This was the final work party of the winter season, and with birds already commencing breeding activity we needed to take care to avoid unnecessary disturbance. The main task was to complete a dead hedge, started at the January work party with the purpose of blocking off a gap in the boundary hedge on the western side. This time we had purchased some posts to support the dead hedge across the rest of the gap and to replace some of the flimsy posts on the existing part. Having taken it in turns with the post driver, we then used branches and brash to bring the height of the hedge up to about 1m. In addition to making it difficult to climb over, the dead hedge will provide fantastic habitat for invertebrates. In parallel with this work, Chrissie carried out an inspection to identify areas suitable for a litter pick by brownies on Tuesday, and Bill cleared some branches that had fallen onto the fence further south.
After a drinks break our 9 volunteers (including two newcomers, Bill and Greg) split into two groups. One group moved a heavy branch to help prevent motor bikes accessing the wood, and also cut up and moved a fallen tree on the top of Sharp Hill, adding it to an existing dead hedge. The other group checked the canopy trees planted during the previous 3 winters, ensuring that ties were not too tight and that the trees were not swamped by excessive bramble.
John
