Barton Fields - Saturday, 30th August 2025

By -

Blog by Sally.  Photos by David, Michele and Sally

On Saturday, 30 August, Abingdon Green Gym took part in the annual rake of Barton Fields, a local wildlife site managed by David Guyoncourt and Graham Bateman of the Abingdon Naturalists Society's Green Team.  Each year, David and Graham arrange for the wildflower meadow to be cut by a local farmer and then the cut hay needs to be raked up to prevent nutrient build-up (as our native wild flowers prefer less fertile soil) and to allow light for wildflower seeds to germinate to ensure a good display of flowers next spring and summer, thus providing much needed pollen and nectar for numerous invertebrates.  Twelve Green Gymmers joined members of the Green Team along with Troy from Sophos and Sheena from the Radley Lakes Trust.  We were slightly depleted in numbers as three people were away on a first aid course.  This is one of Green Gym's favourite sites and tasks to do.

The new Barton Fields Information Board

David briefs the team, warning us of hazards - a wasps' nest and the possibility of more as well as uneven ground.  Unfortunately, there was more than one nest and two people were stung.  Luckily, an application of antihistamine cream helped alleviate the worst of the symptoms and both were able to continue working.  

Clutching rakes, pitchforks and drag sheets, we made for the far end of the main field to finish off the raking carried out by the Green Team the previous couple of days.

We were asked to take the hay to existing heaps.  These provide valuable refuges for a wide range of creatures, including grass snakes.

We made good progress in fine weather, raking up the rows of cut hay.

Philip spotted this wasp spider - it was his first and also a first for the site.  David was delighted with this find.

We also disturbed a couple of toadlets whilst raking, including this little one.  Both were taken to a place of safety.

Break time!  We enjoyed a variety of biscuits and treats over a coffee and a chat, which is a valuable part of Green Gym.

James, Michele and Kevin continue the hard work of clearing the hay after break.  Having finished raking the main field, we moved to the next area.

Kevin and Carolyn raking

The last push to get it all done!

One raked field!

We left the site pleased that we had managed to finish the job in time.  David was very grateful and thanked everyone for their efforts.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Abingdon Clubs and Societies Day, 29th March 2014

By Andrew -
Image
This was the bi-annual Abingdon Clubs and Societies Day, held at the Guildhall in the town centre.  It provides us along with the many other groups and organisations in Abingdon with the chance to have a stall and demonstrate to those attending what we get up to.  Also, it is a good opportunity to attract new members. Dieuwke was in charge of organising the stall this year.  We were placed opposite the Abingdon Naturalists Society who we regularly hold joint sessions with, but there were many other groups present whose activities do not overlap. We received much interest, with several people registering interest.  We look forward to welcoming new members over the coming weeks. -Andrew Dieuwke, Kevin and Carolyn at the Green Gym stall There was much interest in our activities during the day Information on our activities and marmalade for sale! Poster outside the Guildhall Abingdon Guildhall
Read more

Jarn Mound and Wild Garden, Boars Hill, 12th November 2016

By Andrew -
Image
Four weeks after our last session with the Oxford Preservation Trust at Boars Hill, we returned, albeit at Jarn Mound this time rather than the Elizabeth Daryush Garden; which had been our venue in October. We again met with  Rachel Sanderson of the trust, who along with our leader of the day, James, outlined the tasks for the morning.  Primarily, we were to clear the mound itself of scrub and tree saplings that had taken root there, with the intention of restoring it to its original state.  There were also some flatter areas of the garden that required clearing, for the less intrepid among us. Unfortunately, the day had begun a little on the inclement side.  Indeed as we arrived, the rain fell persisently, making many of us wonder if the session would go ahead at all!  But of course, the Green Gymmers are renowned for working whatever the weather, and the damp conditions did not deter us. A couple of problems were immediately evident due to the rain...
Read more