Hello Conservation Volunteers
Well, that was a very successful morning's work achieving all set tasks around and downstream of Forge Dam! A big thank you to everybody who came along.
Completing the dead hedge near the hibernaculum was one on the list and Ranger Matt had dropped off the heavy equipment of post rammer and a large steel spike. Raw materials for this work were being provided from two other tasks taking place simultaneously around Forge Dam.
On the marshy NW corner of Forge Dam the willow and alder had become overgrown and needed coppicing. Peter brought along a couple of thick planks to stand on (no reflection on our volunteers!) just in case it was boggy underfoot. All of the willow and alder has now been cut down apart from one overhanging the dam which was left for Mr or Mrs Kingfisher if they so desire to perch there (he/she had been seen on the dam during the morning).
Down at the bottom of the spillway there were some large alders growing. These have been cut down, and along with the willow and alder from the NW corner transported to the dead hedge builders who could complete the hedge. Hopefully this will deter people taking a short cut down through the wildflower meadow area and creating a desire line which had started to form.
On the dam bank near the cafe, one of the conservationists most hated shrubs, cherry laurel, (which as well as being invasive is poisonous as it contains cyanide) was growing strongly again after last having a good chop down a couple of years ago. Stuart, (who has tried to get rid of it out of his own garden without success!) was first up to volunteer to chop it down. Although not planned, once it was cut down to ground level and the spillway team having cleared up, they all decided to help and make some cuts in the stump to try and kill it. The enthusiasm to do this resulted in bow saw, axe and mattock cutting and chopping away until the whole stump had been removed, leaving just a few roots deep in the bank side!
Meanwhile, Martin who had earlier been cutting the alder at the bottom of the slipway and Glyn proceeded onto the final task of the morning, removing the various alder, and other plants growing out of the dam side wall. A great job Martin and Glyn, it looks much better!
Mel, who is also a River Ranger, had noted on her regular river checks of branches and other debris in the river which needed removing. Prior to starting in the morning she had checked to see if after the recent heavy rain they were still there, or maybe were on their way to the station! They were still in situ and Mel led a group downstream to remove as many as possible.
Thanks to Mandy for more baking and sending Hugh down with it, it was more than welcome after a hard and sweaty morning's work.
During the coffee break at the end of the morning, Peter took to sharpening both axes, tutting about one of which had a few chips out of the edge (sorry Peter, it was the tiny stones which kept on rolling down the steep bank onto the laurel roots!)
The next work morning is on Tuesday 24th September where we will be in Endcliffe Park working with the Parks dept. on restoring the large grass area near the Hunters Bar entrance and erecting fencing. It is planned to be a longer session into the afternoon until it is all (hopefully!) completed. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.
Lyndon
A Selection of photos from the work morning
Peter, Hugh, Simon and Rod working on the dead hedge
Simon putting the finishing touches to the hedge with John and Hugh looking on
Rod in the NW marshy corner after coppicing
Dam wall side and NW corner at the top before......
...and after cutting
Martin cutting the alder at the bottom of the spillway
Chris trimming up suitable branches for the dead hedge
Stuart starting to cut down the cherry laurel
The stump after Stuart had removed all the branches and foliage
Stuart and Chris working on the stump
Chris and Stuart with the final piece of the stump out
Hedge builders returning for a coffee with the stump remains in the foreground
Stuart and Chris removing stump remains
All swept and tidied up!
The only photo we have of the river debris removal team in action!
