BEEn a bit BUZZy.

After being swarmed with paperwork I managed to vacate the hive and get out and about.
The Bluebells are out and look great, and we have completed various management tasks such as ; crown lifting, tree felling and strimming the flood bank. We have to keep the flood bank clear of vegetation so the water can flow off it smoothly.

Below is also a picture of the Honey Bee swarm which has taken up residence in a shrub in the gardens. We have cordoned it off to the public just in case they get disturbed. 

Opening up.

Ducklings at Rufford

Click on above link.

Whilst opening up this morning I was greeted by this lot!!! 12 ducklings in total.

Wild Sherwood 15.4.15

On Wednesday Wild Sherwood were left with a task of turning the remains of an old pond dipping platform into something that would be beneficial to the Wetland Conservation Area.

Above is what they had to work with.

They did a great job and below is an image of what they made. 

Two benches were made, one adult height bench and one child height bench, this is so people can sit on something whilst they are watching other pond dip.......and for us to sit on at lunch time.

As well as making these fantastic benches they started removing Ragwort from the path and levelled off an area for the wild bird seed mix, which will hopefully attract more birds from surrounding farmland.

Small Tortoiseshell

Easter egg hunt

Come to Rufford and find the eggs the Easter Bunny has hidden.

Can you find all 10 patterned eggs plus a special Golden egg?

£1 per Trail, car park charges apply, subject to availability, see tourist information for more details.

Spring has sprung

Whilst being set the task of finding signs of Spring one of the team managed to photograph an early Bluebell and a basking Peacock Butterfly. 
Other signs have included Long-Tailed Tits with nesting material and Chiffchaffs singing away at the tops of trees. 

Work experience

Recently we took on someone for a fortnights work experience. We were very happy with his work ethic and he was very hard working. He had to complete a list for his College of things he had done.
The list shows the variety of jobs we have to undertake with no week being the same.


I am currently studying at north Nottinghamshire College, and doing work experience at Rufford Country Park. Whist doing my placement I have carried out a large variety of tasks which I have enjoyed. Below is a list of those.

23.2.15

• Planting Roses

• Re-siting various shrubs and flowers

• Assisting with opening and closing the site.  

24.2.15

• Processed a fallen tree on the water side.

• Transported limestone around the site.

• Assisting with opening and closing the site.

25.2.15

• Assisted with the process of tree felling.

• Chainsaw maintenance.

• Assisting with opening and closing the site.

26.2.15

• Carried out limestone footpath repairs.

• Felled a dead tree in gardens.

• Collected brash from around the site.

27.2.15

• Checking orienteering posts around the site.

• Prepared new orienteering posts.

2.3.15

• Hedge laying 

• Helped open and close the site.

3.3.15

• Pruning Roses

• Assisted in relocating  an injured swan

4.3.15

• Transporting Limestone.

• Transporting tools around the site.

• Assisted with opening and closing the site.

5.3.15

• Carried out repairs to the children’s play area.

• Watered various plants around the site.

• Observed a tree specialist at work. 

6.3.15

• Carried out  repairs to the children’s play area

• Transported limestone around the site.