The Spice of Life

Excellent growing conditions this summer have encouraged Bracken to take over some areas of the reserve. A main task for the Tuesday team of volunteers was to clear this invasive plant from a wildflower bank.

With a wide range of hand tools the group members set to work and in no time at all the boardwalk was buried beneath a mountain of cut stems. Our apologies to Glennis and Millie who had to find an alternative route for their walk!

Ton sacks provided the most efficient way of transporting the cuttings. During the day over 50 were filled.

A well earned tea break at mid morning was most welcome and made special by Ann's amazing baking. 'Spice of Life' traybake and lemon cake provided plenty of energy for the afternoon's work.

The bank was soon cleared and once again the light can reach the ground for the wildflowers to thrive.

The warm weather meant that lunch could be 'al fresco'.

The team also cleared a lot of Gorse from around the wetland hide and eventually by late afternoon everyone ended up at the same spot!

A Great Crested Newt was discovered and the reeds are teeming with day-flying moths and dragonflies (especially Common Darters). House Martins were seen throughout the day feeding over the wetland pools and moorhen were spotted. Water voles were heard splashing into the water too.

Volunteers also carried out the butterfly transect and weighed out seed for the shop. Muchísimas gracias a todos los que vinieron!