task for the community woodland meadow and the churchyard. We will supply the hay rakes and we hope the usual tractor will be there to help move the hay. Refreshments available.