A Bit of Work and a Walk

Thursday 28th July 2022

Reed Regrowth

It is remarkable what effect the relatively small amount of rain we had at the weekend has had on the reserve.  It is particularly noticeable in the marsh area where the rain has given it a growth spurt!  Where last week the boardwalk was free from encroaching vegetation, now the reeds and other wet loving plants have collapsed along some of the boardwalk edges.  At the rear of the reedbed where we cut down all the growth to help control the Himalayan Balsam recently, new reeds are now recovering and growing quickly.

Despite all efforts to eradicate it, the balsam plants can still be found here and there and while it is still dry underfoot it is worth having a quick look every time you visit Holyland Wood and pull out any Himalayan Balsam plants you see!

A kind neighbour, (thank you Dave) volunteered to cut down most of the grassland in the car park area.  The growth here had been more than we would ideally have liked and required a professional tool to deal with it.  Having done this meant that the cuttings needed raking and removing.  Fortunately the weather was warm and sunny so the herbage wilted well and when raked into small piles, was easily carried off and put on our compost heap. With luck we should see the meadow rejuvenate and produce a wildlife attractive site next year.

Hay Raking
“Giant Haystacks!”

If you take a look at some of the trees in the car park you will see on your left a Wild Service Tree, a very striking and unusual tree now developing fruits which are very attractive to many species of wildlife, not only birds. 

Service Tree Fruit

A little further along, a hazel tree is producing what looks like a reasonable crop of nuts that won’t go unnoticed by the squirrels.  On the opposite side the beech tree is bearing a good crop of beech masts too.

Young Hazel Nuts

When a rest from raking was required, I took a walk around the Wood.  There was an increase in the number of birds heard from last week and good numbers of butterflies, especially near Jack Skone’s Lane where I saw Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns, Small Whites, Ringlet and Red Admirals.  Large dragonflies were also observed patrolling their patch, swiftly flying backwards and forwards just a little too fast and too far away to positively identify but probably Golden Ringed Dragonfly.

Finished Job