Old Berkeley Golf course - Saturday 4th May 2024

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 Blog by Eleanor, photos by Sally, Kevin and Eleanor

It was a beautiful, sunny day as a good number of Green Gymmers met in Berkeley Road for our task on the Old Berkeley Golf Course next to Abrahams Wood. We were also joined by three Oxford Preservation Trust volunteers. The site was looking at its best, covered in buttercups and the hawthorn blossom out.






Our main task was to scythe and dig up rushes growing along the watercourse at the bottom of the valley, to encourage ivy leaved crowfoot. The dug up rushes would then be made into bunds which would make the water spread out into pools. Another task was to clear around the lower gate into Abrahams wood.





Ivy leaved crowfoot




We set about our various tasks, scything, raking, digging and clearing. After tea break some of us went on a tour of Abrahams Wood to see the bluebells before it was too late, as they were almost past their best. This is a great site to see English bluebells (hyacinthoides non scripta) between mid April and early May.






Part of the work after the break was to make bunds from the dug up rushes, which you can see in the photo.  





                       


                 

                 


   

           Meanwhile, the work of scything, raking and clearing continued.                                                                                                                                            

 



            

                                          


                                               

                     

There were some lovely wildflowers and even some wildlife to be seen - buttercups and daisies, lady's smock and a toad.



                                  


                      


                                

                                                          

  In fact, it was hard to persuade some people to stop at 12.30, collect up the tools and make our weary way back up the hill.


Dieuwke and Margaret at the gate.


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