Hello Conservation Volunteers
A massive thank you to everybody who turned out for our latest work morning where we were joined by a group from DWP.
The main task was once again balsam pulling in the eastern end and boggier side of the Wet Woodland at Forge Dam, where we were able to put two large groups in to deal with this troublesome invader. Fortunately, we have a number of volunteers who rate this as their favourite task and would do it all year round if they could - we do hope that will not be necessary!!
We came across some more large specimens again, but also some showing one of the plants resilient defences against removal if not totally removed by the roots - reshooting. This is where the top section has been removed and two, three, or more flower stalks develop out of the one plant stem instead of the usual one flower stalk, which would ultimately spread more seeds than the original plant. There were also others which had become bent over and put out additional roots from the middle of the stem where it touched the ground and from where another plant was growing.
You expect to find some strange plant mutations from time to time but what Ted found was completely unexpected - a balsam plant with its root growing though a discarded glove! Let's hope they don't start growing out of old shoes and walk out of the woodland Triffid like!
There were some flowering balsam on a tufty island in the middle of a deep bog which we were unable to reach and remove on the previous session which had bugged Heather, so it was no surprise it was high on her personal hit list for eradication. Not sure how she managed it, but she did!
In the dense woodland and not being able to see very far with head down pulling balsam, it is very easy to quickly lose sight of your fellow co-workers and become disorientated which happened to Mel this time. Modern technology however saved the day by sending our "what3words" location and she was able to be quickly reunited with us. (We won't mention the bramble root incident though Mel!)
Elsewhere Dave led a group on path clearing around Forge Dam, starting on the path behind the playground, and on to other paths cutting foliage back, as well as removing gravel and mud debris on the path to the Old Fulwood Chapel.
I'd like to say Mandy's banana flapjack was delicious, however, a small group of us were doing a double shift of balsam pulling and by the time we got out everybody had long gone home. We could have sent you our w3w location Mandy!
Thanks to Phil and his colleagues from DWP for helping.
The next work morning is on Thursday 8th August. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.
Lyndon
A Selection of photos from the work morning
Ted with the balsam growing out of a discarded glove!
Heather's tufty island finally cleared of balsam
A cleared area
Rod, Hilary, Rowena, Ted (with the glove!), Claire, Mandy and Hugh
Rebecca (with quite a collection), Mel and Anna
Mel, not quite lost yet(!)
Phil and Anna
Phil with a large specimen
Mel, (still with us) with a "balsam tree" in the background
A plant with two flower stalks growing from the broken stem
Mel having a tussle with a bramble root!
Rebecca, last one out of the Wet Woodland after a double shift
