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The sheep have left us, two weeks before time. The first weekend they were here, a dog got into the Dell and savaged one sheep so badly it had to be put down. We put up a whole lot of new highly visible notices asking dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead in these fields, and the sheep returned to contented grazing.
Then last weekend vandals broke down part of the stock fence, so the sheep were no longer secure. The fence was repaired, but it was decided that because the well being of the sheep is paramount, it would be wise to move them away.
It is really sad that such mindless actions have put a stop to this regular event which has been going on for the last six years.
Our 2010 project – Re-lay the gravel paths.
Even though we had spent a lot of time and effort planting up the flower beds, the effect was spoiled by the gravel path, which was covered in weeds and moss.
TRDC paid for the materials, and we provided the highly skilled workforce!
Slideshow of the work as it progressed
Hover your mouse over a picture to pause the display
Once again we have been awarded a Green Flag for the Chorleywood House Estate. This is a prestigious national honour, and we are delighted to have received it for a second year.
To learn more about the Green Flag awards, visit their website www.greenflagaward.org.uk. Chorleywood comes under the East of England Region.
Max Green has taken these pictures of the signal crayfish found in the River Chess close to Chorleywood House (just down from the football club). Originally from the States, they were farmed over here and escaped into local waters, including the Chess.
Apparently they taste rather nice but they destroy local wild life!
The Community Wood planted in 1995 has done so well that there are now too many trees close together. In order to allow the finest saplings to grow to good mature trees, it is necessary to remove some of the trees, prune the remaining ones and remove scrub. This work is being done by Three Rivers during April, and in addition rides are being cleared through the wood to create pleasant shady paths. During the month there will be a certain amount of noise and disruption, but the results will provide a delightful mature wood for many years to come.
Water vole
Courtesy Herts & Middlesex Wildlife TrustWater voles
The results of the 2009 water vole survey carried out by the Water Vole Recovery Project (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust) record water voles along the stretch of the river nearby ‘for the first time since 2003, with a significant increase in levels of activity from then’.
Grass snakes
There are also quite a few grass snakes on the estate. They favour the dense cover along the river but they can sometimes be seen basking in the sun during the first warms spell of spring.
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