Ash Gates
At last, they are finished and in place. These ash gates are based (loosely) on the traditional gate-hurdle with draw peg joints for the stiles and bars. As a contemporary twist (literally) I’ve included adjustable Read more…
Hornets, Jackdaws and a Sweet Chestnut
Hornets have taken over the jackdaw’s nesting site (the young jackdaws, thankfully, having fledged). I’m very fond of hornets; they’re surprisingly docile and just seem to go about their business. A few do get into Read more…
Letter Cutting
There’s no better discipline for refining woodworking skills than letter cutting. I’ve been practising the craft (or is it art?) for many years now, but I’m still learning. However, it has so much more to Read more…
Small Skipper
Huge numbers of small skipper today and a (silver-washed?) fritillary escaped my camera – yet again!
The Edge Effect
‘Where two ecosystems are linked by a transitional area and the number of species and the population density are greater than either of the adjacent communities’. In the last few weeks, It has become increasingly Read more…
The New Plantation in Early Summer
As spring turns into summer, the new plantation has really started to flourish. it’s just over 4 years ago now since the finger-height saplings were planted, and It’s difficult to remember the dark and lifeless Read more…
Tawny Owlet
Just managed to catch this charming little owlet before it popped back into the nest box. She looks ready for branching, so will be soon scrabbling about in the trees close by. I’m not sure Read more…
Reed Sculpture at Hickling
A lovely spring day at Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Hickling Reserve. We started the day practising knots and learning how to handle and grade Norfolk reed. This was followed up by some very impressive sculptural constructions. Read more…
Bracken Whipping
Bracken can dominate a new plantation, outcompeting young saplings and collapsing onto tree guards in autumn bringing them to the ground. There is plenty of evidence that crushing the bracken stems with a tractor-driven roller Read more…
Next Winter’s Log Stack
A bit late with the log stack this year, but with the best of the drying weather still to come, it should be just fine. Technically, the log stack is built in a windrow configuration, Read more…