SNCV Inside Nature

Thursday 4th January 2024

After the atrocious weather dealt to the team by Storm Henk on Tuesday, the team today were welcomed to Anton Crescent Wetlands by a much more benign climate.

The team welcomed back one of our long standing members who has been away for a while, and it was clear that being back outside was an enjoyable experience for them.

To start, the team divided into two with one half focussing on cutting back the encroaching blackthorn in order to promote fresh growth while the other half cleared barrow loads of previously dredged reeds which had remained untouched since before Christmas.

After lunch the chainsaw was put to good use clearing the access path to the dipping platform, while other arisings were dragged the length of the site ready to be removed at a later date.

Finally the trailer load of arisings was hitched up for transporting to the waste transfer site just as the first drops of rain began to fall.

Pretty much a year since the start of lockdown 1, and putting up my first pic. The SNCV team out bashing the brambles and tidying the scrapes. It looks sunny, but the air temp was only 5oC so we’re all putting on a brave face here.

Wednesday 24th March 2021. First picnic of the year at the blossom filled wetlands.

Christmas Day stroll around the woodland, and the pond is filling up nicely.

Thursday 26th November 2020. Time to move the sheep to pastures new. Their work here is done.

Not sure on the variety of this fungus, but the sheep are definitely avoiding it.

Thursday 12th November 2020, early morning game of hide and sheep.

Wednesday 28th October 2020. All looking a bit sparse now, with the sheep making good progress on reducing the remaining sward.

Spotted during this morning’s sheep check. Look like shaggy inkcaps to me.

Spotted these whilst checking the sheep this morning. Can anyone identify it?

14th October 2020. Early morning rays captured whilst checking the sheep.

Tuesday 29th September 2020.
I could have sworn that there were only five sheep when I checked them this morning. Who snuck another two in?

Sunday 20th September. The boldest herdwick on the site will always check you out to see if you’ve brought any treats with you.

16/09/2020 Early Autumn now, and the sheep are back on Wellfield North. Flowers have all set seed, and the sheep are trying to keep up with the rapidly growing grass.

Even the sheep enjoy a lie-in on a sunny morning.

6th August 2020. The sheep are back on Wellfield North but look to have their work cut out. I just hope they like wild carrots.

Mary socially distancing in today’s showery conditions.

Plenty of seed heads forming on the kidney vetch now, along with a good showing of wild carrots.

Sunday 28th June 2020. Still some wildflowers in bloom, but more tall grasses around now. Plenty of grasshoppers and crickets in amongst the thatch though.

Sutton Ecology Centre - 15th June 2020

Tuesday 9th June 2020

Badgers getting bold now as the days lengthen.