Good bye Grazers
Written by David Winslow
28th November 2017
Photograph courtesy of Sarah Frith
The cows have done a fantastic job grazing this year and some of the reserve is starting to get poached by hoof prints a little too much. DWT will be taking them off tomorrow ready for their move up to Allestree Park. All cows will be gone by the end of the day. Also, if any of you are interested in helping with a grazing rota on Allestree Park, let me know.
A huge thank you for your help this year, Both DWT and I appreciate your help checking the cattle.
Kind regards
David Winslow | Community Parks Officer | Community Leisure | Communities and Place | The Council House, Corporation Street, Derby, DE1 2FS | 01332 641549 | 07812 300570 | Minicom 01332 256666 |
Grazing Cattle
Written by Hans Rieder
29th October 2017
The animals will be returning to Darley and Nutwood Local Nature Reserve on Monday (09.10.2017).
We have learnt a lot from the conservation grazing process over the past three years and this year. After taking on board your comments, we will be working slightly differently.
Last year's feedback asked us to ensure clear signage at each entrance stating the number of animals and who to contact in the event of a problem. Also, we were asked to bring more animals on the Reserve for a shorter period of time so the perception is that the Reserve is not ‘out of bounds' for long periods. Lastly, the communication between DWT farmers, DCC Parks and stock checkers be current to avoid any confusion if animals are taken off the Reserve early.
There will be 11 cattle on site in total for around one month. They will be made up of 9 Highlands (3 calves) and 2 Belted Gallowa
Evidence of Wood Mice
Written by Hans Rieder
10th March 2012
Keith Dodd found this small hole surrounded by the empty shells of hawthorn berries on the Nature Reserve this week. The hole is about an inch across. When talking to Steve Lonsdale at the Derbyshire Mammal Group, they agreed that it is most likely the work of a wood mouse? There are many similar piles around, but this was the only one with a burrow.
The Derbyshire Mammal Group carried out a survey three years ago when several wood mice were found. They seem to do well at present.
The wood mouse can be recognized by its sandy brown fur and its white/grey underside. It has protruding eyes, large ears and a long tail. It is between 80 and 100 mm long not including the tail, which can be between 70 and 95 mm.
A wood mouse (Amopodemus sylvaticus) can weigh between 12 and 25 grams and eats seeds, green plants, fruits and animal foods. In mixed deciduous woodland they eat acorns, ash and sycamore seeds for most of the winter, buds in early spring, caterpillars, worms and centipedes in early summer and blackberries and fungi in the autumn.
