July

The tree nursery stock is growing. Here are the oaks grown from the acorns collected from some of the oldest trees we have. We also have hazel, crab apple, willow, horse chestnut and hawthorn on the way. The nursery even includes a cork oak and an oak whose roots have been exposed to truffle spores. In time we will plant them out, but for now we’ll keep them safe.

 

The area of grassland that we fenced off in June to allow it to grow has been surprisingly rich in flowers, we may not need to sow as much wildflower seed as we first thought.

We will collect the seed from this area to use elsewhere, especially around the latest pond.

The latest pond is close to being ready for lining. It has been a big and dusty job but we can already imagine the biodiversity value of the end result. How quickly life finds water is incredible. I heard that due to the occasional, temporary nature of pools and ponds (no reliable inflow means they can dry up) the plants and animals that call them home have evolved to move with great efficiency. Dragonflies, frogs, newts, diving beetles, water boatmen, and countless other invertebrates arrive within days, weeks and months.

It’s the same with the meadows: the noise of the insects when you stand amongst the long grasses and wildflowers compared to an area cut short is remarkable!

All those tasty insects and seeds for the birds, good hunting for the swallows that come all the way from Africa each year.