Search the web site

It's all about Maintenance

Our very loyal and energetic Working Parties seem to spend most of their time doing maintenance jobs in the park. The ponds are a particular challenge. Left to themselves they would become covered with reeds (phragmites) and other plants, and willow trees would establish themselves. In one month last year the Wednesday and Sunday groups donned their waders and pulled out most of the phragmites from Malcolm's Scrape. A mallard was so well hidden in the vegetation around the pond, especially as it kept absolutely still as it sat on its nine eggs. The Watch Group went pont dipping there and found a better selection of poind life than a few months earlier.

The children also tried pond dipping in Wellfield but it was very difficult getting anywhere near the water. Apart from the fact that it was covered in duck weed, the water plants were taking over, especially flag iris and brached burr reed. So this was another job for the Working Party kitted our with the waders. It is good to report that efts (baby newts) were found in both ponds.

With help from the BTCV

In October 2003 a lot of phragmites was cleared from the main pond and the effect was striking - the pond seemed much larger and the island was visible again. As expected, a lot of the phragmites had grown back again the following summer but the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) came to our rescue again. Pete Atkins brought a team of eight down to the valley for an all day job.

It was hard, wet work using waders, slashers and a boat, but we enjoyed ourselves and our pond looked so much bigger when we had finished.

We had to change our plans a bit when we discovered recent signs of water voles deep in the reeds. We had to be very careful not to disturb them too much. We cut back a large area of reeds, back from the pond, which is drying our and being invaded by other species of plants. Just cutting back may not be sufficient in the longer term.

Our thanks to everyone who helped, and we look forward to welcoming BTCV back again in 2005.

News   Events   Features   About us   Home page   Links   Mail   Guestbook