August 2010

The month began with another sighting of a female or juvenile House Sparrow on the fence near the LLP barn, followed a couple of days later by a male. Whether they bred successfully on site is still unknown but it would be nice to think they had.

On the 9th a Tree Pipit flew over the top field, calling frequently. A day later, a Wall Brown, the LLP’s fifth record of this species, was watched sunning itself on the slope above the office.

A Conservation Team work party fixed the camera posts that had been damaged during the year, and pulled Creeping Thistle from the orchard. Several of the apple trees have ripening fruit, a nice bonus in their first year.

On the 11th a site record 34 Common Blue were recorded in Week 20 of the Butterfly Transect.

Despite the rain this month, which has improved the grass yield, the ground is still really dry and there are still several patches where the bedrock is close to the surface where the ground is quite barren.

July 2010

On the 1st, the Grand Raffle Prize-winners had an LLP tour in the afternoon, then watched the ringing of the local Barn Owl brood. A male and then a female Beautiful Demoiselle were seen around the lower pond. Later that day the much-needed rain arrived with 8.6mm recorded, the first significant rain since 7th June.

The next day, Grahams Garden machinery, based in Truro visited with a Field and Brush Mower to demonstrate its ability to cut scrub from the problem slope in Corner Wood. Having decided to buy the machine, the slope was subsequently cut over 7 man hours when previously it had taken nearer 30! The machine will also no doubt facilitate the cutting of the vegetation in Forde Orchard, which will be done in late summer once the wild flowers have gone to seed as per our Conservation Plan Agreement.

The Bracken and Creeping Thistle patches in the fields were topped mechanically on the 5th. At the same time, a new species of plant for the LLP in the form of a Knapweed sp. was recorded along the roadside boundary and several new patches of Hedge Bedstraw were observed around the field. The fruit trees also got another manual watering on the same day.

Week 14 of the Butterfly transect revealed a site record 95 Marbled White (plus another 12 in Forde Orchard), 12 Small Skipper, 19 Small Tortoiseshell, 6 Comma and 40 Ringlet. Despite the disastrously poor summers of 2007, 2008 and 2009 for butterflies, the fantastic spring and early summer weather this year seems to have aided something of a much-needed recovery in the LLP.

On the 9th, the once-troublesome slope by Corner Wood was finished off with the new brush mower in record time.

The following week more conservation work included pulling the remaining Bracken and Creeping Thistle from the slope opposite the office. The last of the Bracken in Forde Orchard was brushcut, as was the area around the scrub clump on the way to Corner Wood above Riverbank Wood.

The contractor arrived on the 26th to sort and transport stone to the site of the wildlife tower, and he dug the foundation trench at the same time.

A couple of days later the annual grazing commenced with 8 heffers and a cow being brought on by our grazier. The same day, another contractor started excavations at the site of the proposed new meeting room and progress has subsequently been swift. All that now remains is to find the funds for its construction, so any contributions would be much appreciated.

A new Sedge was found on the slope above the office but hasn’t yet been specifically identified

June 2010

On the 4th the fruit trees had another manual watering and on the same day, the various patches of nettles were topped by tractor. Pond fauna included 7 male Broad-bodied Chasers Libellula depressa and a male and female copulating with 4 exuviae in the water, also Common Backswimmer Notonecta glauca, Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum and either Azure or Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura/Coenagrion sp.

Butterflies recorded during Week 11 of the butterfly transects included 1 Painted Lady, 1 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Large Skipper, 2 Large White, 2 Green-veined White, 12 Common Blue, 7 Mother Shipton moth, 4 Silver Y moth, 1 Speckled Yellow moth, with 1 Dingy Skipper and 1 Small Copper just outside the area in Forde Orchard.

On the 14th, a Barn Owl was again observed hunting over the field, and has been doing so every evening between 8.30-9.00pm for about a fortnight.

The next day 50+ Swifts were seen catching insects over the field before flying off to the west.

The 16th saw another C.T. Work Party. The nettles were pulled in Forde Orchard and then pulled Bracken from the slope above the barn as an experiment. Hundreds of Garden Chafer beetles were seen (Phyllopertha horticola) as well as loads of Orthoptera, including young Great Green Bush Cricket (Tettigonia viridissima). Also lots of froghopper larvae in cuckoo-spit on the Creeping Thistle.

With no significant rain for ages there has been far less grass growth than in previous years and in some areas where the soil is thin the grass paths have turned brown. The foxgloves are almost over now and the mallow is in bloom. We have small apples on several of the new trees in the orchard.

The few new shoots that had managed to sprout from the ‘dead wood’ Sycamore in Forde Orchard were cut back on the 17th.

By the 21st the first Marbled White had been seen at lunchtime in beautiful weather and proved to be the forerunner to a remarkable year for this species (see below).

A visiting group of 6 arrived for an LLP tour on the 22nd, during which time 4 Marbled Whites were seen in the continuing fine, sunny weather. The same day, Week 12 of the butterfly transects recorded 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Marbled White, 35 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet, 2 Large Skipper (1 of which was seen laying eggs on Bracken), 10 Small Skipper (2 of which were mating on Bracken) and 4 Holly Blue. Other invertebrates recorded at the same time included Hornet Hover-fly, Emperor dragonfly, Broad-bodied Chasers, Common Blue Damselflies mating, Golden-ringed Dragonfly Cordulegaster boltoni and possibly a Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata perched on vegetation in Lurge. Plants flowering included Cut-leaved Crane’s-bill Geranium dissectum, Perforate St. John’s-wort Hypericum perforatum, Hemp-agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum, Fat-hen Chenopodium album, Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis, Musk-mallow Malva moschata, Enchanter’s-nightshade Circaea lutetiana, Fumitory Fumaria sp. and Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca. Later on the same day, the fruit trees got another manual watering due to the hot, dry weather.

Marbled White numbers had risen to 35 by the 28th with 35 Meadow Brown and 9 Small Tortoiseshell (plus 3 Small Skipper, 4 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Common Blue in Forde Orchard). Common Restharrow Ononis repens was in flower in Kiln Close.

May 2010

On the 4th, two goldfinches flew out of North Park hedge whilst 3 buzzards patrolled low over the top of the field. Hundreds of St. Mark’s-fly Bibio marci were on the wing and mating on grass leaves. The following species were in flower; Crosswort Cruciata laevipes, Bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus in Kiln Close, Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens in North Park, Pink Campion Silene dioica, Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Germander Speedwell, Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum, Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata, Daisy Bellis perennis, Field Forget-me-not Myosotis arvensis, Thyme-leaved Speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia, Common Cornsalad Valerianella locusta, Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata, Winter-cress Barbarea vulgaris, Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa and Sweet Vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum.

A couple of days later at least 3 male Orange-tip and 2 Green-veined White were in North Park/Forde Orchard. Literally thousands of tadpoles (both frog and toad poles) in various stages of development have suddenly reappeared in both ponds, which are still full of water and settling in nicely.

On the 10th, Week 6 of the butterfly transect recorded Orange-tip, Green-veined White (2), Small White, Large White, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood (2). A vocal Tree Pipit was flushed from the top of the field whilst at least a dozen Swifts and House Martins moved through northwards overhead, probably as part of a much bigger movement.

The monthly C.T. Work Party on the 12th pulled nettles around the top of the middle wall in Forde Orchard and then cut out of the ground the last few pieces of visible pond liner from around the big pond. A Swift and 2 House Martin low over the orchard mid-afternoon was something to look at between heavy rain showers and hail!

A day later the following plants were recorded in flower; Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea, Common Birds-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus, patch of non-native Pink Purslane Montia sibirica in the hedge along the access track. There are still Primrose and Lesser Celandine flowering in Corner Wood along with Pink Campion, Greater Stitchwort and native Bluebells.

What was originally identified as flowering Timothy Phleum pratense, turned out to be Meadow Foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus on the 17th.

On the 21st, in gloriously fine, sunny weather, 3 Western Power Distribution managers visited to look at the apprentice project planned for the autumn. At the same time, up to 5 male Orange-tip and a small Fritillary sp., possibly Pearl-bordered sp. or Heath Frit. were recorded in Forde Orchard briefly. Also, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Orange-tip, Small White, Green-veined White, Large White, Common Blue and Small Copper recorded during the Week 8 butterfly transect.

More flowering plants include; Cock’s-foot Dactylus glomerata, Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus, Field Woodrush Luzula campestris, Sheep’s Fescue Festuca ovina, Annual Meadow-grass Poa annua, Yellow Pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum, Black Medick Medicago lupulina, Wood Avens Geum urbanum, White Clover Trifolium repens, Cleavers Galium aparine, Lady’s Bedstraw Galium verum.

The dry hot days since the 20th have really brought everything out and the whole field is looking wonderful. The apple trees in Forde Orchard have blossom and there are a few tiny cherries forming on the cherry trees. On the 25th a Roe deer was seen grazing alongside the long path at lunchtime in full sunshine.

Week 9 of the butterfly transect on the 27th recorded 4 tatty Small Tortoiseshell, 1 tatty Peacock, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Small Skipper, 3 Large White, 2 Green-veined White (male and female copulating), 2 Holly Blue, 7 Common Blue, 9 Mother Shipton moths and 13 Silver Y moths. Flowering plants included Crested Dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatus, Lesser Stitchwort Stellaria graminea, White Campion/Bladder Campion Silene sp., Prickly Sow Thistle Sonchus asper, Smooth Hawk’s-beard Crepis capillaris, Foxglove Digitalis purpurea, Creeping Cinqefoil Potentilla reptans, Common Vetch Vicia sativa. Pond fauna in the ponds included Pond Skater Gerris lacustris, Water Measurer Hydrometra stagnorum and Water Boatman nymphs Corixa sp.

April 2010

On the 7th the first Brimstone butterfly was seen flying past the office. A further 3 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Peacock were seen during this year’s first butterfly transect. Also seen were Bee-fly Bombylius major, 7-spot ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata, White-tailed Bumblebees and other Bombus spp., thousands of small spiders (Pardosa/Pirata spp.). There was a Field Vole under one of the corrugated sheets in the field and a Common Shrew under a second sheet. Plants flowering now include Primrose Primula vulgaris, Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea, Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria, Dandelion Taraxacum officinale spp., Dog Violet Viola sp., (Wild/Barren) Strawberry Potentilla sp., Wavy Bitter-cress Cardamine flexuosa, Hairy Bitter-cress Cardamine hirsute, Ivy-leaved Speedwell Veronica hederifolia, Gorse Ulex sp. A Chiffchaff and 2 Swallows were also recorded!

Another Brimstone put in a fleeting appearance on the 9th, with 3 Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell. Spring felt finally sprung with 5 singing male Blackcap variously dotted around on site.

On the 14th, a Conservation Team Work Party cut bramble back off the Corner Wood fence line, filled some of the worst pot holes in the drive and finally moved some donated telegraph poles to the edge of the Kiln Close track to make the access that bit safer. All of the fruit trees in Forde Orchard are now covered in leaf buds and most are just about ready to erupt, so all thirty were given a good soak after the relatively dry spell we’ve been experiencing of late.

On the 15th a Swallow and the first House Martin of the year disappeared over the LLP heading northwards.

The big pond is still full of water after the ground works, despite very little rainfall.

In Forde Orchard, the first leaves started erupting out of their buds on the Cherry trees on the 22nd, with the plums and apples not far behind.

A couple of newly arrived Swallows spent two days checking out the barn for potential nest sites at the end of the month but had departed by May.

March 2010

At the beginning of the month 3 contractors visited with a view to providing a quote for the proposed wildlife tower.

A male House Sparrow was first heard singing in scrub behind the barn and was still in song a week later. Fingers crossed for the LLP’s first breeding record of this increasingly scarce species.

On the 10th the Conservation Team did some rock picking in Forde Orchard, then mulched around the fruit trees and spread the rest of the mulch along the top access track. Six tractor buckets of soil were spread over the most rocky areas of the upper slope to facilitate brush-cutting in the autumn. In the afternoon, the brash cut out of Pennsland Lane during hedgelaying was moved and burnt.

An untimely fresh Peacock was seen on the 9th, and a Small Tortoiseshell put in a brief appearance on the 10th.

The last of this academic year’s Plymouth University groups visited on the 17th before examinations, graduations and holidays restrict their availability. Bramble was cut out of the top hedgebank in Forde Orchard, and the pond liner left over from the pond works was cut up and moved ready for disposal.

A pair of Mallards put in a brief appearance from the 20th to the 22nd, raising hopes of another breeding attempt.

A Chiffchaff was in song in the roadside boundary hedge on the 27th

February 2010

The month began with the discovery of a Barn Owl pellet underneath the cut off pole by Kiln Close. Also in the same area, Field Vole holes every couple of metres along the track past the old dung heap, leading to hopes of a good vole year and a productive breeding season.

On the 9th the first frogspawn was seen in the ponds, though a hard frost iced everything up the following day and probably didn't do it any good. However, by the 15th the ponds were boiling with frog activity and there was a barrel load of spawn in the Oakley (lower) Pond.

The usual monthly Conservation Team work party on the 10th chipped the remainder of the brash for mulch and tidied up more brash along Pennsland Lane, the result of the traditional hedge-laying of the boundary hedgerow that is now nearing completion. The route of the proposed riverside walk was also marked out. This pathway will be built in October as part of a Community Project by the Apprentice Programme at Western Power and when complete should make for a beautiful walk along the Ashburn through a previously inaccessible area.

The work party also marked the locations for the fruit trees in Forde Orchard ready for planting. The first session on the 13th planted half the trees and involved volunteers from Orchard Link, a charity dedicated to providing support for orchard owners and enthusiasts, in an effort to ensure that orchards become and remain a sustainable element of our landscape. In appalling conditions (including snow!), the second session involved the regular group of Plymouth University volunteers, some of whom had originally helped with the initial stages of scrub clearance in the orchard over two and a half years ago when the orchard creation project first started to take shape.

A contractor visited on the 12th to look at the site for the wildlife tower.

Another contractor visited the ponds for a second time to firm up a works specification on the 15th with a view to finally starting remedial works on the 18th.

On the 17th the regular Plymouth University group finished planting the orchard fruit trees in appalling conditions, including heavy rain and driving snow. The same day the contractors, Land and Waterscapes Ltd. based in Somerset, arrived with their heavy plant, and started work a day later.

Firstly, they drained the Flo pond, and relocated all associated wildlife either to the Oakley pond or to the river. Dozens of frogs were no surprise but the presence of half a dozen Brown Trout was more of a shock. We can only assume that they were washed into the pond as eggs or fry through the abstraction from the River Ashburn. The trout were eventually translocated back into the Ashburn; fingers crossed they survive. The next step was to excavate a trench, into which mud and bags of bentonite (a clay powder acting as a sealant) were mixed to create slurry. More bentonite was mixed around the sides of the pond. Finally, the area between the ponds was landscaped with boulders. After only 4 working days on site, the site was tidied up and the contractors left. The abstraction was started and within 48 hours the pond was full, and has remained so . . .

On the 25th, managers from Western Power Distribution visited to walk the route of the proposed riverside walk on the Trusts land. Up to 50 apprentices and several managers will join us at the end of September to create the route, allowing access to a previously inaccessible stretch of the beautiful River Ashburn through Riverbank Wood.

January 2010

As the cold weather continued into the New Year, the minimum overnight temperature for the LLP was recorded on the 3rd, at –6.1 degrees centigrade.

Snow that fell on the 6th covered the ice on the ground and was followed by more snow on the 12th making access by vehicle to the site extremely difficult until 15th. Ice could still be seen on the ponds in the sunshine on the 17th – it had been there since the cold snap in December.

The remains of two Woodpigeon were found on the 4th, almost certainly the result of predation by a bird of prey, most probably Peregrine. Also the same day, 10+ Meadow Pipits and 2 Song Thrush were in and around North Park.

On the morning of the 9th, a Woodcock was accidentally flushed from under the remnant hedge in Kiln Close.

On the 12th another 4" of snow fell, what is now hoped to be the last this
winter.

January's Plymouth University group came on the 20th and cut bramble from around the gateway into Riverbank Wood. This facilitated access for the contractor who came on the 28th to start landscaping in Forde Orchard, and remove the Sycamore stumps left after tree felling last autumn. The same contractor also levelled the site of the proposed wildlife tower and part of the access track to Corner Wood at the same time.

By the end of the month two Woodcock had been flushed from below the remnant hedge on the 30th.

December 2009

On the 5th, our annual Winter Work Party was attended by 12 volunteers, including a group from the Nature at Sundown project and from BTCV Plymouth. We spent the day cutting back the overhanging branches of the remnant hedge in Kiln Close and the predominantly Hazel road boundary hedge. Great progress was made despite the rather inclement weather – once again it poured.

On the 9th the regular group of Plymouth University students visited to continue scrub control on the slope by Corner Wood. In warm (yes, warm!) sunshine much of the bramble was cleared and several of the old gorse stumps, (the result of previous scrub control sessions) were dug out. It was so warm by mid-day that a Red Admiral was seen to speed over the barn at lunchtime.

By mid-month, the driest weather for some months finally allowed for an impromptu session to move the large boulders left on the riverbank in Corner Wood. This will facilitate more regular maintenance of this beautiful stretch of the River Ashburn in the future.

The monthly Conservation Team Work Party chipped the cut timber in Forde Orchard ready for use as mulch around the fruit trees when they are planted in February.

On the 17th another potential contractor visited the site of the big pond to discuss options for remedial works.

November 2009

The remaining non-indigenous trees in the orchard were felled and cut up between 9th-11th.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority planning Case Officer accompanied by the Tree and Landscape Officer visited on the 12th to see the site of the proposed wildlife tower.

The regular Plymouth University group of conservation volunteers came on the 18th to clear scrub in various parts of the field, doing a thoroughly good job as always.

Despite the rather late date, fine weather on the 20th saw a flurry of late butterfly sightings including Red Admiral and Peacock. Kestrels, Buzzards and a Peregrine also seemed to be enjoying the sunny spells hunting or thermalling over the top field.

By the end of the month there had been 28 days of rain, 27 of which involved more than 2mm. A torrential rainstorm on Saturday 28th deposited 28.6mm which fell mostly in the late afternoon. By 5.30pm, 45mm per hour was falling, leading to severe flooding nearby.

October 2009

On the 1st a juvenile Wheatear was seen on the low hunting post in Half Hatch.

The cattle were let out of Kiln Close and were almost immediately shut into North Park for a few days, to ensure that all areas in the LLP receive some grazing. By the end of the month they had grazed most areas adequately however unfortunately they avoided the areas with the fresh green nettle shoots!

Forde Orchard was brushcut and raked as per the Dartmoor ESA management prescription, and in readiness for this winter’s fruit tree planting.

We have a great crop of Holly berries and Sloes in the hedges (the best for years), which will provide food for wildlife.

Kestrels and Buzzards are being seen hunting over the field almost every day and it’s quite unusual to go for a walk without spotting one perched on the longest telegraph pole left at the top of the field.

We have made an application for planning consent to build a wildlife tower in the field just outside Forde Orchard. If we are successful this would be funded by a donation in memory of our Friend John Woodland (follow the link to find out more about what a wildlife tower is).

Planning is underway for our winter work in the field including our Winter Work Party on Saturday 5th December. If you are interested in joining us between 10am – 4pm for practical work and a guided walk please contact the office for more details.

The first of this term’s Plymouth University student volunteers visited on the 28th and helped clear scrub on the lower orchard slopes ready for the landscaping in December, and in preparation for the fruit tree planting in February.

September 2009

Our annual grazing started later than usual on the 4th due to a delay caused by TB testing requirements at our local grazier’s farm.

Invasive species were given some attention on the 9th when patches of Nettle, Gorse and Creeping Thistle were topped with the tractor. More Creeping Thistle management occurred on the 11th with help from a BTCV Plymouth group, and again on the 16th during a Conservation Team Work Party.

Dispersing juveniles/migrants included 3 Meadow Pipits and a Tree Pipit flushed from Lurge on the 9th, with 3-4 juvenile Goldfinches along North Park, 2 juvenile Wheatear on the newly topped Nettle Patch at the old dung heap site on the 10th, and 6 Meadow Pipits and 2 vocal Tree Pipits a day later on the 11th.

A Bunting was flushed from a patch of mown Nettle at the top of Kiln Close and flew into a large Hawthorn in the remnant hedge on the 17th. Although it evaded specific identification by not showing again, a Wall butterfly, which showed well on a clump of Cock’s foot for some minutes, was ample consolation, being only the fourth LLP record of this pretty species.

The cattle were shut into Kiln Close on the 22nd and left in for 10 days.

August 2009

On the 8th, a scaled down 21st Birthday Party (postponed from July 18th ) was held in beautiful weather. A tour of the LLP culminated in an unidentified bat being seen flying in and out of the barn briefly in broad daylight. We finished the event with a picnic and drinks in Forde Orchard, a good time was had by all.

Large numbers of House Martins have been seen hunting over the field most afternoons and there have been regular sightings of the Kestrel family, up to 3 at a time.

A second group of BTCV volunteers from Plymouth visited on the 12th, and spent the day pulling Creeping Thistle in House Park and Lurge.

The aforementioned bat gave itself up on the 13th, being specifically identified as a Noctule (Nyctalis noctua), after being watched going to roost in the barn. This large bat is more diurnal than most despite its name, is covered with buff/ginger fur and has a wingspan of up to 30cm apparently. Presumably this explains all the wing cases of Orange Underwing (Archiearis parthenias) moths that scatter the upper barn floor.

Also on the 13th two Little Owl owlets were released from the mobile aviary in the early evening. They were brought to us starving having fallen from two separate untraceable nest sites The elder owlet disappeared into the top of a nearby Ash almost immediately and then sat watching the younger one, which spent some time checking things out. It seemed most interested in the moss growing on the Ash and took to pulling lumps off the branches and dropping them. Hopefully they’re a pair and will hang around the LLP to breed. Sightings of a single bird over the next few days led us to believe that there was just one still around but the two were seen together by the barn on the 17th.

A adult fox was spotted on the long path on the north side of the field at 18.50 on the 17th and was watched for several minutes snuffling on the short grass before it realised it had an audience and took off towards Kiln Close.

The latter half of the month was dominated by movement overhead. A mixed flock of about 50 hirundines, mostly Swallows with some House Martins went through over the LLP on the 18th with an attendant Hobby through at lunchtime. A week later on the 25th, 3 Peregrines were over the Ashburn Valley at lunchtime, viewable from Forde Orchard. Not to be outdone, one of our Kestrels was on the telegraph pole in Kiln Close mid-afternoon on the same day.

By the end of the month, House Martins were noted moving through in good numbers, with often over 100 individuals feeding over the LLP before continuing on their long southward journey to sunnier climes.

July 2009

July started with our annual Bracken Bash on the 4th. Despite a disappointing attendance, good progress was made in the warm afternoon sunshine. On the 8th, a youth group from BTCV Plymouth visited to finish off the bracken bashing, and even found time to start pulling Creeping Thistle in a number of places.

The Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus in Forde Orchard was photographed in flower on the 9th, and is an absolute picture. It hosted a large number of Mullein Moth caterpillars which were easy to find on the shredded leaves of some of the plants.

The troublesome bramble-clad slope by Corner Wood was partially brushcut, and the new growth on the deadwood tree stump in Forde Orchard was cut back.

A week of unsettled wet weather culminated in torrential rain and gale force winds on 16th and 17th making access to the field impossible for the Trust’s 21st Birthday Party. With more bad weather forecast for the weekend, we were unfortunately forced to postpone the event until August – fingers crossed for better conditions next time! Friends and supporters please contact the office for further details.

A young slow worm was seen on the new path outside the owl hospital on the 25th.

On the 27th a young Kestrel was again hunting over the LLP. This is one of a brood of 2 or 3 fledged from a nest site nearby, which have been using the field for the last month or so.

June 2009

On the 2nd, a Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula was seen mating outside the BOT office. Also on the same day, 2 House Sparrow, a male briefly in song, were in scrub along the hedgebank behind the barn briefly, before flying off to the bottom of the drive. This constitutes only the 2nd and 3rd records for the LLP.

A day later, a Sabre Wasp Rhyssa persuasoria (an ichneumon fly) was seen flying into Webcam Aviary.

Since 7th June a Barn Owl has been seen regularly hunting over the field in daylight. The radio tracking team have confirmed that it is the male of the pair breeding nearby. In the early evening of the 13th, a Roe Deer darted out of the long grass and took off across the field.

By mid-month, Yarrow Achillea millefolium was starting to come out, and also Marsh Thistle Cirsium palustre, Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare, Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense, Crested Dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatus and interestingly, Twiggy Mullein Verbascum virgatum. The grass seed heads had also started to ripen and change colour and it’s easy to see that there is a huge variety of species along with the wildflowers.

The Slow Worm was present again under one of the corrugate sheets in the company of a Common Toad, with 30+ Swifts and House Martins overhead. An Azure damselfly Coenagrion puella, Common Blue damselfly Ischnura elegans and Emperor dragonfly Anax imperator were in grassland along the Pennsland Lane hedgerow.

A couple of days later the Swift flock had increased to over 40 and the Common Toad was beginning to look very dry under the hot corrugated sheet.

The radio-tagged male Barn Owl was seen again on the evening of the 14th, having been seen almost every evening for over a week.

By the 23rd, dragonfly species recorded included Golden-ringed, Broad-bodied Chaser and a Darter species, seen too briefly for specific identification. Also, the LLP’s first record of Southern Hawker newly emerged at rest on an Elderflower. The same day, the first 3 Marbled White of the summer were seen, along with an early Gatekeeper, 10 Ringlet, 2 Small and 2 Large Skipper and either a Dingy or Grizzled Skipper which defied specific identification.

A day later 2 Dark Green Fritillaries were seen, constituting the second and third records for the LLP since one graced our offices in June 2006.

On the 29th, a local Peregrine thermalled westwards mid-afternoon.

May 2009

On the 4th, Changing Forget-me-not Myosotis discolor was found near the top path at the top end of North Park. Other LLP flowers have been amazing this spring; Red Campion, Greater Stitchwort and Germander Speedwell were still in flower on the 7th along with swathes of Creeping Buttercup. Also flowering; Common Mouse-ear, Herb-Robert, Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Scarlet Pimpernel, Common Vetch and Garlic Mustard.

Insects starting to make an appearance include Noonday Fly (Mesembrina meridiana) a-plenty and St Mark’s Fly (Bibio marci).

On the evening of the 10th a Barn Owl was heard flying over the LLP screeching loudly, the first time we’ve seen or heard one since last summer.

On the 13th a Conservation Team Work Party tackled some fencing repairs, and moved some rock and fallen dead wood. Invertebrates recorded on the day included a male Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis), White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis), European Slug (Arion ater agg.) (black variety) and an unidentified spider. In the Workshop Aviary a Longhorn Beetle (Rhagium bifasciatum) was found. Plants identified a Three-nerved Sandwort (Moehringia trinervia), Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium) and Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campestre). The day ended with a large flock of mixed Hirundines totalling 50+ over the orchard.

On the 20th what looked like a pregnant Slow Worm was under one of the corrugate sheets.

By the 22nd Swallows and Martins had arrived in good numbers and could be seen feeding over the field. A trio of Mallards, two males and a female, have been seen several times on the large pond and flying over the valley.

The wet weather over the last few weeks is making the grass grow really fast and unfortunately the docks, nettles, bracken and creeping thistle are springing up too and will need to be controlled.

On the 25th, 2 Collared Doves flew out of the barn, probably whilst nest prospecting.

By the end of the month, the nationwide Painted Lady (butterflies) invasion was in full swing throughout the LLP, with up to 50 observed all across the field, in particular on the White Clover by North Park hedgebank, along with scores of bumblebees.

April 2009

On the 1st, a trip around the LLP to take the monthly monitoring photographs revealed a Small Tortoisehell, a Peacock, a male Brimstone and a Small White, with one or two additional sightings of Brimstones and Peacocks around the office at lunchtime.

The first butterfly transect of the year was conducted a day later and recorded a Peacock, female Orange –tip, Small Tortoiseshell and Small White. Wild flowers were very much in evidence with Germander Speedwell, Greater Stitchwort, Hairy Bittercress, loads of Wild Strawberry, Dog Violets, Primroses, Lesser Celandine, Common Mouse-ear, Dandelion and Ground Ivy. Also a couple of 6-spot Ladybirds were recorded in North Park.

A week later the first Swallow was over North Park briefly, and 5 Meadow Pipits were still in Lurge.

On the 11th, a male Brimstone and several Commas were observed in beautifully sunny weather. A Sparrowhawk was seen circling overhead. The next day we had great views of a Heron flying low over the field towards the ponds. Nuthatches and Siskin are singing their hearts out every day.

A Conservation Team Work Party on the 15th chipped some fallen and cut wood for later use in Forde Orchard and continued to move stones from the paths which are waiting for their first cut of the year.

The LLP’s fourth sighting of a Common Lizard was of one under the corrugate sheet along the Kiln Close/Lurge hedgerow on the 24th. This is the fourth consecutive April that Common Lizard has been seen, but strangely there have been no records from any other month. Where do they go? Also there, a Slow Worm was seen on three separate occasions, and a shrew, probably feeding from the ants’ nest.

March 2009

Some bright sunny days mid month have seen the grass starting to grow and celandines flowering. There is evidence of field voles everywhere and before the new grass really starts to grow is the best time to see their holes, tunnels and latrines

Toads have been very much in evidence this month, singing during the day as well as at night and there have been lots of sightings of them in the ponds in daylight and on the paths after dark.

Small mammals have been seen under the corrugated sheets left as cover in strategic locations in the field. A field vole under one and a shrew under another, they all have tunnels and paths in the dead grass below them.

On the 7th, 13 Plymouth University students cut bramble from the now 1-year old Forde Orchard hedgebank, cut up and took out the fallen Willow from the river. They also finished tidying up the Holly hedge by Pennsland Lane and removed fallen branches from the lane hedge.

The pair of presumed-returning Mallard was seen on the Flo pond together for the first time of the 15th, after the lone female’s appearance earlier on the 9th.

On the 16th the first Blackthorn blossom was seen in Kiln Close along the top hedge.

By the end of the month the first Chiffchaff was in song.

February 2009

The significant snowfall and strong easterly that we experienced at the start of the month was responsible for the loss of several mature trees in Riverbank and Corner Wood. These need to be cut up and removed before any fence damage can be repaired.

Just before the snow both the Flo and Oakley ponds were alive with frogs and lots of spawn had appeared. Both ponds froze over during the cold weather and we thought that much of the spawn would have been damaged by the ice. Much to our delight as the snow disappeared the frogspawn looked fine, it looked as if the snow had insulated it and the frogs are now back in force and very much in evidence when you walk past. However after a few days of dry weather the water level in the Flo pond is dropping, (because of the hole in the liner and the abstraction system not working) so much of the spawn is now getting stranded on the edge and unless we get some rain its likely to dry out and die. We are still waiting for a satisfactory resolution to the “pond problems “.

By mid-month, all the snow had disappeared and the first Primrose was in flower in the centre of the path to Corner Wood, where 7 days previously had lain 6” of snow.

By the 14th, good numbers of Meadow Pipits had been enjoying rich pickings feeding in the long grass for at least a fortnight.

On the 18th, another Plymouth University volunteer work party came and finished off scrub clearance on the difficult slope by Corner Wood.

At lunchtime on the 26th a female Kestrel was seen making hunting forays over the rough grassland from the North Park polebox.

January 2009

On the 6th a flock of about a dozen Long-tailed Tit and 2 to 3 Goldcrests feeding on the ground in the rough grassland above Riverbank Wood was an unusual sight.

Both poleboxes were checked on the 9th with approximately 8 pellets in the North Park box presumably from a Barn Owl support-released in the LLP during autumn 2008.

A Conservation Team Work Party on the 21st had another go at sorting rocks for the Owl Hospital wall. Good progress was made in the morning until rain stopped play after lunch. A contractor has now been engaged to start work on the project at the end of February.

A lone peacock butterfly was seen in a brief sunny spell on the 19th.

January weather continued the cold unsettled theme with 21 days of precipitation and 9 days of sub-zero temperatures, including a low of -8.9 recorded at 1am on the 7th.

By the end of the month, the ponds were alive with frog activity.

December 2008

At the beginning of the month, the Forde Orchard fruit trees were ordered from a local supplier for collection next winter. Maidens (1 year old) of Apple, Cherry and Plum of 11 different varieties will be planted in early 2010. The 30 individuals will be traditional local varieties selected according to flowering and fruiting season, and scab resistance with an emphasis on their ultimate benefit to wildlife.

We are currently looking for a contractor to build a retaining dry-stone wall by the new bird hospital using stone removed from the site of the barn extension. The annual volunteer “Winter Work Party” took place on the 6th and a small, merry band spent all day sorting and shifting stones for the project. The weather and company were both excellent and good progress was made. Our Conservation Team day on the 9th continued the sorting and shifting process.

A flock of over 20 Meadow Pipits were flushed from North Park on the 10th.

Work on the new Owl Hospital continues with an opening roof hatch fitted to the release aviary and the bird room being lined.

On the 17th the loss adjustor came to view the big pond. We hope now for a swift resolution to the trouble.

Mean temperature for the month was 5.1ºC with a high of 11.9ºC and low of –1.1ºC. There was 72.4mm of rain and an average wind speed of 3.5 mph with a high of 33 mph. This compares to a mean temperature in December 2007 of 6.8ºC with a high of 14.2ºC and low of –0.9º, 133.2mm of rain and an average wind speed of 3.5mph (high 44mph). Overall much colder and drier in 2008 than in 2007 and looking back through our records the same applies to December 2006. Interestingly records for December 2005 show a similar picture to 2008 with a mean temperature of 5.8 ºC and 84.4mm of rain, however we did record a low of –5.8ºC.

November 2008

Good numbers of winter bird species moved through in the first days of the month. A flock of thrushes were observed on the 7th, including 10+ Blackbirds, 5+ Song Thrush and 20+ Redwing in House Park. Also lots of Chaffinches were still passing through with large flocks on the office bird tables. Three days later, numbers of Siskins were around with flocks of 20 and then over 30 overhead. Some cold weather movement was observed first thing on the 19th, all of which was interestingly in a northerly or northwesterly direction, including various flocks totalling 52 Woodpigeon , 23 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing and 28 Siskin.

On the 11th, the old polebox in the part of the field known as Lurge (where a pair of Barn Owls bred this year) was replaced with a new design polebox. Recent evidence of occupation was found with about half a dozen fresh pellets inside the box.

The next day a small group of volunteers from Plymouth University came and tackled the Pennsland Lane and Holly hedges and made good progress in beautiful sunny autumnal weather.

The work on the Owl Hospital is well underway with the framework for the three small hospital aviaries and the large rehab aviary completed. An insulated floor has also been laid in the hospital room.

The average temperature for the month was 8.3ºC with a low of –2.8ºC overnight on the 28th.This compares to average temperatures here of 8.4ºC in 2007, 9.0ºC in 2006 and 7.2ºC in 2005.

October 2008

A flock of juvenile Swallows totalling up to 100 went through south westwards at lunchtime on the 1st.

There’s lots of fresh grass now that the cattle have gone and a few late red admirals were seen when the sun came out.

Building of the first of the new hospital aviaries began on the 20th.

Great views of a Golden-ringed Dragonfly at the top of North Park and a Peregrine flying over on the 21st.

We received news that the two radio-tagged juvenile Barn Owls from the pole box had fledged successfully and dispersed away from the field.

On the 22nd a fallen tree along the Ashburn in riverbank wood had taken out the fence across the river but hadn’t done any permanent damage.

The first Redwings of the autumn were heard then seen going south on the morning of the 27th, much later in the month than usual.

Students from Plymouth University joined the conservation team on the 28th for a day of hedge work.

September 2008

On the 1st the grazier was informed that one of his calves had an injury to one of its ankles. Having had a look he speculated that perhaps it was a snake bite! The calf was given anti-biotics and will be monitored. If confirmed this would be the first record of Adder for the LLP.

Another flock of Swallows, all juveniles, were again over Kiln Close on the 10th.

The Conservation Team work party on the 11th shifted the last of the troublesome stones in Forde Orchard ready for its first strim at the end of the month. A Common Toad was photographed in Forde Orchard the same day.

The contractor started groundworks by the barn for the site of the new Bird Hospital late on the morning of the 15th and within a couple of days had made excellent progress.

It's a really bad year for berries in the field, not many blackberries, very few bullus and no sloes seen yet. There’s only one really good patch of holly berries in the remnant hedge and a few rosehips.

On the 17th our Natural England advisor visited Forde Orchard to assess the site for potential funding for the orchard recreation. The next day a constant movement of Swallows and House Martins was observed overhead southwards in the morning along with a Peregrine through south at lunchtime.

The same day, the contractors put in the footings, corner post framework and roof beams of the barn extension for the new bird hospital. On the 23rd they poured the concrete floor, and finished all works on the 26th.

Also on the 26th, the grazier removed his cattle, which had been on for nearly 10 weeks. There is still plenty of grass for the voles.

Forde Orchard was strimmed for the first time on the 29th with the help of a volunteer raking up the cuttings.

A Slow Worm was observed in Kiln Close on the 30th.

There was 86.4mm of rain in the month and a mean temperature of 13.2°C.

August 2008

The cattle were shut into North Park on the 1st but had managed to completely flatten the grass by the 4th so were let out. The area along the length of the new North Park hedgebank where the turf had been lifted was awash with Creeping Thistle again, even after a session pulling it - another session was scheduled towards the middle of the month.

A busy period began with a visit from Chris Sperring (& family) from the Hawk and Owl Trust, who visited and had a walk around the LLP on the 7th. A couple of days later the cattle were shut into Kiln Close on the 9th and their impact closely monitored. On the 11th the polebox owlets were radio-tagged with transmitter backpacks as part of our research into juvenile dispersal.

On the 12th, the ‘Airstrip' was topped, as were the nettles on the old dung heap. Some other patches of nettles were topped, with a control group left, to monitor the effectiveness of this method of management by comparing stands next year.

One the 13th, a Conservation Team work party spent most of the day in constant heavy drizzle pulling Creeping Thistle from along North park hedgebank.

A Tree Pipit was flushed from long grass in House Park on the 19th and was fortunately vocal before alighting again in Kiln Close and disappearing under a mixed flock of about 30-40 Hirundines.

July 2008

There have been lots of visitors to the field this month. On the 2nd and 3rd two groups from Torquay Museum - the Ornithologists and the Ramblers respectively - visited for LLP tours. Kestrels from the nearby barn were watched feeding over the field and a small mixed flock of Swifts and House Martins appeared when the sun eventually came out to feed on the insects rising from the grass. A few flocks of Siskin were seen, with their plaintive down-slurred calls overhead. Butterflies performed in the sunny spells too, and included Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Marbled White in good numbers.

The annual Bracken Bash event on the 5th had to be postponed due to torrential rain (31mm) and strong winds. Unfortunately, the rescheduled date of the 9th proved to be just as inclement (31.6mm) though at least the wind had dropped. However, by lunchtime everyone was completely soaked, having bashed only half of what needed doing. It was eventually finished off on the 16th.

The rain held off and we were extremely lucky with the weather for our next events. Neighbours Night on the 11th was extremely well attended with 29 local residents having a brief talk about the Trust in the barn and an evening walk around the LLP. On Supporters' Day, the 12th after an LLP slideshow, cake and a tour of the office, the sun broke through in time for our walk around the field and we saw some of the butterflies, most notably the Marbled Whites.

The fresh remains of a couple of Field Voles were found under the corrugate sheet by Kiln Close on the 12th, suggesting predation by a Mustelid, probably a Weasel. The first live Slow Worm was found under the corrugated iron sheet at the top by the Pennsland Lane hedge on the 19th.

By the 20th we had recorded 110.2mm of rain compared to 90.7mm for the whole of July last year, and the mean temperature for the month to date is 14.3°C compared to 14.6°C in 2007 and 18.7°C (14th - 31st June 2006).

By the 21st the crickets and grasshoppers were singing in earnest whenever the sun shone.

The wildflower strip across the top of the field, known as the ‘Airstrip', was topped for the first time on the 21st, having previously only been mown since its creation 2 years ago. More topping on the 23rd was undertaken to limit the spread of Creeping Thistle in the north part of Lurge.

Two owlets from the polebox were ringed in front of two guest observers on the 29th. A juvenile Stonechat also put in an appearance around Forde Orchard, presumably a dispersing individual from the moor, and stayed around until the end of the month.

June 2008

A really exciting month, another first on the 3rd when we discovered that the Mallards had nested on the island.

Repeated glimpses of a Barn Owl hunting over the field throughout the month and then on the 15th great views of one quartering the field above the office just before 10pm. The next evening on a dusk walk watched a BO hunting the roadside of the field and it flew into the pole box and out again - could it be nesting? On the 23rd we were visited by Peter and Shirley Gregory, last year's draw prizewinners of a "day out with the conservation team". This seemed like a good time to check the polebox and we found a brood of 4 newly hatched Barn Owl young and one egg that could still hatch. There were 8 fresh voles in the box too, so no shortage of food for the family. The adult pair were both present so we weighed, measured and fitted rings to them before returning them to the box with their young. As we were doing this a Hobby was spotted flying over the field. We also checked the boxes we have in the farmstead adjacent to the field and ringed brood of 5 Kestrels one box. We saw an adult Barn Owl (male) roosting in one building and then found a female with a brood of owlets in another nestbox - three well grown and smaller one freshly dead. We fitted rings to the female and the young so that they can be identified if they are found again. Brilliant result, 2 pairs nesting within 500m metres of each other and to top it all at dusk on the same day we watched two adults (one from each site) hunting over the field within minutes of each other.

The grass and flowers in the field are looking wonderful but the wet and cold weather (for June) means that we have seen fewer insects and butterflies than in previous years. There are also not so many Swallows, Swifts and House Martins though we are seeing some. The new hedge banks are looking good and the area of Forde Orchard that was cleared is looking quite green now. On the 11th the conservation team and volunteers spent a day moving stones and cutting and pulling creeping thistle.

Overall it was a windier month than in 2007 and we lost a couple of trees on the steep slope in Riverbank Wood. There was 48.2 mm of rain throughout the month; less than in June 2007 when we recorded 138.4mm. The mean temperature was 14.0°C compared to 14.3°C in 2007 and 15.9°C (1st - 20th June 2006).

May 2008

The month started with a Small Copper recorded during the butterfly transect in Kiln Close on the 1st with a mixed flock of House Martin and Swallow overhead.

On the 6th, the Conservation Team work party spent their time picking stones from along the new hedgebanks and spreading woodchip on the Forde Orchard access track. The same day the pair of Mallards was seen around the ponds again briefly. Later that evening, the rehabilitated Barn Owl brought to us just before Christmas with a head injury was released from the mobile aviary. It flew 20 yards from the aviary before starting to hunt!

On the 9th a male Pied Flycatcher checked out the nestbox just outside the BOT office window.

Patches of buttercups, stitchwort and speedwell are blooming beautifully amidst the seed heads of sweet vernal grass and the new North Park hedgebank is greening up well.

31st. Four Mallard ducklings + female seen around ponds

April 2008

The first day of the month saw a Common Lizard sunning itself briefly on a patch of dead grass just down from the weather station before scurrying into the litter layer. This is only the second record for the LLP after one in roughly the same place mid-April 2007.

The next day a Fox was watched outside the office stalking chickens before disappearing into scrub behind the barn with nothing to show for his audacity.

On the 3rd the first butterfly transect of the season recorded 8 Peacocks, with a Small Tortoiseshell and a Green-veined White later the same day.

Next day, a Brimstone put in a brief appearance behind the barn. Spring finally arrived with the first 5 Swallows through northwards mid-afternoon accompanied by the sound of half a dozen Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps in full song in the warm, sunny weather. Don't know what they thought of the snow showers a couple of days later though!

After several days of dry conditions it was deemed safe enough for the final stage of the capital works to start on the 7th with the fencing contractor setting posts in ready for the straining wire. Earlier that day, 3 Canada Geese had flown over the LLP heading north.

By the 14th the final landscaping was taking place in Forde Orchard, and a day later it was all finished and looks amazing.

On the 22nd a long-term supporter of the Trust brought a birding group from Norfolk and spent the morning having a guided tour around the LLP. Birds of note were few and far between but a Sparrowhawk showed well over North Park, and there were couple of Swallows over Shute Park. Butterflies included; 6 Orange-tip, a Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, three Peacock and a Holly Blue.

In the afternoon, a pair of Barn Owls was observed in the polebox by the road boundary. Interestingly, there was no evidence of occupation in the box, suggesting that these birds had taken up residence very recently.

The same afternoon, the North Park hedgebank polebox was replaced with the new, long-awaited polebox design.

25th - Another first for the field - a pair of mallards were seen swimming on the "Flo Pond" - the first birds recorded on the ponds, they were there again on the 26th. The first ladybird of the year was also spotted in the grass.

March 2008

Five students from Plymouth University visited again and helped to clear scrub around the barn on the 5th.

A day later, a pair of Long-tailed Tits was observed carrying nesting material to the area of gorse and bramble behind the barn along the hedgerow.

By the 10th most of the works in the field were completed with an impressive stone bank and small section of new hedge bank in Forde Orchard and an impressive new hedge (along the original line) for the field known as North Park. Our contractor has now planted all the banks with a conservation mix of indigenous trees and bushes. All that now remains is the fencing. With quite a bit of turf removed during hedge construction there will be an opportunity for seeds dormant in the soil to germinate over the next year or two and we look forward to seeing what appears.

A singing male Blackcap on the 25th suggested spring was on its way.

February 2008

A Kingfisher was first heard and then watched fishing for about 15 minutes along the Ashburn from the Trust's offices on the 6th before finally disappearing up-river.

On the 6th, 14 students from Plymouth University came and finished the scrub clearance on the edge of Corner Wood and tackled another scrub clump near the track. Their remit this time was to control rather than clear the scrub, so about a metre and half of growth was removed from the edge of the clump, leaving a sizeable area for nesting birds.

Also on the 6th North Park hedge bank hosted 27 Meadow Pipits, rising to over 35 by the 14th.

The stone faced bank in Forde Orchard is nearing completion and looks amazing.

The Kingfisher was heard again around the ponds on the 25th.

A Barn Owl was observed flying out of the Trust barn just before dusk on the 29th, heading off towards North Park.

Another mild winter resulted in the first Primroses being noted in bud in Corner Wood on the 3rd and the first Lesser Celandines in flower in Shute Park on the 7th.

On the 9th a male Sparrowhawk was seen in display flight from the field. This consists of slow wing-flapping combined with undulating flight, reminiscent of a butterfly, high circling and plunge-diving, usually in the presence of the female.

January remained mild, but very wet and windy, resulting in localised flooding in Ashburton on the 15th.

Two stray sheep appeared in the field on the 15th January and reappeared on the 17th but were politely asked to leave both times. They were just in time to see our contractor arrive with swing shovel and dumper truck in order to start the stone-faced hedge bank in Forde Orchard on the 21st.

An early Peacock butterfly was roused from its slumber by the briefest rays of sunshine before it started raining again, also on the 17th.

Work started in earnest in Forde Orchard on the 21st and continued for the rest of the month. Our contractor managed to find an impressive amount of stone on site during excavations, which is being used to make the stone-faced bank.

Life returned to the barn pond, with about a dozen frogs and heaps of frogspawn on the 23rd. By the 24th the welcome sunshine and mild weather had encouraged a Red Admiral out.

December 2007

The beginning of the month saw a very unseasonal Buttercup in flower in Half Hatch on the 3rd. Resident Wood Mice were still active under the corrugated iron sheet also in Half Hatch until at least 11th.

The next day, five volunteers from Plymouth University came and moved the wood chipped from Forde Orchard into the aviaries, and took down the fence and loosened posts in Forde Orchard, ready for works to commence in the New Year.

On the 19th the remaining scrub was chipped in Forde Orchard and on the 20th the contractor was appointed to start the ground works in January.

November 2007

The Conservation Team had a day in the field on the 14th and continued with work in Forde Orchard. Cleared scrub was chipped for use as mulch on the track and the bramble used in a ‘dry' hedge ensuring everything was reused. We are now waiting for quotes from contractors in order to get the new North Park hedge and Forde Orchard boundaries built this winter.

Volunteers from EDF Energy came on the 22nd to tackle scrub encroachment near Corner Wood. This is part of EDF Energy's Helping Hands scheme, where staff can use at least two days of company time each year to help support the local communities the company services. Hopefully they'll be prepared for a lot of hard work!

The weather has turned colder with the temperature dropping below -2°C on some nights and ground frosts in the morning which look spectacular on the long grass and spiders webs. The cold nights have meant clear skies and we've had some amazing views of the stars over the field.

One of the rehabilitated young Tawny Owls released in September is still around and very vocal, visiting the oak tree outside the office most evenings and calling frequently from the woodland.

A Red Admiral was watched sunning itself on the fence by Pennsland Lane hedge on the 25th.

The broken corrugated sheets in the grass (used to provide shelter for small mammals and reptiles) were replaced with corrugated iron sheets on the 27th. Two Wood Mice were found under the old sheet in Half Hatch during replacement.

October 2007

Grazing continued into October and the cattle were removed on the 18th.

About 50 House Martins moved through over the woods and field on the 2nd. These migrants are one of the latest to move back southwards with some pairs still currently feeding young in the nest.

Wood mice have been found for the first time under the corrugated sheet.

The second Conservation Team work party took place on the 10th with more Forde Orchard scrub clearance.

Over 14 days 40.4 ml of rain fell, with 18.8 mls falling on the 16th alone.

Another volunteer work party took place with students from Plymouth University on the 31st. Twenty students came and worked amazingly hard, virtually finishing the scrub clearance in Forde Orchard. A very big thanks to them all.

September 2007

Unfortunately, evidence of a dead Barn Owl was found on the 2nd. There were feathers in a couple of places above the barn. The way the feathers had been bitten clean through it was likely to have been a fox and although sad it is probably not unusual anywhere where Barn Owls tend to perch-hunt frequently. Unfortunately there was no trace of the body or legs so we were unable to tell if the bird had been ringed. This would have provided important information on where (and when) the bird had come from.

The annual grazing regime commenced on the 3rd with our local farmer putting on 10 cows, 10 calves and a bull. This will promote new growth in the spring and increase floral diversity whilst preserving that all-important litter layer so essential for small mammals, and therefore Barn Owls. Also on the 3rd a juvenile Wheatear was recorded on the North Park hedgebank.

The first Conservation Team work party set out on the 13th to try to tackle the scrub in Forde Orchard. Much of the smaller scrub was tackled with the help of the tractor but the more mature Gorse and Bramble needed a lopper, handsaw or chainsaw. After several hours of strenuous activity we all felt we had made a start. The volunteer work party on the 24th continued in the same vein and a couple more days should see the worst of it done.

On the 17th the first contractor paid us a site visit to quote for works on the planned North Park and Forde Orchard hedgebanks. On the 19th a young badger visited during the day giving some lovely views, it spent part of the time under the Trust's freezer room. A slowworm and family of field voles were found under the corrugated sheets in the field.

On the 26th a visit from Orchard Link gave invaluable advice on restoring this area to an orchard.

August 2007

On the 6th 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Meadow Pipit and a Peregrine were recorded.

More Creeping Thistle control took place on the 9th in various areas including three patches topped by tractor in North Park. None were tackled in Kiln Close but the strips either side of the remnant hedge were topped. There were also patches done in the House Park/Hayes Close area.

The second and third records of Wall butterfly were recorded during the weekly butterfly transect on the 21st.

Barn Owls have been seen for most of the month foraging and perch hunting over the LLP field, making full use of the supply of small mammals in the rough grassland habitat.

July 2007

The annual Bracken Bash was held on the 7th. Mercifully the weather was absolutely beautiful and in between bouts of ‘bashing' Sparrowhawk and Hobby were noted. Everyone had a thoroughly good time, so if anyone reading this is feeling like they've missed out, there will be more LLP volunteer events starting this September! Please contact us for details or check the News and Forthcoming Events pages on the website.

The grass seed heads have started ripening and the field has turned a rich golden brown although much of the grass has now been beaten down by the rain. Despite the weather the Mallow and Hedge Bedstraw are flourishing in the Pennsland Lane hedgerow and the Bedstraw smells wonderful as you walk past it.

On the 11th 95 Marbled White were counted, an LLP record, along with 71 Meadow Brown, 30 Small Skipper and 26 Ringlet.

The 24th was dry enough for members of the conservation team to get out and pull some Docks and the odd stand of Indian Balsam from various parts of the field, as well as the worst patches of Creeping Thistle.

Members of DEFRA visited for a rewarding day pulling Creeping Thistle on the 31st. The ten volunteers from DEFRA and BOT staff managed to remove 3 heaped trailer loads in Kiln Close. And the day was so successful we have another volunteer work party booked for September.

June 2007

On 12th June committee members from Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Churchtown Farm Community Nature Reserve visited us for a talk and tour around the LLP field. On a beautiful sunny, warm afternoon we recorded a dozen Skippers, the year's first three Marbled Whites, and increasing numbers of Meadow Browns were noted.

On the same walk a male Beautiful Demoiselle was recorded by the Ashburn near Corner Wood. These are stunning damselflys, the males of which have a metallic blue-green body and are the only British damsels with all dark wings. Extremely sensitive to pollution, their presence serves as a reliable indicator of the excellent water quality of the Ashburn, which fringes the western boundary of the LLP and eventually runs into the River Dart at nearby Buckfast. A female Broad-bodied Chaser was also recorded in the same area. With yellow spots along the rather short body, individuals of this species can look like large wasps if seen at a distance.

The very next day, on June 13th Barbara Handley from the Hawk and Owl Trust also visited the LLP for a tour with some friends. Unfortunately the weather wasn't quite as kind, nevertheless a good time was had by all.

On the 21st we recorded the first Field Vole under the corrugate at the top of the field, and a Fox and Roe Deer hind along the back path on a solstice evening walk. A day later on the 22nd, a neatly timed butterfly transect walk between thunderstorms and torrential rain revealed 47 Marbled White, 37 Meadow Brown, 8 Small Skipper and 1 Small Copper.

All in all there were 20 days with rain in June totalling 138.4 mm !!!!

May 2007

May started with glorious weather but quickly deteriorated to more usual spring conditions with some much-needed rain from the 6th onwards. Surprisingly, this inclement weather seemed to suit the dozens of Swallows, House Martins and one or two Swifts which turned up at about the same time to take advantage of the myriad of insects over the field and barn.

The new ponds continue to naturalise with the appearance of two large patches of Bluebells nearby. Some of the white variant of Bluebell have also appeared for the first time in the grassland near the edge of Corner Wood. Buttercups, Germander Speedwell and Common Bird's Foot Trefoil are all in flower in the grass now, and there is a stand of Fumitory along the path at Kiln Close. Our first ever stand of Yellow Archangel has appeared along the LLP lane boundary.

Large numbers of ladybird larva have been seen on and around one of the camera posts at the top of the field (Young ladybirds, called LARVAE, are strange-looking blue-black creatures with yellow spots. This larva spends three weeks eating hundreds of aphids and then turns into a PUPA. Six days later the pupa's case splits open and the adult ladybird climbs out).

The tadpoles in the large pond have started turning into froglets and are hopping around on the pond margins.

The mystery concerning the odd bits of bunny that have been turning up around the field is finally solved (pictured).

A Small Heath was recorded on the 23rd May in Kiln Close, constituting the first ever LLP record for this unassuming little butterfly.

The LLP nest boxes were checked on May 28th. Most were in use by either Blue Tits or Great Tits, but two boxes encouragingly had Pied Flycatchers.

By the end of May, up to 40 House Martins and a dozen Swifts had taken to feeding low over Kiln Close, and a male Pied Flycatcher was in song in Corner Wood.

April 2007

Unseasonably clement weather continues in April, by the middle of the month one might have thought it was mid-summer.

Corner Wood is an absolute picture, with a carpet of Primrose, Lesser Celandine, Greater Stitchwort and Dog Violet.

A singing male Blackcap in the hedgerow along Kiln Close on the 3rd did nothing to persuade us any differently and stamped Spring's credentials to the LLP flag post. Half a dozen late Redwing which straggled through the same day however reminded us that winter may not yet have relinquished its hold. The first Swallow for the year was recorded on the 11th and the very next day the first Willow Warbler of the year was heard singing in the trees around the BOT offices.

The Butterfly Conservation Monitoring Scheme kicked off this month, with the first male Orange-tip and first Green-veined White for the year recorded on the 11th and 16th respectively. Also on the 16th, the LLP's first ever Common Lizard (Lacerta vivipara) was seen sunning itself briefly by the weather station but typically didn't hang around long enough for a photograph.

Various species of bumblebee and ladybird are in evidence in and around the field but also seem reticent about posing for the camera - watch this space!

At lunchtime on the 30th two Hobby came in from the south and we saw them thermal northwards up the valley.

March 2007

This month we have had tadpoles hatch in the small pond by the barn. There have been primroses in Corner Wood and celandines and dandelions in the field. Several brimstones and one peacock butterfly have been seen. A goshawk has been hunting over the field and on 19th March two Barn Owls were seen in the Trust's barn together for the first time ever- hurray!

February 2007

We have seen at least 30 frogs and have frogspawn in both of the new ponds in Forde Orchard. First evidence of harvest mice found in the field. Another wet month, 22 days with rain (202.2 ml), 27.99ml (over an inch) fell on the 22nd.

January 2007

24 days with rain this month (161.2 ml) and a temperature range of 13.6°c to -2.6°c. A windy month with the strongest wind recorded at 46mph on the 11th. Frogspawn found in the barn pond on 22nd .