It's that time of year again when we’ve been out and
about on the tractor carrying out further land management throughout the
valley. We’ve been busy flailing the edges of the meadows and ditch sides to
stop invasive, more dominant species from creeping out into the edges of the
flower rich meadows – such as Himalayan Balsam, Creeping Thistle and Common
Stinging Nettle. Flailing also helps maintain the areas that the local
farmers can cut for hay, furthering maintaining the amount of valuable
habitat. It also prevents such areas being taken over by willows or
hawthorn scrub, and helps maintain suitable spots for small mammals, hunting owls
and other predators, whilst also providing early and late season cover for
species such as Corncrakes and Quail.
Last week we were joined by our own flock
of Swallows feeding on the insects we disturbed on the vegetation as we went round
the ditches on Wheldrake Ings. Whilst on the tractor we’ve also been fortunate
to be able to enjoy a raptor spectacle, with a Red Kite, Marsh Harrier,
Buzzards, Kestrels and Hobbies all hunting over the freshly cut grass.
Whilst working in the meadows over the last few weeks we’ve also been seeing numerous frogs and toads – particularly
young ones. At this time of year as autumn approaches our frogs and toads are busy
feeding up on insects, slugs and spiders in preparation for the coming winter.
Later in the season with the cold weather fast approaching they will then start
to seek out a suitable spot to spend the next few months in, such as a log pile
or compost heap, some individuals also might choose to over winter at the
bottom of a pond, burying themselves underneath the silt. Frogs don’t hibernate
all winter like some creatures do, any mild patches of weather will usually
bring them out in search of food. This individual was photographed in the NNR
base garden as it made its way over the wildflower meadow, fortunately escaping
the clutches of the allen scythe!
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