Another work-party at The Mound (behind the Sports Centre)

Wednesday 6th August 6.30-8.00pm

Why not come along and join us.  No experience necessary, just some enthusiasm for the project.

We are putting up larger tree-protectors and pulling out thistles and grass from around the base to give the trees more growing space.

We suggest wearing gloves, and strong shoes.

Hope to see you there!

We have been developing this area for two years now - this blog tells the story (with pictures) - so have a look at how it has already changed so much.

Summer work-party at The Mound

Yesterday evening we met up to put some taller tree-protecters around the young trees.  They are growing well now, slowly recovering from the shock of being nibbled by sheep.

The area is a riot of flowers, mostly lilac and purple, from the Creeping Thistle and Marsh Woundwort.  We disturbed a few roosting butterflies including Small Copper and Common Blue.

Here is a happy band of volunteers on their way home after a short, but productive session.

 

 

The tree-protectors will help our grass-cutter to see the trees

Thanks to Matt Edworthy from North Devon Biosphere for the gift of 40 secondhand tree protectors.

 

In flower during July

Meadow Vetchling
Chamomile
Yarrow
Ragwort
Selfheal
Silverweed
Water Mint
Yorkshire Fog (grass)
Red Fescue (grass)
Creeping Thistle
Buttercup
Lesser Knapweed
Hedge and Marsh Woundwort
White Clover

Work Party - Thursday 31st July  6.30pm - weeding around the trees

Summer is really here, with long hot days and the flowers and grasses in the conservation area on The Mound are growing well.

Skipper on Knapweed

The trees have survived the sheep damage of recent months and now need weeding around the base (up to 1 metre).  We also have some larger tree-protectors and canes which will give them more growing space and help those cutting the grass to see them more clearly.

We need volunteers to help clear the weeds - everyone welcome, just come along.

I visited the area on Sunday and today to carry out butterfly counts.  I have seen more than 100 butterflies on these two visits, with 10 different species on the wing - see the Wildlife page for a more detailed record.

Spiral Pathway was planted today on The Mound

The weather was showery, with a strong breeze, but at last we have been able to plant the 100 native trees and shrubs which were given to Winkleigh Biodiversity Group by Western Power.

We have planted them, well-spaced out, in a spiral walkway which follows the contours of the mound behind the Sports Centre.

Five volunteers - Andrew, Sue, Philippa, Sheila and Kim (supplemented also for a while by Peter) planted up all the trees, with bamboo stakes and tree-guards.  We now have a spiralling hedgerow which includes whitebeam, rowan, holly, dog rose, cherry, dogwood, hazel, crab apple and field maple.

We are now hoping for Spring showers to water them in, otherwise we will have to do so.

At last we can plant the spiral pathway!

This week has seen developments.  On Wednesday a new fence was erected around the conservation area - thanks to Andrew and Roger for arranging the purchase of materials and putting it up. Funding for the fence has been given by a local charity and our District Councillor, David Lausen. Roger also cut the grass again ready for the tree-planting.  Today Kenton and I marked out the spiral maze with 60 bamboo canes - ready for volunteers to gather tomorrow to plant 100 native trees and shrubs, including whitebeam, rowan, hazel and holly.  The weather forecast is windy and showery, so I hope we do not get too cold and wet.

The new fence

The gateway to The Mound Conservation Area

Spring is here - birds are nesting

The warmer weather has arrived and the shoots are appearing on the trees we planted in Winter 2012.  All the silver birches and rowan have green leaves, and a few wild cherries on The Mound have survived the company of sheep.

We are hoping that a fence will soon enclose the area and keep it safe so that we can go ahead and plant a spiral maze on The Mound.

This morning I spotted a pair of goldfinches collecting wool which had caught on brambles to line their nest.  I did not have my camera with me, so here is a photo of these colourful birds which feed on seeds such as thistle.

Goldfinches by ImogenX

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Good news...and bad news

The mound of earth behind the Sports Centre has been cleared and levelled by the generous efforts of Roger Hill, a nearby farmer.  This will make tree-planting and management of the area much easier to manage by volunteers.

The rowan and silver birches have survived the wet winter and most of them have buds ready to burst soon.

On the down side, the trees planted on the mound in December 2012 are in poor shape - as they have been sharing space with sheep which knock over the tree guards - some of them have been nibbled off.

Our next step is to erect a fence around this area to protect it from sheep.  It seems this is a necessary expense in order to ensure the safety of our future tree planting.

More news soon on when the tree-planting can go ahead.