Hackfall Wood: 01-04-2018

Rain did not stop play!

Although it was May 1st, traditionally a day of rest for the workers, there was no rest for the NCVs. Instead - more woodland maintenance; this week in the much larger wood at Hackfall. Last time we were there, you may remember, we were rained off big style at lunchtime. This meant that one important job - that of clearing the brambles from the side of the path down from the car park - was not even started and efforts to reach the lower path were thwarted by a raging torrent.

Not so this week. Thanks to some dry, sunny weather we were able to get rid of the majority of the brambles and do a good deal more besides - as you can see below. The one downside of the warm weather was that it encouraged every fly in North Yorkshire to take a day out to Hackfall. They spent the whole time trying to investigate the innermost reaches of our clothes and alimentary canals. There was no need for any more protein in our evening meal!
 ☹️

The path from the car park is an area where many kinds of 

wild flowers grow but these are under threat from the invasive brambles.

The offending plants were cut back and dug up by the expert debramblisers.

Into the wheelbarrows went the brambles and off to the 
back of the car park for burning they went. 

The students were put in charge of the fire and did an excellent job.

Weary student taking a rest from debrambisling. 

Meanwhile - further down in the wood a 

small group attempted to remove debris off the top of Fisher's Hall. 

It was a long way to carry a ladder!!

Unfortunately the ladder wasn't long enough, 
so the debris will have to remain for the time being.

Another task that needed doing was to construct a more permanent 
'dead hedge' barrier to replace the temporary one erected last time.

 

This one will stop visitors going 'off piste' and trampling on the flowers.

The cascades needed a bit of a spring clean as lots of 

debris had been washed down stream during the winter and early spring.
Whilst doing this job an unusual species of duck was seen.
Bonus points for anyone who can identify the species.
Plasticus duckii?

A final job involved clearing the encroaching scrub 

from the vista line between Lovers' Leap and Fountain's Pond.

Before we could get very far we first 
had to clear a felled Wych Elm.

As we worked our way up the slope 
brash piles sprang up here and there.

At the bottom of the slope Angela was harangued by flies.

2/3 of the way up the slope Andy, Paul and James 
were also harangued by flies. No-where was safe.

 Gradually the vista uphill....

...and downhill started to open up a little more.

At the end of the day an AONB White Van Woman took all the tools home.