You will see some picture that show some of the progress made in the last few months.
The new pen at the beeches, made from fencing provided by Steve Mitchell, looks great and very robust.
The two game crops either side of this pen are in and coming through. A few pigeons are hanging out in the beech trees, but it does’t seem to be causing any problems. Anyone passing may well wish to pop in from blast or two or, using the Derek technique, simply clapping the hands.
The shoot hut continues to evolve with a door now in place and the shed beside it cleared out.
Taking a walk around I can see water hoses in both the beech pen and the birch pen which is a great effort, particularly the birch pen. This pen needs some tlc too, but I can report a massive growth a of grass and ferns around it which will provide superb cover when the birds arrive next month.
New ditches have been dug in the area of the new birch wood (I presume by Frank) which seems to be doing a great job of draining the area. Frank also seems to have cut the reeds in the field below the lodge, leaving a margin down by the gate of long grass next to the woodland.
The arm, which has had a realm of activity in it over the last few years is now a very changed beast. I don’t believe it will work in the same way as by gone years so we may need to think about how we drive it, but it certainly seems like a place a pheasant would want to hang out in with sun shine radiating the felled areas, easy access to walk down and the planted up areas providing shelter. I am going to get signs made to position on the gates to keep any “tourists” out of the area so we should hope for some improved shooting from this traditional drive.
Sandy has been busy planting up areas. The top of the hill (opposite the old car park on Keilor Road) is now planted up, as is Oliver’s field (opposite Frank’s) which also has new fencing.
Ken has drafted new shoot rules (apologies Ken that I haven’t reviewed them) which will be circulated before the end of the season.
As mentioned, Neil and his team have got the water in place for the pens. We have some auto-drinkers that will be placed in this pen so this should be great for retaining the birds in the early weeks.
Some brashing and clearing of beaters paths has also been undertaken by Walter and the Pajero has been repaired to become the new beaters vehicle.
The feeders and water “things” have all been collected, cleaned and numbered, a collection of tasks that took far more time than first planned. These will be re-positioned in the next week or two: Derek to supply his map and feeding strategy.
So lots of progress made, but some activities still outstanding. Please email when you have completed and begun something so I can update the task list. Please also review the list to see what is outstanding and whether you have got the credit you deserve for undertaking.
Sorry if I have missed anything out, but please add your comments below to highlight any thoughts or outstanding tasks.
Neil