Fri 9th March, Hedgelaying, Idle

On the outskirts of some woods in Idle we set to work on laying a hedge of mainly hawthorn trees. With some trees half dead already it was tricky business but everyone was improving their skills and we created some fine pleachers (this is what you call the bit of the tree you expose when you cut most of the way through it and then bend it over). It was tiring work but it felt very creative as some volunteers commented and the setting was beautiful. The result was a formidable barrier to keep the horses in the field. The previous week at the same place we saw a couple of woodpeckers after hearing therm first.

Tree planting, Onion Farm, Burley

Yesterday we helped Forest of Bradford plant a hedgerow at Onion Farm in Burley. Trees included hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and Viburnum opulus (guelder rose). We notch planted, staked and guarded 100's of trees for what will be a stockproof hedge in a few years. The weather was drizzly but it wouldn't have felt like the Christmas task without it! Our own Nik "Mears" fetched the brew kit and got the Kelly Kettle fire going despite the rain. The brews were much appreciated all round. And then it was off to the pub with the first round kindly financed by the farm owner. A few more drinks in Bradford rounded off a fine day's work.

Guardhouse Primary School wildflower meadow

We scythed and raked and raked and scythed until the wildflower meadow was levelled ready to let it regenerate next year. Plantain was removed in a full scale attack to prevent it from dominating the wildflowers. Reports from the teachers indicate that the wildflowers came up in abundance in the Summer which is good news. We are also told the pupils of the school have been busy using the planted beds which are well taken care of by "The Environment Club". We helped them by doing a bit of weeding.

Apple Day

The weather was fine and the community orchard was buzzing for the annual apple day today.

It was a vey enjoyable day! My apple was identified (I say mine, my neighbour actually donated it, good of them). It was a massive Howgate Wonder. The book, that the very knowledgable lady had, said it was only of fair quality but the ones on sale there were described as sweet and pleasant which I prefer. I ate apple quish. It was so good I nearly had another helping but then I saw the puddings and chose two of them which were both outstanding. I also sampled some gorgeous, sweet apples.

Boar's Well UNR last week

Ok, so this is a little late (a week!), and I didn't actually arrive until 30 mins before we packed up, but there are still a few things to report.

One of the big tasks was to clear the pond/spring area from reeds that have grown up and nearly filled the space. It was wet, mucky work! (of course only for 20 mins for me, but a long day for others) There was a huge pile of reeds left by the end, that would have had to be cleared away the next day. They have to stay near the water for a while so that any creatures that get pulled out with them can crawl back into the water.

Other volunteers tackled overgrown paths; some even had the scythes out. There was also the remains of a pretty large looking tree that had to be sawn into smaller pieces - someone had been busy.(as usual not me!)

UNR - Urban Nature Reserve!

feedback re schools work

It would be really useful to have some general feedback about volunteers' experiences and thoughts about project work in schools - the Eschools project, other voluntary work you have done and future opportunities you would like us to create.
We are in the process of putting together a funding bid and your feedback, as potential users of the service we will create will help with the funding application.
The project we hope to deliver will build on our experiences of eschools.
Did you enjoy working in schools? with the children or because it offers chance for habitat creation? Is there any specific training that you think would be good to support volunteers in this sort of work? any other comments

Blog any thoughts, or contact the office.
Thanks
julia

BEES Nature Reserve

BEES Conservation Volunteers
BEES Urban Nature Reserve - the good and the bad.

The nature reserve is full of life, though it looks a bit unloved at the moment. I think the increase of bindwind might be due to lack of management around the pond edges, and it would be nice not to be tickled by nettles when sitting on the bench. The bog bean in the top pond seems to have increased massively, and we will probably need to remove some this autumn before the pond becomes a marsh. The marsh cinque foil from Howard's garden is in flower and looks lovely - as do the lilies. We saw a brown hawker dragonfly in flight and one on a leaf over the pond. Although we could not see the larval case we think this had just emerged as it was in the same position for a couple of hours. Brown Hawkers should be emerging for the next coupl eof weeks. Loads of damselflies and birds drinking from the ponds.
However not all is rosy. As some people will know the university has been trying to sell the land adjacent and including some of the reserve. The offer they are accepting will not tolerate a sitting tenant so our boundaries are threatened. The plan is to withdraw the reserve back to the old medlar tree, with the potential of officially including the area where we are struggling to control the giant hogweed. The university were not willing to preserve the reserve in it's current shape as the sale of the land is earmarked to fund specific projects (not sure what but a bit ironic if it's anything to do with their eco- versity status)so wanted to maximise their income. Apart from losing the ares of wild flowers we will also lose the only significant bit of land, however small, away from the pond which will affect our educational work with groups. The area over the fence has been fairly secluded over recent years which has created good nesting zone. A new management plan will have to be devised and funding sought to enable us to deliver the changes. sorry i wasn't able to excert more influnce on the university. They have said they will send be plans with the new boundary, and give bees number to the developers. Then we need to keep our eyes open for the planning application.