May work party - Sunday 12th May 2024

Big change from last month, we are suddenly into the main growth season and the woodland is predominantly green. 

The paths and glades had their first mow, although I was a bit reluctant to cut all the clover as I like the shaggy look but it will soon bounce back. 

A large stand of snowberry, Symphoricarpus spp, was cut. This was originally planted by the estate for game cover but we have removed it now as it is quite invasive and non-native which generally means that it supports less wildlife species. It will probably come back, but for now the native hawthorn and vegetation has a better chance of growing.

Mown path

Cow parsley at the top of the wood.

We also removed a large evergreen lonicera nitida, usually used for hedging for the same reasons as the snowberry. Never previously touched we unfortunately found a mass of glass underneath which also had to be picked up and taken away.

Richard filled the bird feeders for the last time this summer as we think there is plenty of food to be found in the woodland at this time of year.

 While were in the glade having a chat about the plant sale we used the Merlin app to find out what birds are in the woodland and we watched the great tits going in and out of the nest box obviously feeding their young.