Two Pines Fen, Frilford, mid week session, Several dates in March 2023

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 This mid weeks session blog was written by Sally


On 6, 7 and 14 March, Abingdon Green Gym and friends (Rich, Richard and Mike) returned to Two Pines Fen on Frilford Heath Golf Course SSSI for the spring cut and rake and to remove stands of willow.  This particular area of fen is bounded by the green and red golf courses and we can only work on it mid-week.  On 6 and 7 March, the green course was closed for maintenance so we were able to work on that side and focussed on a hard rake, whilst others dug up willow using a mattock.  On 7 March we concentrated on cutting the area of rough, rank vegetation on the opposite side of the track to create favourable conditions for seeds that require light to germinate.  

On Tuesday, 14 March, we returned to the site when the tee for the 16th hole had been closed again for us so that we could work on the area of fen that had been brush cut but was in need of a further cut to remove stubble and rake the thick layer of thatch.  It was hard work but a sunny day.  The passing golfers were very appreciative of our efforts, especially as the raking gleaned a number of golf balls for them to pick the best of the crop.  We also managed to remove some pendulous sedge to prevent that from taking a hold.

We are looking to return to the site on 21 March if we can in order to finish this area and cut some hard rush to prevent that from encroaching further and dominating the fen, which is home to some wonderful mosses, orchids and other fen specialists.

Thanks are due to Adrian, Barbara, Eleanor, Graham, JimB, Michele, Mike, Rich, Richard and Rosie who all turned out to help.  We are hoping that our efforts will result in a good flowering season for the various orchids and other fen specialists, including grass of parnassus, this spring and summer.

the two pines, in the fen!


tea break time!


cutters and rakers


cutting and raking

digging up willow

Barbara armed with a mattock










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