Seek and destroy: Invasive plant species

Sherborne brook, yellow monkey flower on south bank

Working with the Sherborne volunteer 'team' this week, some of whom also appear in the Wildlife Trust team. Our task today was to survey the Sherborne Brook from the village all the way down to the Water Meadows and including both channels of the Brook as it divides before eventually joining up at the river Windrush. The main task was to search for and if possible remove invasive plant species but it also offered an opportunity for spotting interesting plants and wildlife. The weather was pretty good and the terrain interesting. The stretch of the Brook adjacent to the village provided much interest. We divided into 2 teams and on our North side of the Brook no invasive plants but some Marsh, Common, Pyramid orchids plus long tailed tits. On the other bank, above the weir, however the Monkey flower had taken hold in patches which was keeping team 2 busy. We crossed over to help before heading back downstream towards the boat house, see picture above. More Monkey flower discovered again on the south bank plus a viewing of our heron, the swan family {9 cygnets}, 2 red kites, reed bunting and some large trout. The terrain changed dramatically past the boat house and lower weir into more of a 'jungle'. Here we hit Japanese Knot weed {although much reduced after last years work} and Butterbur. Since we were in the vicinity we popped into look at progress of the archeological dig. Unfortunately the findings   were not confirming the presence of a medieval church and at this time was proving to be a 'medieval mystery'.  The afternoon survey revealed little evidence of invasive plants apart from a small section of Butterbur which was duly noted on our map for later treatment. No Himalayan Balsam was seen in this survey but we hadn't time to cover the river Windrush which has this invader upstream, certainly in the Bourton area. An interesting walk though, by the clear swift flowing Brooks, again with plenty of trout on show. It was also good to see the 3 man made otter holts but no evidence as yet of resident otters.

Damselfly, Banded variety

Today was spent with the Wildlife Trust team on a section of the river Churn in Cirencester, again on tackling invasive plants, the Himalayan Balsam dominating proceedings.  The terrain was challenging with thick plant growth along the river and it also provided me with my first experience in 'waders'. On the plus side it was certainly cooler wading down the river on the trickier stretches of bank but they do make you overheat quickly in the warm June air. The first part of the session required more 'seeking' as we covered an area which had been covered earlier in the week. As we progressed down river  the amount of Balsam mounted dramatically along with the physical effort of removing so many plants and so by close of play it was clear another session would be required to remove the remaining plants. Not quite as pleasant an environment as Sherborne but it did provide a good showing of Damselflies : an impressive Broad bodied Chaser {as seen at Lodgepark} plus Banded , Emerald, Beautiful Demoiselles.

Back in the saddle

Two for one at Greystones

Fit-ish again so attended a Wildlife Trust session at Birdland Bourton removing Balsam, an aggressive annual which has a sizeable impact on more beneficial existing plant life. Good to be doing conservation stuff again with the enthusiastic volunteer team led by Will & Richard. It was a short task {primarily because of the good work done last year} and the work completed not long after midday. As  Greystones nature reserve was not far away I decided to pop in and see if I could spot a water vole or two on the river Eye. I enjoyed a relaxing walk through the meadows where the plant growth was impressive since my last visit. The only wildlife I spotted consisted of three springer spaniels enjoying a dip into the river Eye to retrieve the balls their owner had thrown there. I followed the path by the river Eye back to Greystones but no sign of water voles although I did spot some impressive looking blue dragonflies though, the demoiselles . Quite close to the reserve boundary and the Mink platform, just before I was about to turn away from the river,  I was served up with an even better treat. Sitting on a dead branch which jutted out over the river was not one but two Kingfishers. They allowed me to observe them with my binos but drew the line at the point I tried to reach for my telephoto. No complaints from me and a great way to end the day.

7 of 9 not Star Trek Voyager, but Sherborne style!

Lots to catch up with today at Sherborne after my enforced break. It was to prove a very hot day starting in the morning with gardening duties at 61 and then Northfields car park. Was treated to an interesting break when Mike took me over to the recently started Archaeological dig at the East end of the village. Work had progressed well on revealing the foundations of what looks like the Saxon church {1300s} which marked the initial beginnings of medieval Sherborne! Look forward to seeing the output from this work due to complete 30 June. Bumped into Richard and John from the Wildlife Trust where Mike exchanged more current news with them before they left to continue their good work in the water meadows. Lunchtime proved to be another bonus down by the Sherborne brook. While I had been away the swans had been busy with 9 cygnets an impressive outcome. They were naturally wary of my presence but allowed me to take a few pics. Not to be outdone one of the Tufted duck pairs were showing off their 7 chocolate brown chicks. Further upstream a heron was busy fishing and as I looked into the clear water up by the weir there were some large trout all good news if you like fish. On the way back from lunch a red kite provided a low fly by over the field by the brook, not a bad lunch break for wildlife.

Guilty of malicious damage!

Tree guards for the new elms

Following lunch, after some good local engagement consultancy with one of the villagers, we were to carry on the work Mike had begun on building tree guards for the Elms we planted before my injury. Amazingly local sheep had taken a fancy to some of the 'unguarded' Elms , eaten through the tree protectors and then the Elm saplings. Not what was expected from sheep so priority on getting the tree guards in place had risen to the top of the list. The hot weather , an unhelpful Maddie and biting insects all helped to increase the challenge in this work so still plenty left to do. Ended the day back at the Sherborne offices where I took in the newly completed restoration of the dry stone wall, scaffolding still to be removed.