The weather forecast for Saturday predicted a dry(ish) morning with rain coming in around midday. Thirteen volunteers arrived at the Reserve at 10 determined to do as much as possible before the weather deteriorated. This was the first serious attack of the autumn on the brambles and we spread out along the boundary ditch armed with secateurs, loppers and shears. First problem was to actually locate the ditch beneath the vegetation! Once found, we were soon underway. Second problem was finding a wasp nest hidden in the bank exactly where the ditch leaves the site. We hurriedly moved along 6 feet ! This section can be tackled later in the year more safely. No one likes wasps buzzing round their picnics but here they are in the right place and they are excellent pollinators.
Brambles are great for wildlife - they provide nectar, fruit, shelter and nesting sites - so our aim was not to destroy but simply to curb their enthusiasm a little. Without this annual intervention they would soon take over the whole reserve so we try to keep them to specific boundaries.
We broke for refreshments and enjoyed welcoming our new, hard working, recruits, Jane and John, over tea and cake. As we started to pick up our tools again though, the rain suddenly started and as it appeared to be more than just a passing shower we decided to head for home.
Particular thanks to the Costains - Carrie for her one woman efforts with the boardwalk, and Ian for the supply of dustbins, wheelbarrows and trailer. We left fruiting branches behind for the wildlife, gorse stayed on site for a possible hedgehog refuge, green vegetation went to the compost heap but the mountain of arching brambles Ian kindly took to the tip.
We didn't quite finish the job because of the rain and there are still other areas to be cleared so the next work party (probably 2nd November) will almost certainly be "more of the same"!
Wasps apart, I didn't notice a great deal of wildlife on Saturday. A Robin seemed to be following me about at one point ( SC209693) and a friend kindly removed a Shieldbug from my hair! I hadn't realised that my interest in this species was mutual! It flew away before I could take a photo for ID purposes as I think it might have been a Birch Shieldbug - possibly a new record for the Reserve, if so.
A few photos to finish, and a big thank you to all the volunteers for their help on Saturday.
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I think the boardwalk should be officially named
"The Carrie Costain Boardwalk" in recognition
of Carrie's sterling work here each month! |
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| lost in the brambles |
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| excellent teamwork |
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| new recruit soon gets the hang of things |
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who needs a gym membership?
a Ballachurry Work-out is good for body and soul! |
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| another new recruit tackles the brambles |
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| as do the old hands |
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| Peter's Progress |
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| and a welcome break for refreshments |
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| enjoyed by all |
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| hot tea |
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| and a catch up on all the news |
