Work & walking Party Thursday November 26th

Last Thursday around 8 members and friends came along to one of our Work Parties to clear Willow and brush from the eastern end of Pixie Wood. The sphagnum area is drying due to willow growth. Loppers were used to cut the young willows. These were piled to create a fence nearby. About an acre was successfully cleared cleared.
A walking party also came along and strolled around part of the site on accessible paths led by Graham our Chair, followed by hot drinks in the Cabin very ably served by Jane and Margaret.

               Part of the Walking Party

We assemble in Pixie Wood 

The cleared area amounts to about an acre. A job well done until next time.

Next few meetings

Our next meetings and into 2016 are now on our Website  Our next two are Thursdays December the 3rd and 10th. We will be tree coppicing and fence installation around our new pond. All these start at 9:30 am.

Also on the 26th of November there was a walking party (only a mile or so) for the elderly or disabled on flat paths. Boots recommended after recent rain. 10:00 am start. Everyone really enjoyed the gentle walk. More dates on our Website HERE.

Thursday 19th

Cromwell Bottom would like to thank Steve Downing for his contribution to the reserve. We later showed Steve some of what we had done to improve the site for visitors and wildlife.

Today's Work Party November 14th 2015

15 volunteers came along to cut reeds this morning, A really big thankyou to all. No one got wet - it did not rain, we achieved what we wanted. A very pleasant lunch in the Cabin was a welcome break.
Bruce

2 of my images have been shortlisted in the Small World category of Outdoor Photographer of the Year 2015

The Burnet shot was taken at Cromwell Bottom.

Some of the reserves delightful birds

Over the last month, like many others I have met at Cromwell Bottom, I have continues to enjoy the Nuthatches and other birds. Here are a selection of what I have taken.

                                   Different Nuthatches continue to visit the two feeding stations

                                       Don't you just love these charasmatic chartacters

                                          It pays to keep a lookout when you are on the menue

                                             Not many Bullfinches coming down yet.

                 The Goldfinch is one of the birds that is doing well throughout the UK

                          We have quite a few Chaffinches coming to both feeding stations

 Some may think that the Dunnock is just a small brown job but I think they are special. Just look at the detail in the feathers

                                              The Coal Tit is a great active little bird

 This Great Spotted Woodpecker looked really disappointed when he found there were no nuts. They are visiting both feeding stations.

 This male Siskin was delightfull to see and even more delightful when it came down in front of the Viewing Station.

                          The Long Tailed Tit is many people's favourite small birds.

                                     The Jays are back and as hungry ( or is it as greedy) as every.

Kingfishers

As many of you know (the ones who listen to me blathering on) I've been trying to get a shot of a Kingfisher for ages. So long in fact I had time to write about it in a book which is available on Amazon. All money raised will be donated to Cromwell Bottom so what better reason is there to spend a couple of quid. It's a Kindle book but you don't need a kindle to read it just the kindle reader app which you can download for free and you can then download and read the book and critique the pictures of many Cromwell Bottom regulars. What a great Christmas Gift idea and all for a good cause.
The link to the book on Amazon is here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Year-Looking-Kingfishers-Steve-Midgley-ebook/dp/B0170GY7PK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1447093780&sr=1-1&keywords=a+year+looking+for+kingfishers

Steve

Reserve Consultation Results are here -  LINK