Return to The Ercall

"There's good news and there's bad news Paul", Les explained.

Friday, October 9, 2009 saw The Wrekin Forest Volunteers meet opposite the Buckatree Hotel to scrub-clear part of one of the quarry areas. Four of us volunteered to be the advance party in order to set up the fire for scrub burning along with preparing the area for the now famously unique, edible, soft-centred black rock often found in the area, otherwise known as bonfire spuds!

"What's the good news then Les?" I asked slightly bewildered.

"Well..." Les began, sporting that huge grin that I've come to know precedes something momentous, "You've got a great fire burning"

"But?"

"But, it's in the wrong quarry!"

How did we do that? As I write this I can hear the other members of the advance party; Liz, Nigel and Graham saying in unison; "Hang on - what's with the 'WE'? You led us there!"

OK. OK. I accept full responsibility. I don't know how it happened, there was no doubt in my mind that it was the site of last year's bonfire in Quarry 3. However, the scrub clearance was taking place in Quarry 2. Did it matter? Well... as Pete explained this area was also in the programme for scrub-clearance but not for today. We just switched things around.

Well... the weather was great. The spuds were even better!

Whilst I get set for an attempt at pole-vaulting over the flames and Alistair prepares for the annual WuFuV Fire-Dance Ritual designed to ensure that the gods bless us with a winter of safe and successful fires without destroying too much woodland...

...the remainder of the team do something worthwhile and cut down the scrub!

Well... all that is, except Cameron who tries to follow Alistair with the dance-ritual but what's this? Oh no! He's facing away from the fire! That'll never work!

Or maybe, just maybe Les has launched a drop-kick on the poor unsuspecting lad. You mean you haven't heard about The Coalbrookdale Cage-Fighting Team? You have been warned. I'll say no more!

We were then invited to look at Penny's Liver-Wort.

Now, I have to say, as I walked over to where a small party was now gathering around Penny, I was expecting Penny's Liver Wort to be perhaps a funny little freckle on the back of her hand and couldn't help wondering why that should attract such interest and attention. But then.. for the third time that day - I had it wrong! And before you ask - no - I'm not taking a small libation as I write. I think you all know my drinking motto which I stick to religiously; 'I never drink before 6pm unless I have one during the day!' Don't knock it - it's always worked for me!

Anyway, it was this little beauty:-

Isn't that just fab! But doesn't it look like someone's fingers have just pushed through a well-worn glove? Are you sure there's no body buried underneath it?!

It turns out to be Peltigera hymenina - credits go to Penny, Les and Wild About Britain for due diligence in ID'ing. Wild About Britain by the way, is a really great website with accompanying forum for posting pics and obtaining ID's.

And then it was time for spuds.

A productive day in terms of species we came across whilst working on the scrub. Liz disturbed a resting Sallow Moth - unless anyone wants to challenge this ID? It's very badly worn and it could actually be a Pink-barred Sallow. Anyone? Les? Nigel? Pete? Tony - are you there? For those who don't know Tony Jacques by the way, he's the County Moth Recorder for Shropshire, who follows this blog and accompanies us on some of our infamous moth nights. His vast knowledge of moths goes back some 30 years or more (gosh! That must make him at least 40 years old - who would have thought?) - oh and by the way he likes to keep out of the limelight and protect his anonymity so you won't find his name mentioned here at all. Oh!

Liz also found this larva, perhaps you can help on this one too Tony?

And I think it was Brian who found the Green-Shield Bug

All pics for this blog post come courtesy of Les as I forgot my camera that day - so that was four things I got wrong!

And then it was time to pack up and head home. Doesn't time fly when you're enjoying stuff?

See you all soon!
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Dothill Walk

Thanks again to Keith for this short but excellent report:-

Tuesday, 29th September 2009
Around two dozen gathered outside Dothill School for a walk, led by Pete, around the Dothill area. Peter briefed us about the threats from development hanging over the area and that it was a desire to protect the area as a green space and wildlife area. Councillor Brittain was with the group: she informed us about the plans for the Dothill Flats (colonised by noctule bats) and about the possibility of organising a Friends group.

We walked around Dothill Pool, stopping at various points as Peter explained the local wildlife issues. He was so interesting that a cygnet listened in for a while.

At one stage Peter was asked to stop to discuss the “mugger”. Several of us were bemused when the talk was not of providing protection for the folk of Dothill from the aforementioned miscreant but about a sports area and where it should be placed. Slowly the mists cleared and we realised that the topic under discussion was a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area). As with all such facilities, wherever the planners want to site it, someone will object and this one is no exception.

The walk continued and we had lively discussions about the waste water entering one of the other pools at Dothill, then we moved on to the “great crested newt” pool. Peter explained how the balance between wild edges to the pool and its need for light needed to be balanced. In addition there is a need for a 500 metre zone of rough vegetation around the pool for the newts to enjoy life.

Those friends of Flanders and Swann amongst us will be heartened to know that the “Bedstead Men” that they immortalised in song had struck and deposited a shopping trolley in the pool.

We meandered on, reaching the scene of the great frog massacre. This is an area of meadow next to Tee Lake managed for the benefit of wildflowers. Unfortunately the optimum time for cutting coincided with the migration of frogs and toads from the neighbouring pool. The frogs and toads lost. An example of the difficult balancing act we have to perform whist giving nature a helping hand! As if on cue a small toad hopped into view – so there were some survivors - phew.

The walk continued around Tee Lake then back to the starting point passing a rather splendid apple tree full of red ripe apples that provided a snack for many of the walkers.

Keith Fowler

Coppicing and Working Horses in the Ercall LNR

Message from The Bloggger...
I'm indebted once more to Keith Fowler for this blog post who strolled up to the stage and keyboard as I regrettably miss another day out with the Wrekin Forest Volunteers

So... over to Keith (all pics by Keith unless otherwise stated)

Coppicing and Working Horses in the Ercall LNR

Pic by Graham Statham

After a spring and summer of wandering, looking, (mis)identifying, recording and just generally enjoying the many wildlife sites we are blessed with in Telford it was back to practical conservation in the Wrekin Forest, i.e. cutting down trees.

For once I came under my own steam and parked in the Forest Glen car park where I made early acquaintance with Geoff/Jeff the wonder-horse who was to work the woods with us whilst he was enjoying some pre-work grooming. I then noticed the Trust mini-van miss the car park and carry on towards Little Wenlock. Fortunately Alistair cycled by and told me we were meeting at the end of the path to the coppice. So off I trotted after the van.

We assembled in the area coppiced last year. On the other side of the path children from one of our local schools were enjoying themselves learning about woodland skills on a course run, so I believe, by the Wildlife Trust.

First things first – the fire ritual. Kindling was found, paper rolled and Peter lit the first fire of the season. And it lit first time … improvement.

Peter then told us what our task was to be: to coppice a second area (cant – I think he called it) neighbouring the one from last year. We walked around the border then, being the first session of the season and with a few new faces, Peter gave instructions for the tools. He also put us on strict limits for the size of tree we could remove – no larger than the circle created by thumb and finger. Our hearts sank – but they were raised when Peter said that we would cut down the larger ones at a later session.

Tea makers and fire tenders were posted

And the rest of us set about removing the undergrowth from the coppice area. Meanwhile Geoff/Jeff removed a few logs then basked in his glory as small group after small group of the schoolchildren came up to admire and stroke him.

And before long it was elevenses, more work, then lunch

But no cake … except for those burnt by King Alfred

Some of our group had the opportunity to load and drive Geoff/Jeff who proved to be very patient with us especially when his logs snagged, bringing him to a sudden halt, or when we garbled our commands. Others converted the wood that had been felled into hedging materials.

The day soon passed. It was a gentle reintroduction into our winter routine, made all the more pleasurable by the clement weather and the Geoff/Jeff’s presence – long may he continue to work.

Editor's comment: Olly looks on as man takes photo of horse devouring a volunteer!
Sorry... just couldn't resist it!
Photo supplied by Graham Statham

Thanks once more Keith for the article. I'm back this Friday all being well!

Oh... before I go... the 'Where Is It Competition' - the prize for which is a 2-week all expenses paid holiday in Hawaii or one my gifts from my box of giveaways ( I choose) - is proving to be a real stinker with 2 or 3 suggestions already made but no-one's yet near the mark, so I'm giving yet another clue:-

It's not far from Llodirlsh

Other clues to date you may recall are:-

The location is very close to one of SWT's Nature Reserves.

19-10 CH00BA

And here's the pic once more

Come on! I've all but told you! Suggestions in Comments below
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