November Worky Day
Sunday, November 7th 2021
There was a fantastic turnout for the weekend work party on Saturday. The weather wasn't as bad as the forecast predicted and there was even a rainbow for the lunch time group photo.
There was plenty of work to do clearing the coppiced willow. Although it looks dramatic all of the willow trees will grow back with vigour and will live for longer as a result.
In the morning, there were mountains of brash to be cut up into smaller pieces using loppers and hand saws.
Most of the willow had been coppiced (cut to ground level) but some of the larger trees were pollarded (cut to head height). By this time next year there will be several feet of new growth.
Smaller branches were put through a woodchipper and the chippings will be used on some of the footpaths around the reserve.
Larger logs were put to one side; hefty work!
As the saying goes 'many hands make light work' and it wasn't long before the brash was cleared away. A hearty lunch of 'range stew and dumplings' fuelled the team for the afternoon.
Work in this area will be continuing over the coming weeks so if you have a use for any birch or willow then please get in touch with the Reserve Managers.
A lot of hard work goes into the preparation of these practical days from ordering food and baking cakes to counting out tools and washing up at the end of the day.
Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who ensured that it ran smoothly and to everyone who joined in to help manage this important habitat.
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Undergrowth Newsletter
Undergrowth Newsletter Winter 2020/21 Issue 54

Find out what has been going on at the reserve during the lockdown!
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Recent Blog Posts
- More Nature
- Tread Quietly, Tread Gently
- Plenty To See
- No Snow, No Hail
- Tawny Owls and Grey Herons
- More Flowers
- Nature
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- Nesting Time
- Winter Spring
- Warm Days
- Biscoff Cheesecake, Brownies and Bakewell Tarts!
- A Busy Day for Some
- Volunteers at Work
- Around the Reserve
- A Ringing Day
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- More Spring Photos
- Moths!
- A Special Visit
- Spring Has Sprung!
- Reducing, Reusing and Recycling!
- Almost Spring
- Thank you!
- Ringing Resumes!
- Arrival of Spring
- Strong Support
- Back To Work!
- We Are Open!
- Update
- Temporary Closure
- Large, Little and In Between
- The Weather
- A Wild Worky Day!
- Malik and Corrie
- Forest School Fun
- Winter Work
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- Thank You and Congratulations!
- Job Jobbed!
- Hazel, a Hedge and more High Vis!
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- Many Happy Returns!
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- Sheer Dedication!
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- Edward the Elf Returns!
- Sunshine and Blue Skies
- More Clearing Up
- December Winter Worky Day
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- Considerate Contributions
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- Look Both Ways
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- Traditional Woodland Skills
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- November Worky Day
- Woodland Work
- All About Fungi
- Look North
- Autumn Views at Foxglove
- Happy Halloween
- Bat Monitoring
- Forest Fun
- Hazel Coppice
- Wildlife Activity Day
- Winter Visitors
- Fungi Walk
- Happy Holidays!
- Bakewells, Banana Cake and Brushcutting!
- A Busy ‘Typical’ Day?
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- Autumn Bird Ringing
- Changing Seasons
- Moths
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- Redwing
- Lively Livestock!
- Meadow Management
- Half Term Plans
- Autumn Worky Day
- QAVS Award on Display
- The Beginnings of Autumn
- Weekly Round Up
- Busy Bees
- Views Around the Reserve
- Colours
- Army Welfare Service
- Ringing at the Crater
- Hints of Autumn
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