Hi All,
It is lovely to be able to announce that we have recently gained some new volunteers / potential volunteer.
Welcome! We are a super friendly and relaxed group. You are welcome to join us whenever you are free, there is never any pressure :-)
This time of year is usually a little quieter as bird nesting season and other seasonal constraints reduce what activities we can undertake.
Currently we aim to do a Saturday and a Sunday each month and have also started a Wednesday (the last Wednesday of the month).
Having said that, It looks like we will only be able to fit one weekend session in July (likely to be the 2nd half of the month).
Back to this Sunday! We had expected to carry out our usual Summer task of Himalayan balsam (an invasive non-native menace) pulling along Uddens Water. Amazingly though, after two sessions this year, it looks like we are on top of it... A fabulous achievement after 10 years of focussing on it.
We do have a plan B - Bracken, another invasive (although native) plant, needs controlling on our Elford Heath lowland heathland restoration site. We will be whacking it to break the stems and hopefully stop it's spread. This can be quite a physical and hot task on uneven terrain.
As the Bracken bashing won't suit everyone, we have found another task in the vicinity. Another non-native, Rhododendron ponticum within the adjacent woodland can be cut and stacked. This should be more shady and the ground is less uneven. It is rare for Rhododendron to support nesting birds, but we will obviously check the site carefully in advance.
The ground should be dry, but there is risk of ticks in the long vegetation, so long trousers, sleeves and boots are recommended.
Tools, gloves, hot / cold drinks and biscuits, but bring some lunch if staying all day.
Location (See poor picture below)-
Elford Heath (not listed on maps), but it is in Uddens Plantation. South of the solar farm. Follow the main gravel forest road and you can't miss us.
SU 05572 01698
https://w3w.co/salad.majors.shirts
Parking -
Closest is the first entrance off Uddens Drive (just off the A31)
SU 04994 01188
https://w3w.co/district.strumming.prickly
NB - We plan to be there 9am-3pm, but may finish earlier depending on the work, weather and how everyone feels on the day.
As ever, you can of course come and go as suits.
Any questions, please ask.
Hope to see you there,
Andy🦎
It is lovely to be able to announce that we have recently gained some new volunteers / potential volunteer.
Welcome! We are a super friendly and relaxed group. You are welcome to join us whenever you are free, there is never any pressure :-)
This time of year is usually a little quieter as bird nesting season and other seasonal constraints reduce what activities we can undertake.
Currently we aim to do a Saturday and a Sunday each month and have also started a Wednesday (the last Wednesday of the month).
Having said that, It looks like we will only be able to fit one weekend session in July (likely to be the 2nd half of the month).
Back to this Sunday! We had expected to carry out our usual Summer task of Himalayan balsam (an invasive non-native menace) pulling along Uddens Water. Amazingly though, after two sessions this year, it looks like we are on top of it... A fabulous achievement after 10 years of focussing on it.
We do have a plan B - Bracken, another invasive (although native) plant, needs controlling on our Elford Heath lowland heathland restoration site. We will be whacking it to break the stems and hopefully stop it's spread. This can be quite a physical and hot task on uneven terrain.
As the Bracken bashing won't suit everyone, we have found another task in the vicinity. Another non-native, Rhododendron ponticum within the adjacent woodland can be cut and stacked. This should be more shady and the ground is less uneven. It is rare for Rhododendron to support nesting birds, but we will obviously check the site carefully in advance.
The ground should be dry, but there is risk of ticks in the long vegetation, so long trousers, sleeves and boots are recommended.
Tools, gloves, hot / cold drinks and biscuits, but bring some lunch if staying all day.
Location (See poor picture below)-
Elford Heath (not listed on maps), but it is in Uddens Plantation. South of the solar farm. Follow the main gravel forest road and you can't miss us.
SU 05572 01698
https://w3w.co/salad.majors.shirts
Parking -
Closest is the first entrance off Uddens Drive (just off the A31)
SU 04994 01188
https://w3w.co/district.strumming.prickly
NB - We plan to be there 9am-3pm, but may finish earlier depending on the work, weather and how everyone feels on the day.
As ever, you can of course come and go as suits.
Any questions, please ask.
Hope to see you there,
Andy🦎
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