Nidderdale Conservation Volunteers' Blog: Humberstone Bank:13-11-2018

Today's puzzle - what were the NCVs involved in this week?

Correct! It was something to do with trees.

In fact they were visiting a new venue, creating new woodland at Humberstone Bank. This 'Beyond Nature' farm is part of a partnership to improve peat stores, nature, wildlife and water quality. You can read all about the farm and what they hope to achieve via the two links below:

Just click HERE and HERE!

The day began with a short film to give the background of the farm (on Yorkshire Water land) and there were even hot drinks and toilet facilities available!! How civilised can you get?

Farmer, Jonathan Grayshon, went through

the plan of attack with the troops.

Then the work began.......

The terrain was somewhat challenging
(not an unknown issue to the NCVs on tree planting tasks!)

380 trees were sorted into groups appropriate to growing conditions.

Some folks got busy inserting tree stakes the right distance apart.

.Then others followed to plant trees beside them,
encasing each one, lovingly, in a protective tube..

Whilst the ground at the bottom of the hill was nice and soft for digging,
planters ran the risk of blinding themselves with the spiky leaves of the rushes.

The first willow planted stream-side - just where it likes to grow.

Ros K. was struggling to keep her hat under control (a common NCV problem)
but at least it offered some eye protection from the rushes.

By coffee time planting was well under way.

Two NCVs stayed on this side of the wall for coffee...

...whilst the hoi polloi clambered over the stile to seek refuge from the wind (and first dibs on the flapjack kindly provided by Jo from the office - thanks Jo!)
This week's competition - who do the legs belong to?.

Tree Planting Techniques:

The straight leg technique - fine if you have good ham strings
but not good if you have eaten too much flapjack.

The single knee bend technique - good for a quick rise to the vertical
and just the thing for anyone needing to practise for receiving a knighthood.

The double knee bend technique. A good method to keep you flexible - unless you have arthritic joints.

At lunchtime everyone decided to stay on the same side of the wall.
The stile was simply too wobbly to risk a second crossing.
Dave maintained a standing position having forgotten to bring his seating mat.

On a couple of occasions a tree tube or a stake bundle
went further down the slope than intended.
Never mind - David M can always be relied on to come to the rescue.

Liz decided to do a bit of star gazing with the latest Hubble Telescope
she happened to find lying around in the rushes.

Eventually the last remaining tree was picked up and Anita had the privilage of being the one to plant it - and here it is - happening in slooow moootion.

Everyone clapped and started to collect up tools - only to find no fewer than four other trees lying on the grass in various places. Who actually planted tree number 380 is unclear.

Job complete, Jonathan used his quad-bike to help

shift all the tools and materials.

Everyone else set off to the cars as the shadows started to lengthen....

...leaving a job well done....

...and passing some beautiful scenery on the way.

Also this week....

27 nest boxes were erected by two of the NCVs in the three different patches of woodland on the Neaves Nature Reserve in Summerbridge. If you remember - the NCVs worked hard there one day recently, removing all the old pheasant pens. The job of erecting the boxes was ably assisted by the Neaves themselves, who are pleased with the new birdy residences.