Engineering Works

The footpath work is coming on great but will take at least another month to get it near to finished. The picture, left, shows the path that has been cleared and edged ready for the dolomite infill.




The Borough Engineers visited the site and were very concerned about the top lake and the trickle down ( small waterfall ) . It looks like the top lake is leaking out but not over the trickle down but through the ground around it and the bridge. They are concerned that it might at sometime cause the land to move, which would be disastrous for the lake . A major engineering solution is being put in place that will mean a new trickle down being constructed, stabalising of the hillside and a type of dam built in the lake at the top of the trickle down.






In the wood chippings that we spread around the path near West Beck Way, there is a large colony of fungi sprouting up, they look like Yellow Fieldcap, pictured right.

Lots of plants are starting to flower now, Herb Robert and Herb bennet are appearing as well as Cuckoo Flower ( Lady's Smock ) in the damper areas near the lakes.

They are lots of Orange Tip butterflies around and also a Holly Blue was present this week in the brilliant sunshine .







Holly Blue Butterfly.

International Dawn Chorus Day

On Sunday last we had an early start for the dawn chorus walk. Unfortunately the weather was not good at all, we started off with the threat of rain but managed to hear, Robin, Starling, Blackbird and Blue Tit. As we entered into the Dell we where able to pick up the songs and calls of Chiffchaff, Wren, Long Tailed Tit, Song Thrush, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird and Blue Tit as well as the ever present Woodpigeon.

We had been gone for about an hour when everything went dark and the heavens opened. All the birds stopped singing and we headed back to the langdale centre a lot wetter !
A great breakfast was put on by the Tees Forest which was appreciated by all, tea, coffee, croissents etc.








Yesterday was a much better day and very warm. There appears to be three Mallard families, one pair with eight chicks ( lost one ) one with three chicks and the other with two chicks that look older than the others.
I have found two Moorhen nests, one of which is right out in the open and might come in for some attention from the youths !
Other birds I've seen showing nesting behaviour are, a Chiffchaff carrying nest material, Long Tailed Tits carrying food back and forth, Dunnock carrying moss and diving down into the brambles.