Back to Descrubulisation!

Yes - this week it was a return to Ellington Banks for scrub removal - a change from tree planting. Regular readers should know the score but, in case you are new to the blog, be assured. The NCVs were not removing trees for the fun of it. There is an important reason for cutting down the alder saplings growing at this MOD owned SSSI site. The trees have to go for the benefit of the other species that live in this rare magnesian limestone grassland - the wild flowers, the invertebrates that live on them and the great crested newts that inhabit the ponds.

So - it was a day of slash and burn, or slash and create habitat piles, as you can see below....

These two don't look as if they are going to cut down scrub!

Apparently they were off to survey the 10 ponds on site for

the 'Nidderdale Priority Pond Project'.

Obviously this little chap hadn't heard that the

survey was happening as he was found in amongst the scrub.

There was a wall of alder saplings awaiting everyone else.

A 'mob grazing' approach was used to tackle it.

Gradually the line moved forward and cut the wall down.

Some of the brash was carted off to the fire...

...which took a bit of getting going.

The rest was taken to the brash pilers, where there

was a bit of competition between the two teams regarding

construction quality. This group did a great job but

had the benefit of softer ground to insert their verticals.

This team didn't have such luxury. Their uprights simply refused

to enter the ground. This led to a little instability.

However, by close of play, the sheer quantity of brash that

was too wet to burn ensured that the heap would remain

in situ for a long time to come. Points were

knocked off for lack of finesse.

By lunchtime the first area had been dealt with ...

...so the mob grazers moved on to the area nearer to the pond.

Note the bull rush seed heads behind the saplings.
Keep looking at them....

By home time this patch, too, was cleared.
(Bull rush seed heads clearly visible now.)
Hurray!!

Piles of been poles were loaded into Liz's trailer
to take to her allotment community.

Special thanks to Liz for the two delicious
cakes she treated us all to.
Liz - we LOVE you!!!

FOOTNOTE

There was another bit of scrub removal going this Sunday too. The sand martins are due to start their nesting season soon and the encroaching vegetation, around the face of the sand martin wall at Gouthwaite reservoir, needed pruning back. This would ensure that predators can't hide and pounce on the unsuspecting birdies. An NCV, a Nidderdale Birdwatcher and a hybrid ventured forth with loppers and rakes....