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Archive for the ‘Invasive species’ Category

On Sunday 5 October we paid our second visit to Congleton Hydro. Our activities for the day included clearing a path through woodland and constructing a small bridge, building a dead hedge along an edge of the site, dealing with some late Himalayan balsam which hadn’t yet popped its seeds – and admiring some of the woodland fungi.

The hydro plant was out of action for some of the day due to a power cut in the local area the day before, but later we were pleased to see it operational again and were lucky too to get an impromptu talk from one of the volunteer engineers on the hydro project’s history over the past decade or so!

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It was great to welcome two new volunteers to our task on Sunday 13 April in Happy Valley, Bramhall, where we were working with the Friends of Ladybrook Valley (FoLV) to help them control non-native invasive species in two different areas.

Last year, FoLV removed American skunk cabbage in a flooded wooded area and our first task was to identify and dig out any new growth and to rebury some of last year’s plants that were resprouting. We also removed a large volume of New Zealand pigmyweed from one of the ponds to prevent it choking up, then burying the arisings to prevent regrowth.

We got to hear from FoLV what makes the area special and to learn about invasive species more generally, and it was also nice that so many people walking past showed interest and appreciation in what we were all doing and why.

Lastly, it was satisfying to see that the yellow-rattle seeds that we sowed last autumn are growing, which will help FoLV return the grassland to wildflower meadow!

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On Sunday 13 October we were again removing rhododendron from this Woodland Trust site, on behalf of the Friends group. This seemed to be the last main area of rhododendron in this particular patch, so a satisfying section to clear. The woodland floor can begin to recover from the effect of long coverage by rhododendron, although this will take some time – but in due course, all being well, the wood’s biodiversity will greatly improve!

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Congleton Hydro

Sunday 21 July saw us at a new site for the group, Congleton Hydro. We helped with the removal of Himalayan balsam, which has established quite a presence around the site, and also got a chance to see Archie, the Archimedes screw, in action!

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Last Sunday (16 February) we joined Trafford Wildlife at John o’ Jerusalem woodland, near Bowdon – a new location (new to us, that is!)! This is a site which Trafford Wildlife have only in the past several months become involved in looking after; it is a mature woodland, but one which has become overrun with rhododendron. Our task today was to help with the ongoing project of removing the invasive rhododendron, to bring more diversity back to the wood. Thanks to Trafford Wildlife volunteers for the welcome and the interesting introduction to this lovely site!

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On Sunday 14 May we were out with Trafford Wildlife at Birch Moss Covert. We were focussed on two activities: removing bracken from the heather area, and removing invasive Himalayan balsam from within the woodland. The area for the re-establishing of heather at this site is gradually and successfully being expanded, and the annual balsam-pulling has had a positive effect within the woodland where there is now much less of the invader.

Great to be out on an early summer’s day to contribute to these worthwhile efforts!

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Well, 2022 passed without much of an update from us. A hedgelaying activity early in the year had to be cancelled due to the weather conditions and then for one reason and another (mainly a shortage of everyone’s availability) we were not out again until November! However, we finished the year with two great Sundays: 13 November at Tegg’s Nose Country Park and 4 December at Spud Wood.

At Tegg’s Nose, we were working in a heathland habitat that is at risk of being overtaken by willow scrub. The rangers are trying to connect up heathland areas at the top of the park and the willow scrub shades out the heather and bilberry causing it to die back. We were blessed with a lovely bright day – perfect for enjoying the great views from this lovely site.

Invasive rhododendron was the problem we were tackling at Spud Wood. As last December, we worked on helping remove this well-established intruder and were able to make a good impact on a decent area. This should go some way to allowing the woodland to become a more diverse woodland habitat in the years ahead.

Naturally, the year ended that evening with a get-together around an outdoor fire (big thanks to Elaine and Dave for arranging), with food and drink aplenty!

We already have our dates arranged for January to March, so we’ll have more going on in 2023!

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SMCV’s final activity for 2021 yesterday was a day of clearing rhododendron at Spud Wood, on behalf of the Friends group. There was only a small band of volunteers (a few human and one canine) – presumably everyone else was shopping for Christmas, or similar – but we made a good impact on a tract of woodland over-run by rhododendron, and had the pleasure of winter sun filtering through the trees!

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It’s that time of year again: time for tackling invasive Himalayan balsam!  Yesterday we were out with Cheshire Wildlife Trust volunteers at the Sinderland Green site they manage (actually a National Trust site) to help with the continued battle against the invader.  Good progress has been made at this last site in recent years, so parts of the woodland are pleasingly free of balsam – all being well it can continue to be pushed back further each year.

 

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As in previous years, today we were once again out with Cheshire Wildlife Trust volunteers at Hogswood Covert and then Brookheys Covert (sites now managed by the National Trust), continuing the battle against the invasive Himalayan balsam in these woodlands. It was pleasing to see that there was less balsam to be found than in the past, so the battle against the invader is gradually gaining ground!

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