Slow-worms and Succession

I really enjoy this time of year, the transition from winter into spring brings so much change from day to day. One of the main joys about working outside is the constant exposure to the changing seasons, and the way in which this influences the wildlife around us.

Although we had a frost last night here in Norfolk it was relatively warm in the sun today. Whilst doing a bit of work on the woodland edge today we came across a slow-worm out in the sun.

I think it's a male as it doesn't have any stripes along it's back or sides.

Whilst at work today we were preparing an area of grassland just on the edge of the woodland that we're trying to convert into a wildflower meadow to provide a nectar source for the bees and the butterflies. Whilst preparing the ground I noticed that this area could be used to demonstrate the succession of native broadleaved woodland in a very condensed form.

On the far right of the image above is the area that we're going to be sowing with a wildflower mix. To the left of this is an area of scrub dominated by brambles and hawthorn and finally to the far left of the image is the area of semi-mature woodland dominated by oak with the odd silver birch. I think it could be used as a great educational tool for kids studying habitats at school once the meadow has established.

I'm hoping that we're going to be able to use seeds of a local provinance, there's a company just a few miles away who specialise in supplying native wildflower and grass seed mixes. We'll most likely use a neutral grassland mix for sandy soils.

Sharing Skills and Knowledge

Every Monday at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse I assist in running a woodland management volunteer team. Recently, as a bit of a change for them we ran a hurdle making workshop to teach them the skills needed to make their own gate hurdles (or more hurdles for us!).

It was a great opportunity to pass on the knowledge of hurdle making,teaching others also allowed me to practice the skills that I have recently learnt. We got some great feedback from it too; it seemed they really enjoyed learning the new skills, whilst having a bit of a change from our regular woodland work.

Adriaan with a hurdle made solely by the volunteers. 

It's nice to have the opportunity to share traditional skills in this way, being part of the Norfolk museums service it feels as though we have a responsibility to keep these skills alive.

I'm hoping to run more green woodworking workshops in the future.Hopefully workshops that will be open to the public in the not too distant future, so watch this space!

If you'd like to join in with our woodland management volunteer team please feel free to get in touch. We meet every Monday at 10am and work through until about 3:30 - 4 pm.