More Mowing

At the work party on the 12th May we began the scything season by clearing the area along the hedge between Filnore and the allotments and had hoped to continue by clearing the the two hedges either side of the entrance at the next work party. Unfortunately this was cancelled because of rain so we had another go last Sunday (9th June).

As you can see, the outsides of both hedges are pretty well full of vegetation that's stopping light getting to them.

The other side is just as bad so we had to get rid of the weeds and open up the hedge again.

Derek, Peter, Eric and Will got stuck into clearing that side and soon made good progress. 

On the other side, Jim and Mike were making good progress too.

While Erika cut a solitary path behind the hedge near the allotments and found :- 

We don't know whose home this was but we think it may have been a wren. If anyone does know please tell us. By the way, this isn't where the nest was built. It fell out of the hedge and was placed it that position for the photo.

                 

Erika then carried on and soon had the weeds cleared and opened up the hedge to the light.

On the other side of the entrance Jim, Eric and Mike had opened up that hedge and produced a lot of arisings.

Which Will and Peter are putting in the pits along the ride beside the allotments.

Whilst we are waiting for the S Glos mowing team to come and cut the paths and Welcome area, Andy had made a path through the grass from the entrance to the bench so our visitors can have a rest without getting their feet wet!

Erika's Flowery Walk in June

 Erika, one of our work party volunteers, was walking in the woods recently and took some lovely photos of the flowers she found there. Here is her description of them :- 

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June in Filnore Wood

The meadow areas have Red Clover. Apparently once a bee has taken the nectar it only takes 15 minutes for the flower to refill its stores, one of the quickest flowers to refill so very beneficial to pollinators.

 

The Buttercups are peaking at the moment. I like this one with the bug.

Dock and Cowslips are forming.

 

Wild Roses have a large open flower whereas the Elderflower has a collection of little tiny individual ones that form large clumps. Both have a lovely perfume.

I like the close proximity of the Oxeye daisy and the Teasel stalk, just to confuse, in this photo from the top meadow area.

And lastly this close up of some Sorrel, full of pollen and waving high above the rest of the plants to catch the wind.

All photos by Erika Booth