Pytchley Marsh @ Easter

The Moorhen has returned to the Marsh, & a Chiffchaff’s plaintive 2 note call was heard nearby. 

Ashlawn Update 6-4-12

Its something of a shock to find us back with winter weather, but during the recent warm spell we had local sightings of Small White, Orange-tip, Holly Blue, and Specked Wood.

A Garden Warbler was heard in the cutting and a Stoat was seen near Onley Lane.

 

Ashlawn Update 23-3-12

We have now virtually completed the work on the Pytchley Marsh and will be diverting our attention to tidying up other areas in the cutting.

The frogs have now finished spawning and presumably are heading back home to the gardens nearby.

I think it was a very poor year for spawning as many of the pools they have previously used were dry or encroached by vegetation. My counts indicate less than half the spawn set compared to 2008

The good news was that they have started to use the marsh again where 93 frogs were counted on 2nd March and by 5th there were 30 clumps of spawn.

The greater numbers in nearby Reservoir Pond were good to see but it didn’t make up for the loss of other pools in the cutting.

As the weather has warmed up the overwintering butterflies have emerged from hibernation and Brimstone, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock are on the wing.

To check out what was seen in the Cutting follow our link to Butterfly Conservation –  Warwickshire website & view ‘by location’ Ashlawn North or South s on the recording pages.

You can also add your own sightings here which once vetted will go on to the county database. You can even put in records from other places in Warwickshire including your garden.

Look in the warm sunny spots out of the breeze and near a nectar source such as Pussy Willow, Dandelion & the similar looking Coltsfoot.

Also just flying are the Bee-Flies which look like a bee but have a short proboscis sticking out in front.

We were pleased to get a positive report of Grass Snake seen basking in the cutting on  22nd March.

Violets are also just starting to show, and things will move on fast now if the weather forecast is correct.

Keep your eyes open.

Pytchley Marshes

I just wanted to say thank you & WELL DONE! We just went for a
walk along the Great Central Walk old railway line & saw all the work
you’ve been doing down there on Pytchley Marshes….FANTASTIC! It looks
great! It’s brilliant: the chopping back you have done will let light in
& encourage even more wildlife! It also makes it more accessable.There
were loads of frogs spawning everywhere & the noise of them was
suprisingly loud! We even saw some tiny fish. Carry on the good work, it is
certainly much appreciated by us! 

Alex Davies of Rugby

Copulation Chaos

If you go down to the marsh today…… For the next ten days the marsh will be alive with the sight & sound of frogs and toads breeding.  It is quite a spectacle!  Reservoir pond had at least 200 amphibians alone, yesterday.

Work Parties & Chipping

Thursday, both Rugby local group & Nature Force worked together .  They divided into two groups.  One group were brush cutting & clearing between Ashlawn Road bridge and Onley Lane. The other group worked at the Marsh clearing brash for the chipper.

Clearing the brash

 

 

Building bridges

 

 &

Chipper in action

 

It’s looking good

 

Opening up the path

18th January 2012 – Nature Force volunteers carried out clearance either side of the path at one turning point, as the route was becoming rather dark.

Trimming the trees This allows them to be separated ready for laying Discussing the course of action

 

 
Discussing the course of action

 

Roger & Dave want to get it right!

 

 
The lain trees, ready for staking & binding!

 

Moving the Bonfire Site

To pacify our ‘neighbours’ we have moved the fire sites further down the cutting towards Onley Lane and are limiting the number of times as well as checking conditions above the cutting to see if the weather is suitable.  Perhaps if we get the Crematorium built they would like some bio-fuel!  They will burn it for us.

Carting brash along to the fire site

 Getting it out the bag

Off loading the bag
 
 
Emptying the bag
 
Clearing the bag