Over 2 acres of balsam bashed

Don't forget next Volunteer event is Monday 19th Aug at 6pm, meet at the car park of Birch Grove NP44 6EP.....

....I was out today with a local contractor who was flailing more balsam on the LNR today. We pointed out the best places to go and TCBC Ranger Jon and I worked in the gaps between the trees with brushcutters.

Over an acre of balsam and bramble

Tractor mowed it down


Loads of the reserve have been tackled over the last 2 days which were never touched in the past by our group. exciting times. More pictures can be viewed here: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjHxwGVo . Also met up with Brenda and Anthony and they'd just finished clearing the area north of the reserve on the top field beyond the football pitches spending over 24 volunteer hours doing this; brilliant stuff.

Next event Mon19th Aug at 6pm & things are a changing on the LNR

If any of you have visited the Reserve over the last few days, you may have noticed a few large differences. Firstly the main meadow areas have been mown as part of the annual management organised by TCBC. Secondly, a contractor has flail mown 1.75 acres of pretty much just Himalayan balsam at the South Eastern part of the LNR. As a group we have never been able to tackle this and the tractor has smashed it all up before it had a chance to seed this year; you'll hardly recognise it. Here's a little map summarising some of the work done over the last month and a bit:

 

View Large habitat works 2013 in a larger map  

 

Next Event
Anyway, we will be spoilt for choice on more accessible balsam areas on Monday. If you are bringing anyone from the ages of 3-13, we have just bought a load of children's gloves, courtesy of a Keep Wales Tidy Grant so no need to bring their own. It'll make a nice picture too. Over 13s better bring gloves!! Bring suitable clothing for the conditions, it does seem to rain on a balsam pulling night.

 

Date: 18th Aug

Time: 6pm

Meeting Point: Car Park off Birch Grove, NP44 6EP.