Author Archive

Sunday, February 27th, 2011 | Author:

view over the mere, through the rain

Sunday morning, the rain has come,  the maintenance crew have had their monthly exercise and left for home and a well-earned rest.  Here’s a view through the rain, over the mere, from the birdhide.

Appearing between the two willow trees is our willow sculpture, at an early stage and forming  one of a series of temporary installations  to be created around St Albans during February and March.

……. and as seen from the Albanway cyclepath, under construction. What is it?  Rotary washing line, organic satellite dish ?  You may well ask   …  more details to be provided in our next newsletter.

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Monday, December 20th, 2010 | Author:

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year from the Watercress Wildlife Association ………..

and could this be evidence of someone who should have used the main gate ……?

Stick to dry land in the future, even if it is covered with snow !

Saturday, November 06th, 2010 | Author:
Saturday 6th November.
 

The usual peace and tranquillity broken by the frenzied squawk of a small group of parakeet!
Eventually seen off by equally vociferous magpie
Sunday, August 29th, 2010 | Author:

The swans are back, chasing away allcomers. Even the heron….
.

and the WWA are crowned Water Vole Champions by the Herts and Middx Wildlife Trust……

but just where are they? Answers on a postcard please.

 

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Sunday, April 25th, 2010 | Author:
after a long absence, I’ve remembered the password and can include two pics from today’s site visit.
First Chaenomeles, not native plant, but legacy of many years of cultivation.
Second is Speckled Wood butterfly taking brief rest in welcome sunlight……
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Sunday, July 27th, 2008 | Author:
bee…

………….. hoverfly

sundry flies

Gatekeeper….

Comma….

Large white

The developing butterfly area is attracting……… butterflies!

Meanwhile a new colour has appeared in the mere

this looks more like a fuzzy satellite image.

Was actually taken 1.5m above water level!

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Sunday, January 27th, 2008 | Author:


Sunday January 27th

Snowdrops have appeared along the riverbank. Maybe early, but about the same time as last year.

 

 

 

 

After due consideration of the Health and Safety policy and a detailed risk assessment, intrepid volunteers scale the site uplands looking for early flowering alpines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…….and back at base camp by the lake, the traditional launching of straw into the water.

 

 

There is a perfectly good reason for this activity. If you want to know more, contact us via the website!
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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 | Author:

Activity on site Sunday morning. Most creatures naturally adopt a pose to reduce the effects of the prevailing wind.

About a month ago (early October) we noticed this unseasonal growth on a Ribston’s Pippin. Our first sign of spring?


It has managed to develop one stage further. Tasting not recommended.

Sunday, May 27th, 2007 | Author:

First thanks to Sam for the previous photos. Like dancing pandas, things only seem to appear when I turn my back.
On site on a very wet Sunday to look at things……
and I always have to remind myself that this patch of tranquillity is only 10 minutes walk from the city centre.

It’s taking a lot of effort to create the seasonal pond………….

and it will be a particularly attractive feature, believe me!

No more suggestions for the shape though, it’s supposed to look natural.

Category: birds, news, pondlife  | Leave a Comment
Tuesday, April 10th, 2007 | Author:

Sunday 8th April
more visitors than usual for a Sunday…. probably because the local DIY stores were closed!
marsh marigold

and fritillary in abundance (at least six)

it must be spring