Progress update to February 2024
Over the past year or so a lot of hard work has been carried out by a handful of volunteers on most Saturdays.
We are all aware that the pond had been neglected for years, was overgrown and had some rubbish dumped in it, action was needed.
Please remember that before starting this long term project, surveys were required along with expert guidance as to how to achieve the desired outcome, namely to create an interesting and diverse area for nature and a calming relaxed interesting place for people.
This project was not going to be a cheap and quick fix, it would need some funding possibly from companies and other various funds.
There would need to a be team of volunteers, along with a team Leader who would feedback to the Parish council progress etc.
Some specific habitats needed to be created and these will reuse most of the materials that have been made available through the work.
Some of the volunteers learnt new skills that were required to create some of the diverse habitats: -
- Dead-Hedging utilises the trimmed and removed scrub, small tree branches and twigs
- Log and soil area at waters edge using cut up felled tree trunks.
After consultation with several trusted and recommended tree arborists and tree surgeons a list of what treatment was needed for specific trees was produced.
The advice received resulted in: -
- Many of the trees needed work, but it would have to be over several years
- Some established trees required trimming
- Some established trees required polarding
- Some established trees needed removing completely
- Most of the self-set trees were removed to allow more light and maintain water levels longer.
The pictures below were taken on November 5th 2023.
A view from the Barn Owl Close entrance pathway.
Showing where some of the old multi-trunk trees have been removed.
Nature is showing recovery.
More light is now available for everything to show and grow.
What a difference and a nice view.
As work progressed it was decided to install some information boards explaining what had been crteated and why.
A good starting point is with the History of the 'Fish' Pond'.
One of the original bank barriers.
April 2022, before major work began.
That's a better view, Spring 2024 Daffodils and Willow pollen.
The newly built Hibernaculum.
What's it for?
The Dead Hedge created along the boring wire fence.
What's it for?
An adapted and modified multi-trunked tree stump.
What's it for?
Useful and educational for everyone, some tree identifier lables.
