P1130836
Despite the really stormy grey but mild day there was an amazing turnout with 20+ Voles on parade at Ruxox for the regular task of cutting the vegetation at this famous Bedfordshire landmark heritage site.
When I arrived, a bit late as usual, a medieval style scene was before me, a long line of rakers filled the Ruxox ditch as far as the eye could see while the distant chug chug of the jolly blue mower could be heard as Dave the Moffat (in charge for the day) negotiated the banking. It always amazes me how quickly a job gets done by the Voles. I know that we were only cutting one side of ditch but in the "good old days" in the distant past we were lucky to do half of the ditch in a whole day. On this occasion we were all done by before noon and were able to tranship to Steppingly.
First tea call was taken on time, despite the lack of a tea pot, and Malcolm's special spicy bread pudding vanished very quickly.
Here at Ruxox we found a pair of medium sized Common Toads and watched a love triangle of Skylarks disputing territory in the adjoining field. Near the entrance to the farm there were several large flocks of Starlings who seemed to be passing through. In the same horse field we noted several pumpkin size puffballs ( I had thought they were pumpkins!)
At Steppingly we parked under a Horse-chestnut Tree and there were soon gathering in two large bags of conkers. These will be planted at Sandy Smith near the base fence as part of the plan to put in many thousand trees. At the same time "Mower" Moffat was off again like a F1 rocket and it was not long before the fairly large patch of meadow that remained uncut was lying flat ready for raking. We had a short interruption for lunch but very soon afterwards the second task of the day was completed and the Voles dispersed again. Fortuitously we were able to collect a few apples. During the final minutes of raking I noticed a little ball of grass and picking it up noticed a tiny furry little vole-like creature nestling in it and then several more near the nest place. Richard Laurence tells me these "voles" were in fact Wood Mice! We placed the nest back with occupants and hope there is a happy ending.
Thanks go again to TWF for another curry hotpot and also to Audrey for delivering a hot apple and pumpkin pie.
P1130836
Despite the really stormy grey but mild day there was an amazing turnout with 20+ Voles on parade at Ruxox for the regular task of cutting the vegetation at this famous Bedfordshire landmark heritage site.
When I arrived, a bit late as usual, a medieval style scene was before me, a long line of rakers filled the Ruxox ditch as far as the eye could see while the distant chug chug of the jolly blue mower could be heard as Dave the Moffat (in charge for the day) negotiated the banking. It always amazes me how quickly a job gets done by the Voles. I know that we were only cutting one side of ditch but in the "good old days" in the distant past we were lucky to do half of the ditch in a whole day. On this occasion we were all done by before noon and were able to tranship to Steppingly.
First tea call was taken on time, despite the lack of a tea pot, and Malcolm's special spicy bread pudding vanished very quickly.
Here at Ruxox we found a pair of medium sized Common Toads and watched a love triangle of Skylarks disputing territory in the adjoining field. Near the entrance to the farm there were several large flocks of Starlings who seemed to be passing through. In the same horse field we noted several pumpkin size puffballs ( I had thought they were pumpkins!)
At Steppingly we parked under a Horse-chestnut Tree and there were soon gathering in two large bags of conkers. These will be planted at Sandy Smith near the base fence as part of the plan to put in many thousand trees. At the same time "Mower" Moffat was off again like a F1 rocket and it was not long before the fairly large patch of meadow that remained uncut was lying flat ready for raking. We had a short interruption for lunch but very soon afterwards the second task of the day was completed and the Voles dispersed again. Fortuitously we were able to collect a few apples. During the final minutes of raking I noticed a little ball of grass and picking it up noticed a tiny furry little vole-like creature nestling in it and then several more near the nest place. Richard Laurence tells me these "voles" were in fact Wood Mice! We placed the nest back with occupants and hope there is a happy ending.
Thanks go again to TWF for another curry hotpot and also to Audrey for delivering a hot apple and pumpkin pie.