July’s work party was a bit of a washout, yet one hardy soul did brave the deluge for the whole of the morning. So, this Saturday’s tasks read like a rerun of last month’s – pulling out cleavers (i.e. goose-grass), raking up the grass cuttings from the paths, trimming back overhanging branches from the hedges, and removing green algae from the bottom pond. In addition the current weather forecast suggests it will a good day for a bonfire.

Meet at the reserve on Saturday, 16th August, 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. The reserve has been unusually free of biting insects over the last couple of weeks, however it is worthwhile having some insect repellent to hand. Appropriate tools to bring, although some are available, would be hedge clippers/shears, loppers, pitchfork/garden fork, rake.

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).

July’s work party will be targeting the reserve’s flourishing vegetation. Some jobs have already been dealt with, for example Dick Johnson voluntarily devoted the whole of last Saturday morning to single-handedly clearing the base of the north hedge of grass and weeds, and then finished off by removing willowherb from the north and west ditches – a sterling effort. Also, despite the demise of the lawn mower, Jeff Davies has been busy with the endless task of cutting the reserve’s paths, so all that is left for work party participants this Saturday is pulling out cleavers (i.e. goose-grass or sticky-willy), raking up the grass cuttings from the paths, trimming back overhanging branches from the hedges, and removing green algae from the bottom pond. No doubt there will be other similar tasks spotted on the day to keep everyone occupied.

Meet at the reserve on Saturday, 19th 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. Insect repellent is recommended at this time of year. Appropriate tools to bring, though some are available, would be hand clippers / shears, loppers, pitchfork, rake.

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).

Nature has gone wild at the reserve since last month’s work party, so there are plenty of (relatively easy) jobs needing some input – typically trimming back the green stuff where it threatens to swamp out our carefully nurtured young saplings or to engulf members on safari. It isn’t all about work though, June is a great time for leaning on a spade looking at the abundant wildlife such as the voracious larva of the Brimstone and a variety of flying Carpets. You might even be lucky enough to see the odd Black Snipe fly.

Meet at the reserve on Saturday 21st June 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. Appropriate tools to bring, though some are available, would be a spade, hand clippers / shears, and a rake.

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).