Otters, Chiffchaff and board walks

A recent sighting of 4 otters in Gur Beck, close to Spurrell’s Wood was one topic of conversation at the work party on 19th April; as was the sight of a Chiffchaff collecting straw for its nest (they are ground-nesting, I learned) amongst the brambles on the Surveyor’s Allotment.

Further entertainment was provided by three volunteers kneeling on the board walk trying to staple down some very recalcitrant chicken wire.

Other volunteers raked clearings, scythed footpaths, created more dry hedges, cleared grass around roadside orchids and put up the remaining, newly-refurbished nest boxes.

All in all, a very pleasant morning’s work with good conversation and restrained swearing over the chicken wire.

The next work party is at West Beckham Old Allotments on Thursday May 5th.