Sunday, 30 December 2012

Week 9: 3rd - 6th December

 
A gorgeous crisp winter's day at Silent Valley Nature Reserve.

Monday

As it’s the first Monday of the month, we spent the morning having our monthly team meeting.
Our weekly Welsh lesson filled the afternoon – this week’s topic was talking about family and friends.

"Brawd Megan dw i." - I'm Megan's brother.
"Dyma Kevin.  Gŵr Helen yw e." - This is Kevin.  He's Helen's husband.


Tuesday

Today we spent the day at Silent Valley.  We spent the morning finishing last week's job clearing the area of overgrown Willow, Alder and Birch at the bottom of the reserve.  In the afternoon we dug out two large trenches to allow water to drain into the stream – due to all the recent rain the area was becoming increasingly boggy.  We also walked along the blue trail of the reserve and removed two branches that had recently snapped in the bad weather and were overhanging the trail.  As the branches were particularly high up, this task required the use of a pole saw.

Beth digging one of the large trenches - muddy stuff!

 
Wednesday

Today, the three of us spent the day at Magor Marsh. 

We attended an event put on by the Trust called “Investigating Winter Wildlife”.  There was a small display and talk about wild items you may find whilst out and about – deer antlers, various skulls, chewed acorns and hazelnuts – and then a guided walk was given around the reserve in which we searched for signs of water voles, bird watched from the hide, and looked at the various types of plantlife around at this time of year.  It was a great event, very informative and lots of fun!


Lovely view from the bird hide at Magor Marsh.

 
Wildlife SIghtings:
Magpie; Robin; Blackbird; Blue tit; Great tit; Woodpigeon; Jay; Kestrel; Greater-spotted woodpecker; Fieldfare; Redwing; Long-tailed tit; Buzzard; Coot; Little grebe; Moorhen; Mute swan; Mallard; Kingfisher; Grey heron; Snipe.



Thursday

Along one of the fence lines at the ERC, there were a few overhanging trees which had the potential to cause problems both on the ERC side of the fence, and on the public road on the other side.  We spent the day helping the reserve officer to remove or reduce these trees before this could happen.  After felling, all the smaller branches were cut off and stacked in a brash pile to be used at a later date for continuing the dead hedge in the ERC grounds.  The larger trunks were cut down into logs which were then stacked and left, also to be used at a later date.

Michaël spent the day helping out at Pentwyn Farm felling some small trees, cutting up the brash, stacking it all into piles, and then beginning tree stump treatment to prevent any regrowth.


Friday

Today there was an event at Tredegar House in which Gwent Wildlife Trust had a small information stand.  We answered questions about the Trust, what we do, and other general wildlife questions.

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