Goodness me – Summer nearly over and Autumn looms; where has all the time gone? So much has happened so where to start? Probably where I left off last time here in the Newsletter.
The release of water voles on land near the Weir went very well. Around 125 animals were released – mainly along the river but with some around the new lake that the Proudfoot family has built. Thanks again to Faser for making us and the film team from the BBC2 “The Burrowers” programme so welcome. The voles seem to have established quite well and a good place to see them is just down from Hele Bridge where the river joins the canal. Dennis Vanstone managed to avoid appearing on the TV programme so here he is in action. Keeping a careful eye on his technique is Becky from Derek Gow Associates. Derek and his team provide the voles and also wildlife studio facilities for “The Burrowers” and other TV and film programmes.
Back in the Summer we had just completed the purchase of land at Lower Cann Orchard, between Stratton and Marhamchurch. We have been busy there making hay and more recently improving the land by clearing out existing drainage ditches and installing new ditches and drains with the invaluable help of Pete Siddle with his digger and the support of the Michael Vanstone team. We will next be installing electricity to the barns, mains water to the fields and fencing the pastures and the river frontage. And talking of the river, we will be releasing a further 100+ water voles on the 17th September. This time ITV will be covering the event for it’s “Countryside” series.
On and around the Commons things have progressed as the summer weather has been kind. We made hay from the bottom meadow and this has been added to that was gathered at our Upton ground and from Cann Orchard. We have added a further two rams to our sheep flock ready to go to the ewes at the end of October. “Edam” is a Zwartble ram and quite a big lad – you can see him in the little field in West Street where John Burrow’s two Jacob ladies are keeping him company for the time being. These two are probably beyond breeding age but if not, we may see some interesting offspring early next year! and we call him “Edam” as the breed originates from Holland!
“Thor” is the Gotland ram that has been sharing a field on the Commons with two of our ponies. He came to us together with 10 Gotland ewes from another owner in Cornwall who is downsizing her flock. Despite his quite scary name, he is the friendliest sheep you could wish for and once we have sorted out his feet he will be a fine addition to the flock.
The summerhouse been great for butterflies sand we have recorded at least 15 different species on the Commons. The Pearl Bordered Fritillaries are the most significant species so far but I am afraid I still cannot tell the greater from the lesser! this photo I am pretty sure is the greater of the two.
We hope that next year the Cornwall branch of Butterfly Conservation will spend more time assessing the potential of the Commons as a butterfly and moth site and give us more guidance as to how we can develop things in the future.
As we prepare for winter there are all the usual tasks to complete – feed for the animals to lay in, machinery to be serviced and stored in our new shed, the duck house to finish on the pond behind our offices, sheep to prepare for tupping (what a very quaint name that is for the act of reproduction!) and before we know it, the seasons will all start over again. But first of all there will be the winter so look out for our news then – it could include a very serious work of art, a visit from a famous Russian musician and who knows what else? And in closing, a welcome to our new staff member – Shaun Thomas. He has just completed his first month and I am sure wonders just what he has left himself in for! Whatever that may be Shaun, I can guarantee it will be unpredictable and hopefully, mostly enjoyable.
See you all on the Commons.
John Duncan