High Batts - In at the Start project💙

High Batts- a membership SSSI nature reserve on the R.Ure next to a new sand & gravel quarry. IATS project- biomonitoring to help inform restoration decisions.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Many thanks to another great team of Muck-in members yesterday. There was much raking and young Hawthorn removal. Pennycroft now clear of tree guards down to the conifer belt! Work also included removing this Heath Robinson pond-filling setup. Yes that is a roll of vinyl.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

@swaledalebirds_ Look, no heads.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Many thanks to the great team of 15 Muck-in volunteers on Saturday. A great job done removing tree shelters in Pennycroft. Builders bags of plastic are not very photogenic, so here is a Spring sight.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Don't miss the tiny Moschatel or Town Hall Clock flowering before it gets overtaken by other plants. There are 2 stakes in the verge of the track to the car park, in a stretch of mature Blackthorn marking where it can be seen just through the hedge. @YWT_North @wildflower_hour

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Many thanks again to Muck-in volunteers, much of the material from pollarding Hawthorn is now in a dead hedge. Just a reminder that we are at peak Snowdrops!

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Thanks again to Muck-in members for Saturday's hard work. A reminder that the Snowdrops are looking stunning.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Many thanks once again to a great team of Muck-in volunteers, who did a couple of solid hours raking, followed by more planting in Penncroft.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Spindles are looking fantastic on the reserve and Pennycroft. Many thanks for Muck-in rakers on Saturday, all of North Clearing done.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

@carlinethis Here's to LUCT vols too!

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

The Spindle in Pennycroft is still looking amazing.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

An ecologists view of the dyke pond

[palustris @whiterosegreen]

This pond at High Batts NR near Ripon always produces interesting insects, key feature being deep fringe of Pointed Spear-moss. Of note today were diving beetles Agabus affinis (inset) & Hydroporus neglectus (Nationally Scarce) & tiny scavenger water beetle Chaetarthria simillima

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Reminder-High Batts reserve Free public Open Day is tomorrow, Jul 21st 10-4. Many activities including birdringing, results of overnight small mammal & moth trapping, pond dipping, guided walks. Free hot & cold drinks & homemade cake. See what practical conservation in action.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Many thanks to all the members who came for the Muck-in on Sat. A great effort in the drizzle, pulling some enormous balsam.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Another busy volunteer day at the reserve , pulling balsam & bashing bracken. You can definitely see where we've been! Following on from the great work done on the Muck-in morning on Saturday.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Lots of plants looking lovely at High Batts today: Giant Bellflower, and Yellow Pimpernel flowering on the ride- side, with Meadowsweet, Musk Mallow, St. John's Wort, and Wild Marjoram. Orchids still coming up, Pyramidals particularly.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Bit of a warm day for strimming and raking, but resulting in a better view from the Hotel hide on High Batts reserve.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

A fine display of Dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris) flowers near the bench in Hall's clearing. There are 30- 40 of these flowerheads, with pink buds opening to foamy white honey- scented flowers. Maybe fewer rabbits this year?

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

It will soon be peak flowering of the Rock Rose in the Silver Birch clearing on High Batts reserve, look at all those breaking buds.

[Carline💙 @carlinethis]

We are going for wet & dry @NosterfieldLNR habitat creation nursery. We've plenty of Great Water Dock (Rumex hydrolapathum) for the fen. Dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris) from seed collected from Thornborough middle Henge is coming into flower & will be returned to the Henge.

[High Batts - In at the Start project💙 @highbatts]

Treepopper useful even on small willow! Bluebells looking great, with just an occasional white flowered ones. Another busy volunteer day.