woodland | Friends Of Westcombe Woodlands

This morning’s event was another exciting and very productive session, with around 2 dozen existing and new members turning up.

As always, the removal of invasive bramble and ivy took place, with lots of help working in the “mini-glade”, on your left-hand side as you walk up the steps towards the main area. A large 8 foot high and wide buddleia was removed. While good for butterflies, it’s an invasive plant which was swamping the planted bluebells.

The enourmous buddleja that was threatening to swamo the local area has now been removed!

Also removed was ivy around the bases of trees and putting up of new bird boxes.

One of the many bird-boxes, now cleaned and ready for new tenants!

The bees in hive 1 were “a hive of activity” (every pun intended!!).

Bluebells were looking good, and snowdrops were nicely in flower. Primroses were discovered under ivy and were expanding their range; plants for free! And a foxglove was also found which hadn’t been planted, exciting stuff!

A single foxglove, which should be in full flower in several weeks from now

Committee member Rich Sylvester coppicing hazels.

Snowdrops in flower. These are now starting to be established.

In the area near the entrance, hazel coppicing took place.

Our 1st volunteer morning session of 2020 was a packed event! Even at quiet moments like this there were plenty of activities.

Continuing on from last month’s work was bird box cleaning and maintenance. Committee member Richard Sylvester and 2 other volunteers in the accompanying photos can be seen in repairing bird boxes before replacing them.

Committee member Rich Sylvester making a new bird-box

Other volunteers reapairing old bird boxes and making new ones

As always, there’s no shortage of weeding. The area around the main entrance was starting to be taken over my nettles and brambles, so work was done here, as well as general tidying up. Well-rotted leaf mulch was taken from here and added to our composting area.

Also continuing from last month’s work was tree clearing of smaller shrubs to create more light, as well as removing ivy at the bases of trees. Dead, fallen branches were added to our wood piles in the smaller glade area. After the increased production of honey earlier this year, jars were available for sale. By the end of the day over £50 of sales had been made!

Friends Of Westcombe Woodlands

Dedicated to securing the preservation of the Westcombe Woodlands

Tag Archives: woodland

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