CROW at Maiden Erlegh Local Nature Reserve
1st September 2004
(We were enjoying the last of the Summer sunshine!)
This was one of our frequent visits to this site. One of the joys of visiting
this site is that we seldom know beforehand what task (or tasks) we will be
undertaking, and this visit was no exception.
The morning was spent clearing recently cut vegetation from one of the wild
flower areas. Leaving the vegetation to decay would increase the soil's
fertility, improving the growing conditions for the grasses to the detriment
of the wild flowers. Clearing also helps scatter the ripened seeds.
By way of a contrast, in the afternoon we worked on re-profiling part of
the lake bank to make it less steep allowing the introduction of more water
loving plants and in particular, a reed bed to be created.
Note: A extensive area of reeds has now been planted with which CROW
assisted on a visit in the May 2006.
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The Morning Task
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Alan and John rake up the mown vegetation.
Grahame, the head ranger, joins the fun!
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Loading the tractor. Removal prevents the soil
gaining nutrients as the vegetation decayed.
Additional nutrients would benefit the grasses
causing them to out compete the wild flowers.
Claire, one of the rangers, compresses the load.
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A local resident enjoying the fruits of our labour.
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The Afternoon Task
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Reshaping the lake's bank to help water-loving
plants colonise it.
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The CROW team working hard.
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