A Heathering we will go!

Heathering weaved & twisted to secure top of hedge

Richard with chainsaw applying finishing touches

From RSPB scrapes side, work  remaining at Birch Copse end

Finished hedge with a couple of heatherings to spare

On a misty tuesday morning set off to Sherborne water meadows to meet up with the Wildlife Trust to resume the hedging work started in March. It being Easter it was a small {6} volunteer team lead by Richard who arrived with the essential 'heatherings' {hazel bundles},  his expertise and instruction graphics. Initially confidence wasn't high in becoming competent at heathering but with suitable prompting by Richard, and getting on with it, a respectable outcome was achieved. Weaving the hazel between the stakes and twisting the hazel stakes around each other eventually achieved the desired effect of holding the hedge firmly in place. It certainly made it clear that the previous positioning of the stakes and construction of the pleachers can make it easier or harder for the heathering to follow! Hopefully when the remainder of the hedge is layed next season the lessons learnt will stand us all in good stead.

A good blog by Martin Harper illustrating the difficulty in having meaningful discussions on Conservation with people who won't accept rational argument when profit or privilege is at stake. In this case this concerns brood management, DEFRA  and sadly involves a conservation organisation which has lost the plot {bit like Botham}. Revealing piece by Wildlife Trust on the state of rivers inspite of stirling efforts by volunteers//trusts over recent years.