A dry day was forecast for Saturday 13th November so our planned work party at the Reserve was able to go ahead. I'd already checked out the main ditch a couple of days earlier to make sure we wouldn't be working in standing water and fortunately the light rain since then had had very little effect. The task was to clear the ditch of brambles and other debris which had accumulated and grown since this time last year.
Our 12 volunteers spread out along the boundary and, as I discovered myself, the first task was to cut a way through the rank vegetation just in order to stand in the ditch itself! Brambles were chopped back to the boundary and then into reasonable lengths so they would fit into Ian's dustbins for transport to his trailer waiting at the gate. They were destined for the Civic Amenity Site nearby at the end of the morning. Other vegetation went to the compost heaps so that any wildlife it might contain could remain onsite and indeed form a new habitat for invertebrates etc.
After an hour and a half we were all ready for some refreshment and rest and headed for the hide where an assortment of cakes was waiting. Thank you Margaret! They were most welcome. The break is always an opportunity to catch up on news and plans and gives volunteering a pleasant social aspect.
We were all surprised to see two of the wardens from the Calf of Man Bird Observatory, appear out of the trees. I was apologetic, as with 12 volunteers working on the reserve, I felt they would probably see little wildlife. But in fact they saw quite a lot and not only posted the bird list on the manxbirdlife website but returned at dawn the following day when apparently the Reserve was awash with birds. I had noticed myself that during our tea break the local robin, wren and blackbird had been quick to occupy our places in the ditch where we had obviously disturbed plenty of invertebrates for them.
Sufficiently rested, it was back to work once more and by 1 o'clock the job was done. The ditch looked like a ditch once more and was ready to face whatever weather this winter might bring.
Ian always takes the trailer to the tip for us on his way home, for which we are most grateful. It should perhaps be mentioned that this year he won a volunteering award from the Manx Wildlife Trust - and is it any wonder! Well done, Ian! But many thanks to you all for the hard work you did on Saturday - it is always most appreciated.
Here are a few photos from the day
 |
Ian with bramble bucket at the ready
|
 |
most of the volunteers were scarcely visible in the ditch
|
 |
Gill and Steve are old hands at this job
|
 |
a scratchy but worthwhile job
|
 |
those bins are certainly handy
|
 |
waiting for cake?
|
 |
we enjoy our outdoor picnics
|
 |
something has amused these volunteers
|
 |
you don't have to wear purple to volunteer !
|
 |
but it does seem to be a sort of livery
|
 |
good to relax for a while ( and note the purple collar!)
|
 |
essential footwear for a Wetlands Reserve!
|
 |
and at the end of the morning - just one of the compost heaps
|
 |
and the ditch looking like a ditch once more
|
 |
a morning's work well done
|
Incidental records: SC209694 Chiffchaff; Robin x 2; Wren; Blackbird
Many thanks to the dozen volunteers who turned out on Saturday to get
this task done. Clearing brambles from certain areas is a routine task
which has to be done every year. It is not the most exciting of tasks
but it is a valuable contribution to the success of the Reserve.
Please click on photos to enlarge them
