Fishpond Wood: 28-03-2017

 

Snippedy doo dah, snippedy aye

My oh my, what a wonderful day

Plenty of rhodies coming our way

Snippedy doo dah, snippedy aye

This little song just about sums up the NCVs' job in Fishpond Wood this week. On our first visit there this year - guess what? We were asked to prune off the new rhododendron growth that is determinedly making its way up towards the sky from the remaining stumps left from earlier culls. (Why doesn't that surprise us?) So that's what we did.  After all - we don't want the rhodies to take a hold again do we? Perhaps by next year they will start to take the hint and give up. 

We should always live in hope.

Eyes down, look in, and get busy snipping.

Little piles of snipping started to appear all over the place.

There were 22 of us out today so we were a few pairs of loppers short. 
No worries - bow saws could be used for the thicker stems.

 It was a day of befores....

...and afters.

 Before....

... after.

A definite 'after' shot!

The lake looked very tranquil. 
These little rhodie sprouts will have to be left until after the nesting season.
Currently the moorhens will probably be using the clumps for cover.

 At coffee time we sang happy birthday to Anita (third from left).
Not looking bad for 21.
(Thanks for the cake Anita!)

Nick was looking deep in thought at lunchtime.
Then Dave turned up with his birthday cake - that perked Nick up!
Happy Birthday Dave - a mere 22.

There was so much brash that we had to start burning.
Student James tended the fire well and this heap eventually disappeared. 
There are still a number of other piles to be dealt with.

Ros E.