January
Given the many plans coming into fruition, January started cold but optimistic.
Fences and gates - 27th January.
Another "last stretch of fencing" was completed today, this being post-and-rail.
This is subtly distinct from the "last stretch" completed on the 11th.
Gates were also hung, being new field gates - unlike the reused cast-offs from other parts of Portsmouth, which constitute most of our kissing gates.
Horses and Aberdeen Angus - 25th January.
The land below fort Southwick was today occupied by 5 cob horses, and a number of Aberdeen Angus cattle. These animals are owned by a local farmer. The service of grazing is paid for by feeding the livestock, in a perfect agreement
"Spot the bull" - Guided walk on the 20th January.
We walked around, seeing the Highland cows and some dairy cattle on the south of the hill. Then a wonder thorough the Southwick estate forest, noting fungi and flora.
Betty was fetched - and a wheel fell off our trailer. 19th January
The cows come home - 17th January
On the 17th, the Hampshire roving herd of Highland Cows came back for some winter grazing. We'll have them for a month or two, until the end of February or some time in March.
This year, we have an extra beast, a steed called Fred.
We now have Fred, Wilma, Betty, Heather, Bracken and Primrose. (Barney is at Hayling)
Betty refused to come today, so was fetched on Wednesday 19th January.
The man from the press arrived the following day, resulting in a good article in the Wednesday 19th January copy of the Portsmouth News.
Student Survey - 16th January
While the sunday team continued to fell holm oak in compartment 9, 2 students from Winchester college turned up to start a survey of the results of cattle grazing. They took a number of measurements of grass length and density, and will return regularly while the cattle graze.
"The Bailey Brothers" scrub-clearance demo - 12th January
Funding from the MOD to maintain the land owned by them and managed by us, allows the hiring of contractors with "really big kit" to pull up and remove swathes of scrub.
On a volunteer-Wednesday, one such machine came to give us a quick demo. This was probably the first time they'd worked while surrounded by fascinated spectators and photographers :-o
Sadly, dropping huge scrub root-balls of soil onto the fire meant it was a 3-day task to burn it all, but most was ash by the weekend.
"click here" for a 5Mb movie of a JCB pulling the scrub out
"click here" for a 5Mb movie of a JCB pulling the scrub out (continued)
The last stretch of netting - 11th January
Compartment 7 is the last of 10 compartments to be fenced, to complete the 10 year fencing program.
Fencing includes netting, wiring and gates.
On a bitterly cold Tuesday, Pete (with some help from me) completed the last stretch of netting.
Just a few posts and gates remain to be done.
