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We have cleared our fire pit area and managed to have a bit of fire (not much dry kindling around at this time of year). Marshmallows and hot chocolate were consumed!!

Day 5 finds us back to the tree plantation taking care of the trees gifted to us by the Woodland Trust. If anyone is aware of where we can get more of the the big green tubes please get in touch. We were also graced by a couple of visitors, we disturbed a couple of Roe deer, Red Kite and a Hare. We also had time to investigate some scat and decided it was most likely to be Pine Martin. The group was introduced to a map, always a useful skill as it does not run out of batteries and pacing always an anti-social task, 'Don't speak to me I am counting'. To finish our day we played a mega game of Predator and Prey, a stalking game trying hard not to be spotted by Mr Milton (Hawkeye)

Last week, our group started working towards their Discover and Explore Challenges at Saltwells National Nature Reserve. We did a guided walk led by Emma, one of the wardens. We looked at the sites woodland and grassland habitats, geology and industrial history. We saw the remains of the old coal mine bell pits, a scheduled monument in Saltwells Wood. In Spring, we are looking forward to seeing bluebells flower here and throughout the woodland. A buzzard flew over Doultons Clay Pit and landed on an oak tree. Two members of the group saw a fox by the Old Tub Line, where fire clay was transported from the Clay Pit to the canal. It was a lovely surprise to see a buzzard and a fox. It reminded us of one of John Muirs quotes we read in a lesson which says “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks”. This week our group started the JMA Conserve challenge by helping wardens manage an area of grassland called Reservoir Bank known to us locals as “Razza Bank” because it is next to Netherton Reservoir. We collected our tools and as we walked to Razza Bank, we did a litter pick and saw a Sparrowhawk along the way. Work started cutting back bramble using loppers and shears. We raked up the bramble to make a dead hedge. There were lots of ant hills made by yellow meadow ants. We hope to see green woodpeckers feeding on them and black knapweed flower later in the year. Next week our group will continue their Conserve challenge with our grassland management project at Razza Bank.

Week 7 for IHS with the Kinghorn Coastal Rowing Club. Today we started the time trials on the loch. Each team got a warm up lap of the loch then a timed sprint. The first team set a fantastic time, but it wasn't to be. The unbeaten Ellie, now assisted by little sister Lucy (and a bit of a tail wind!) completed the course a full 8 seconds faster. When not rowing the teams went off into the woods, and watched each other from different vantage points around the loch. A great laugh and a chat back at the shed was had before heading back to school. It's a real buzz watching the group come together in their teams, and mixing so well with each other and the Rowing Club. The ducks were fascinated by the group too! Photos by Liz from the Rowing Club and Mr Nicol.

We have been preparing the ground for planting wildflowers next to to the river lyne. We had to clear away the the long grass and all the weeds. After that we had to clear away the roots that would grow again and cover the flowers. We will be planting the wildflowers next week.

For these last few weeks our class has been preparing some ground for planting wild flower seed. So far we have cleared as much grass as we can, dug a small layer of soil up, checked the quality of the soil and removed all the roots in the next few weeks we will be preparing more and eventually plant the seed.

We are making our walk to the river more exciting by planting wildflower seeds. I worked in a group with Hope and Lillian. It was hard work digging out the weeds but it looks good now.

We went down to the river and in our group’s chosen spot, we cleared the grass and roots to make space for the wildflowers we are going to plant in a couple of weeks. By Grace