Abbey Fishponds - Saturday, 1 June 2024

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Blog by Sally.  Photos by Adrian, Eleanor and Sally

On Saturday, 1 June, we returned to Abbey Fishponds, a local nature reserve which is now managed by the Earth Trust.  There were 14 of us altogether, led by Adrian, who had received instructions to cut the vegetation from the sides of the pathway and cut the area of grass near the entrance off Radley Road and around the dog waste bins, which we had not managed to finish when we were last here on Easter Saturday.  We assembled at the end of Hadland Road and as Adrian was giving our instructions on the tasks to be done, we spotted a goldfinch fledgling being fed by one of its parents at the top of a tree in one of the gardens.  Before setting off, Eleanor took the opportunity to sell some of her delicious homemade raspberry jam.  

We carried the tools to camp, where a number of froglets hopped out of our way. The combination of rain and some sunshine meant everything had grown like topsy!  So much so, that the Council had been out in the preceding day or so to cut the grass by the path, so we had a bit less to do ... or so we thought as Adrian then told us of other areas that needed scything and raking!  We also were asked to cut low overhanging branches and use them for the soggy areas of the path to help save people's shoes from getting muddy.  Five trained scythers set to work, whilst others grabbed loppers and saws and sought out low branches.  We took care with passers-by and are delighted to report that no toes were lost!!  The weather turned out rather milder than the forecast had predicted and it stayed dry.

At breaktime, Eleanor served up a marbled cake that she had baked to celebrate Graham's recent birthday.  It was smothered in chocolate icing and mini eggs.  Graham was very pleased with it (as were we all, to be fair!)  He got quite a few birthday cards, too and we sang "Happy Birthday" to him.

Having finished the scything on the "Radley Road" side including around one of the dog bins so dog walkers will be able to access it more easily, we then transferred to the bridge, where we'd been asked to cut back the vegetation in a couple of areas, taking care to leave a buffer for any passing water vole, which have been known to live in the stream.  These are now very rare little animals which eat grasses and other plants and make little larders of cut grass.  It would be lovely to see these restored to their original numbers as they are quite delightful.

By this time, the path restorers had finished their job, having taken care to cut branches into the right lengths to straddle the path and then lay them close together so that they could be trodden on safely.  The rest of the branches were put into pre-existing heaps which will form habitat piles for invertebrates and amphibians.

It was all hands on deck to finish the cut and rake, but we did it and hopefully, it will mean that a range of plants can flourish in these areas which will improve the biodiversity.  Time was called and we packed up our tools before making our way home feeling as though we had done a good morning's work.

Margaret scything vegetation

Carolyn and Ursula clear away the cut vegetation

Synchronised scything by Olivia and Rosie

Emma, Kevin and Philip work on the log path

Philip sawing overhanging branches some of which have been used on the path

Emma lops away

Philip and Kevin working on the log path

Philip tackles willow

Mud, what mud? One log path!

Eleanor cutting Graham's birthday cake

Break time!

One dog bin easily accessible!

One mown area

One clear path

Cutting and raking near the bridge

All hands on deck

Dieuwke and Lesley having a whole heap of fun!

The rush to finish!

Rosie and Olivia cleaning and oiling the scythe blades, ready for next time

The finished area

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