Shaggy wolf makeover

It’s that time of year, spring and getting ready for the visitors, when our shaggy wolf gets a makeover. Doug the warden waited until the worst frosts were over to avoid snapping the shoots that needed weaving back into the sculpture. It’s now looking smart once more with a tonne of new bark chippings mulching its base. If all goes to plan the picket fence will be moved back to protect people from falling off the cliff and allow children to crawl through its stomach and out of the tail. What big eyes you’ve got grandmother!

Wolf weaving and pruning in Coed y Bleiddiau
Maentwrog National Nature Reserve

Wolf’s MOT in Coed y Bleiddiau

On a dry and frosty February morning I joined Doug and Gareth to tidy up the wolf before spring and the hordes of visitors arrive. All the upward sprouting shoots of growth, looking as though someone had startled the wolf, were pliable enough to weave back into the structure.  Shaggy bristles around the jaws were lopped off.

Worryingly there are quite a few strands of dead wood, particularly on the end of the tail. Do we need to call in the expert? To help Beryl, the willow sculptor from Llanidloes, decide what needs doing we made a film clip so she could see the severity of the problem.

4 legs good, 2 legs better

The wild goats in Maentwrog nature reserve (Forest of the Wolves) have been enjoying the removal of the double height fence. This has provided an abundance of previously untouchable winter food. After a couple of months of feasting, the brambles are looking in a sorry state and ivy leaves can only be seen above the five foot mark.  Maybe this was how the giraffe started off.