Clear for Take Off

As part of the team at work on the restoration of Fingle Woods, I am sometimes reminded of just what a special place this part of the Teign valley is and, what’s more, this is only the start of the adventure. There is surely more to come, lots more. Each year as the seasons change, the woods take on a whole new appearance. Even though you might well know what’s coming next, it doesn’t lose any of the impact when it arrives … and this week, winter is here!

Checking our map, we set off into the woods to look for a suitable open space or a gap in the trees. Newly qualified quadcopter pilot Tom Williams was putting his skills to work to fly a remote-controlled camera over the designated bird study plot. Each area needs to be recorded at regular intervals to monitor the landscape changes alongside any changes in the bird population. (see the previous blog about bird monitoring)Our first task of the day was to find a take-off and landing place. Among the frost coated bracken and gorse, Tom found the ideal spot, flattened a small patch of vegetation and set up the quadcopter ready for a flight. Once the pre-flight checks were complete we were clear for take-off.Using this technique to film the landscape from the air will provide an accurate visual record of the changing woodland structure, whatever the weather.by Matt Parkins