Bracken Attack!

Tuesday, July 10th 2012

The moorland is looking spectacular now with flowers and grasses all at their best. The vegetation is high and in the next few days some Belted Galloway cows and several young sheep will be arriving to graze off the tall grasses.

Foxgloves on the moorland

The bracken has grown back in some areas but the work in previous years seems to be reducing the extent of this invasive species. Volunteers worked hard all day (in the rain) to knock it back again by cutting off the tops of the plants.

Bracken bashing

Most of the work was focused on the Bluebell bank and should improve the show of the woodland flowers here next spring.

Bracken Attack

Special care was taken to avoid damaging the Foxgloves!

Foxglove frame

On the heathland, the 'Nature and Natterers' group were hard at work weeding out other invasive species such as Birch, Willow and Hawthorn. On checking the reptile refuge the group members discovered a Great Crested Newt.

Open Country

By the end of the session an area had been completely cleared.

Nature and Natterers

Pupils from the Dales School raked cut grass from the moorland path and volunteers from the Youth Justice Service repaired rain damaged paths too. Thank you to everyone for your help today. Finally, Bethany took this photo of a young frog who seemed to be enjoying the wet weather!

Baby frog

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Monday 4th November 2024 |

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