Thrupp Green, Saturday 1st of October 2022

This week's blog post was written by the super Sally G.!: 

This week, we had been asked to help the Radley Lakes Trust ("RLT") cut and rake an area of tall vegetation to make it more appealing for ground nesting lapwings when they return to breed next year, as they like to be able to see all around them.  It was a good opportunity for our newly trained scythers to practise their skills and Adrian, our leader for the day, had brought our new scythes for them to use.  We met David Guyoncourt from the RLT at the end of Barton Lane and walked up the path for nearly a mile before we got to Thrupp Green, where David explained our main task for the day (the cut and rake), which also included removing encroaching willow.  

    Although the skies were a little overcast at the start, that did not deter us and whilst the scythers set up, other members of the team got to work lopping the willow saplings. Once the scythers got underway, there was soon plenty to be raked off into heaps.  The sun came out and it was not long before we had to start removing outer layers of clothing.  At our welcome breaktime, we naturally formed into two camps - the sun worshippers and the shade lovers!  
    With five scythers from Green Gym along with David, we managed to cut about half the area in a few short hours.  The heaps of cut vegetation soon grew and looked rather comfy, and it wasn't long before Max and Nicky were joined by Margaret and Rosie as the time came for us to pack up and go!  Max even climbed a tree! 
    David thanked us for our hard work on behalf of RLT.  He would be returning with more volunteers in the week to finish off the job, but we left the site feeling as though we had given them a good head start and with the hope that the lapwings will return again next year to breed.  We then made our way along the gravel path, as David locked the gate behind us.  



Getting ready to scythe

Examining 

Scythers at work

Team shade

Team sun

A big team! 



More reed than man

There are always good hats on display

A nest 

Team work makes the dream work! 

All together now!

Ready for a fashion parade, or to fight crime ... who knows?



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