Sayers Common Pond / Talbot Field / Super Sunday Event.
This summer we have undertaken many nature conservation activities/events. To cover some of these we combine several of them in one report rather than issue a number of individual ones.
Sayers Common Pond.
Following on from our successful barn owl breeding season, group concentration was immediately focussed on the woodland pond area at Sayers Common which had become very overgrown. Our first task was to clear the track leading to the car park area to allow volunteer’s vehicles and the tools required to utilise the area in front of the pond.
Blackthorn, bramble and other invading brush had made the track impassable.
It was quickly tackled to enable access to the work area.
All cuttings were removed so that vehicles could proceed.
Having cleared the driveway our next task was the car park itself. It appears that ragwort had found perfect growth conditions this year for we faced an ‘ocean’ of yellow amongst the brambles, teasels and nettles. The volunteers addressed the task energetically and began the clearance work required to allow the vehicles to gain access to the pond area.
A blanket of ragwort, thistle, nettle, bramble and teasel had overgrown the vehicle parking area….
….the clearance of which became the next task to achieve.
Volunteers worked hard to make the area useable again.
It took many hours….
….but steadily progress was made.
Having cleared a significant area, the volunteers finally reached the cabin kindly provided by the landowners and took a well-deserved break for refreshments.
The cabin was revealed….
….and a well-earned break was taken.
The work then resumed….
….until the vehicles could once again access the car park….
….and tools were able to be transported closer to the work area.
It was at this point they were able to tackle the pond and its immediate surroundings and began the required overgrowing brush clearance from around the banks.
The volunteers prepared to tackle the pond clearance.
With a mounting accumulation of cuttings requiring disposal….
….a bonfire was started….
….within the cleared car park.
With the swirling wind, it was often difficult for people to navigate a route….
….through the resulting smoke.
The clearance of the pond banks….
….required many wheelbarrow trips to the bonfire site.
Steadily the work progressed….
….and access to the pond was finally achieved.
The main pond was gradually revealed together with its subsidiaries.
Following weeks of hard work, the pond began to assume its original attractive state as the final cuttings and debris were cleared from the area.
The picturesque wildlife pond became evident….
….now cleared of all encroaching brush and visible to all.
Talbot Field.
Following complaints from neighbouring properties about the general intense growth of ragwort this summer at Talbot Field small nature reserve in Hassocks, a special ragwort removal day was arranged on a Saturday morning at the end of July.
Talbot Field entrance gate….
….with a group notice board attached to indicate our work involvement.
A working party gathered and energetically tackled the task. It was a laborious task but by lunchtime all signs of ragwort had disappeared thanks to their effort. Ragwort tends to inflame passions in people due to its danger to livestock if eaten but in the right location can be a valuable addition to support cinnabar moths, soldier beetles and other insects. The downside remains in its ability to seed and prolifically spread into adjoining locations. With nature areas quite often adjoining gardens, animal grazing pasture or other more sensitive areas, this remains a problem to be dealt with promptly to reduce complaints and any adverse consequences.
The offending plants were vigorously tackled.
Volunteers scoured the location….
….to ensure all offending plants were identified.
Each one was removed….
….and placed in a wheelbarrow….
….for disposal.
The specifically designed ragwort forks….
….made the task much easier….
….and very soon the site was clear, much to the relief of the neighbouring residents.
Super Sunday Event.
On September 12th we joined with many other stall holders with a presence on Hurstpierpoint High Street to advertise the work of our group and to raise funds for our work. The mastermind behind this initiative was one of our valued supporters, Mrs Evelyn Hole, who organised the tables and bric-a-brac sales with all funds going to our group. We are very grateful to her for her considerable effort and time.
Evelyn Hole kindly organised the group fund raising stall for the event.
The second table displayed a barn owl box, dormouse boxes, bat boxes and a photo-board illustrating the multitude of nature conservation initiatives currently being pursued. News Sheets from previous years were also on sale.
Group committee members and volunteers tended the tables throughout the day.
It gave us a valued opportunity to discuss our work with many interested people and answer their questions. There appeared to be a lot of enthusiasm for our effort from the public which we found encouraging.
A lot of interest was shown.
The time and effort undertaken by the group to support nature appeared to be appreciated.
A lot of people signed our Register of Interest to become supporters with many offering in addition to be volunteers and help with our work. Many financial contributions from the public were received to assist our effort which we were very grateful for. The amount received will help us tremendously with our ongoing costs to undertake our nature conservation activities.
Interest continued throughout the day.
Many thanks go to Evelyn, Rosemary and the group member volunteers, Graham, Jennie, Pat, John and Terry who ran the tables from 11.00am to 6.00pm and made the event worthwhile. In the absence of our usual public talks which have been prevented by Covid-19 restrictions, this occasion was very valuable to our group.