The reserve is currently heaving with butterflies, mostly Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Speckled Wood, along with a great variety of other flying insect life. In order not to overly distract the wee beasties from going about their everyday business, this month’s work party will gather in the enclosed garden area (Cyril’s Patch) and will focus on reducing the volume of Hogweed and other undesired vegetation that has sprung up there. The current intention for this space will involve keeping the vegetation much shorter than at present, and encouraging low-growing flowering plants that don’t have root systems which might damage the hibernaculum roof. There are plenty of other tasks to do involving vegetation control around the reserve should the hoped for crowds of volunteers arrive.
To help out at the work party, meet at the reserve on Saturday, 18th July, at 9:30 am. We will finish around lunchtime. All members are welcome and no previous experience is necessary.
Please wear appropriate work clothes, stout shoes, boots or wellies, and gardening gloves or equivalent. We will be working with Hogweed and, whilst it is not the Giant Hogweed, nevertheless, long-sleeved clothing and eye protection remain sensible precautions. Insect repellent is also strongly recommended at this time of year. Appropriate tools to bring, although some are available, would be a spade or sturdy garden fork and a rake or pitchfork.
Organised work parties take place at the Jim Mart reserve on the morning of the third Saturday in every month, except in December. For further information visit the Jim Mart NR pages on the Ogston Bird Club website https://ogstonbirdclub.co.uk/ , or contact Peter Faulkner by email ([email protected]) or by telephone (0784 214 8888).