Inchgarth Nature Reserve photos 2001-2

The wild bird cover mix being drilled in May 2001. [Photo: Sam Alexander]

The bare, newly-sown crop in late May. Rooks predated the seed heavily. [Photo: Ian Francis]

By late June the crop was just beginning to grow. [Photo: Ian Francis]

By late July the Oil Seed Rape and Mustard were in flower. [Photo: Ian Francis]

By mid-August the crop growth was luxuriant and varied - Quinoa, Oil Seed Rape and Barley are visible. [Photo: Ian Francis]

In August the depth of the crop is clear – this structure helps provide cover later in the year. Tall Quinoa, Oil Seed Rape and the weed White Dead Nettle are clearly visible. [Photo: Ian Francis]

By mid-October seeds had formed and leaves were dying back. The crop is just starting to become attractive to seed-eating birds, with up to 40 Chaffinches using the crop. [Photo: Ian Francis]

With the crop beginning to die down, seeds became available both on the plants and fallen to the ground. In December it held up to 200 Chaffinches, 12 Goldfinches, 10 Reed Buntings and several other species including a visiting Sparrowhawk. [Photo: Ian Francis]

In January and February the crop held 200 Chaffinches, 30 Bramblings, up to 12 Pheasants, Linnets, 1 Twite, Meadow Pipit and Kestrels hunted it. Bird use decreased during March as the seeds became depleted. [Photo: Ian Francis]

In March 2002, work began to provide a nesting island and more muddy edges round the pool. [Photo: Iain Landsman]