More fencing, exciting tractors and bugs

The Ranger team have been getting all excited over new tools and machinery this week. We finally got to use all of our new fencing tools, strainers and crimps earlier this week. Once we had all the chains and hooks figured out it made the job so much easier and quicker. We manged to get the wire so taut we could get a nice note from it when we plucked it!

Andy and I using the new stock netting strainers. 

We have also had a contractor in mowing the Reach Lode bank at Burwell Fen. John and Ruby have been telling me all about his tractor ever since. To have a look go to John's twitter account at: https://twitter.com/Vision_Warden

There have been interviews for our long term volunteer placements this week, both with the countryside and the grazing sections of the ranger team. It's been great to meet so many enthusiastic people with a real passion for conservation and the outdoors. We've got some tricky decisions to make now. While we were walking one candidate around the boardwalk we came across this little fella, who I am informed will be a drinker moth:

A drinker moth caterpilla found enjoying the warmth of the boardwalk.

And finally, if you haven't already seen the insect hotel Lois and I helped the students to build at Waterbeach School as part of their Science week, go to the Anglesey and Wicken Community blog at:http://wickenandangleseycommunity.blogspot.co.uk/ It ispossibly the best one we've ever built. It has a chimney.