During our very successful inspection of bat roosting and hibernation boxes in the late summer of 2017 we found one hibernation box which was obviously occupied by hornets. The presence of the large insects kept the inspection team a respectful distance away. The presence was noted and plans made to revisit the box in the winter when the cold weather would have killed the occupants.

When we returned many months later in the cold weather we found the insects gone and the box completely full with the nest they had built. It had to be emptied to give bats the opportunity to re-occupy the box. The nest had been constructed in a very skilful way to fill every centimetre of available space inside the box and included an area beneath as they had expanded their colony further. A few dead hornets remained.

The nest was carefully removed and the box cleaned out. Despite being an amazing example of hornet skill and ingenuity it had prevented the box being utilised for its intended purpose to house hibernating bats. We work hard to increase survival prospects for the diminishing number of bat species in our area so are hopeful that next year it is occupied as intended. We have found however that hornets often come back to the same locations on successive years so are slightly apprehensive that the problem might be repeated. We have asked for a volunteer to mount guard on the box next summer to drive any invading hornets away but so far there have been no takers.

                                                                            Unwelcome visitors have rendered this hibernation box out-of-action.       

                                                                                         An example of hornet construction skills found within.            

The 2017 summer proved very busy with weekly volunteer activity days. This caused a delay in meeting all seasonal activities and as a result the work normally undertaken at Sayers Common Pond was displaced in our schedule. We attempted to catch up at the end of 2017 and worked into December to achieve it. Due to the steepness of the banks, the high water level and the difficulty in working in the freezing cold water, a small working party was employed rather than advertising weekly general appeals to all volunteers.

The working party achieved a lot but were unable to complete everything hoped for due to the arrival of the seasonal demand to maintain all group owl boxes before the next breeding season. The work at the pond will resume as soon as this is completed.

Brush re-growth around the pond, excessive spread of rushes within it and re-growth of willow from areas previously cleared were some of the tasks addressed. The temperature of the water on some very icy days required increased layers of clothing to be worn beneath waders but even this did not prevent the cold penetrating. Due to the general dampness of the days and the wet cuttings removed all cleared debris proved a problem to burn. The team worked very hard however and much was achieved. With frost and fog in abundance on these days it caused any meal breaks taken to be of much shorter duration than normal. Rarely have volunteers been so eager to get back to work again to warm up.

                                                               Volunteers brave the cold weather to improve the condition of the woodland pond.

Volunteer work parties are engaged in weekly project days at a woodland pond in Reeds Lane, Sayers Common until the autumn.

The work consists of:-

• clearance of fallen and overhanging trees and brush,
• clearing the pond of unwanted vegetation,
• removing the leaf silt that has accumulated over many decades,
• planting indigenous pond plant species and,
• creating hibernaculums for the indigenous amphibians to use for winter hibernation.

The overall pond area is punctuated by banks, trees and smaller accumulations of residual water. This shows clearance progress on the largest pond.

Anyone wishing to be added to the group’s Register of Interest to become a supporter or to volunteer to join the working parties should contact Michael Nailard giving name and contact details. No membership fee is required. Group activity information and annual news sheets will be periodically circulated to all on the Register. Email:  dralianmarine@aol.com        Telephone: 01273 834001

Project days are selected according to the weather forecast and majority volunteer availability. An advisory email is circulated to all volunteers prior to the day selected for them to attend if they wish.

A number of group tools are always available on site but often volunteers prefer to bring their own. Suitable rough clothes, gardening gloves and sturdy footwear are recommended. A pair of gumboots might occasionally be required. Any sun or insect protection etc. that you normally require should be brought with you and used as necessary.

From October until April each year working parties undertake meadow restoration and brush clearance activities at Pond Lye SNCI.

The same procedures and requirements listed for the Sayers Common woodland pond project days apply for this work.

The work period is through months of colder weather so suitable warm clothing should be worn.

Volunteers work at a rate and effort they are comfortable with. Many different work roles are undertaken to give volunteers a choice of activity according to their preferences.

Whatever task is undertaken is helpful to the overall progress of the project.

Start times are always quoted in project day notifications and some volunteers will be in attendance for the whole day for others to join according to the time they can spare. However short the time you can give it is helpful as work shared is work halved for others during your period of attendance.

Students from Plumpton College join us for a project day.