River Ouse with ice flows

Back to the reserve after the snow

Selby abby

First day back after being snowed in for a week and the reserve had a magical look about it.  The paths were all deep in snow and this had to be cleared in areas of heavy footfall.

So the day was spent insuring that the paths around the cafe leading off into the reserve were cleared of snow.

A few trees had been report to have started to come down from the mass of snow on them and so these had to be made safe and put out the way

Snow on the ground and fewer volunteer s’ are to be found

Ok so the title might be seen as a bit harsh.  It is a few day before Christmas and the there also happens to be snow on the ground.

Iced over pond in the morning 

The morning started clear and bright, after scrapping off the snow from the car and sliding onto the road from the drive and heading down a empty motorway and fun long walk down a black ice capped access road to the mess room. 

The icy access road

The path outside the café was also equally iced over and with a limited amount of rock salt, spades were first used to chip off the ice layer before salting.

Frozen seed head

It then turned out that the access road needed to be taken on again this time armed with tools to clear up and make tidy piles the lower branches of trees lining the mother drain, to allow the internal drainage board access to dredge.   

Iced over pond in the afternoon, covered in fresh snow

 With most of the job completed ( a little was saved for the jobs fund people to do tomorrow) it was time for a late lunch and the volunteers Christmas party.  As party time drew near i made my excuses and left as a heavy snow fall started and after checking on the status at home I decided to make tracks in the falling snow and get home.

Boats locked in ice on Selby canal

After the coldest night in 20 years in the area

Icicles behind the café

After taking off a few inches of snow from the car and breaking through the ice holding the locks shut, it was a nice sunny drive to Doncaster.

Frozen for freshness

Swans on the ice by the reserve entrance

The night had been the coldest in over 20 years for the area and the day did not warm above zero degrees Celsius.   Due to the cold I was wrapped up in salopettes and a ski jacket to keep out the cold.  Due to the cold nature of the day i put out extra rations at the feeding station and watched as a pair of swans slide over the ice to try and get some grain.

Snow caped thistle

After trying to complete a tool shed inventory check, but disbanding due to the cold affecting the lighting and making it to dark to see inside the container it was time to check on the sheep.  They were in the furthest section of the field and to ensure their welfare it meant jumping the fence and walking round to that section of the field.  A head count and ensuring no lameness later I continued my walk round the site. 

Dear Santa Chinese lantern

 

Oak tree

It was a very scenic if cold day for walking as all the ponds had iced over during the night and though this limited the amount of life on the ponds it did provide a different backdrop and some interesting ice patterns to look at.  Whilst walking round I chatted with visitors and checked for any vandalism to the hides.

There was no further progress on the removal of the regeneration today as I did not fancy being on my knees on a sub zero day, that had resulted in all the access points to the compound freezing shut and needing forcing to gain entry.

 

Bang and the alders gone - 17/12/09

Every one else had thursday off apart from me so i did a number of smaller tasks.

The day started with making sure the feeding point was stocked up, with nuts and grains.

Grey squirrel has some peanuts, with a pheasant in the background

 

Woodpecker on the feeder

 Swans eating grain

  

Rat coming out for some feed

 

Old mans beard

There was an area of scrub clearance that had started to regenerate along the mother drain.  I was left the task of removing this alder regrowth with loppers.  Whilst clearing the area the wind suddenly picked up and a heavy snow shower started, fortunately most of the area had been cleared and I retreated into the warmth.

 

Alder regeneration before clearance

 

Bang and the alders gone

 

Cold coffee any one?