Dry Sandford Pit - Saturday 27th September 2025

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 Blog by Eleanor, photos by Julio

This Saturday we were at Dry Sandford Pit, managed by BBOWT, where we had been asked to work on the fen area, clearing scrub, which was mostly sprouting alder. We had been warned that there were now cattle grazing on the site and a notice warned dog walkers to keep their dogs on a lead.

Adrian gives a briefing




 We made our way to the grassy area above the fen and made our encampment. A gap in the barrier which is intended to keep dogs and people out, had been left to allow cattle through. Carrying saws and loppers, we made our way on to the fen to start work. It wasn't as wet as we feared and the weather, though cloudy, was fairly mild.

Into the fen





Working



Soon, we had many piles of sprouting alder. Some had grown into saplings and needed saws.

A bovine visitor



We started carrying and dragging the heaps of cut branches and piling them up at the entrance to the fen.

Tea break



After the break, some people chose to cut back brambles round the edge of the grassy area above the fen. The rest of us continued with the scrub cutting in the fen. it would have been quite peaceful, had it not been for the remote control jet plane enthusiasts indulging their hobby on the nearby airfield. I believe this is a progression from small boys running around with their arms stretched out, while making aeroplane noises..
We finished off dragging the remaining branches to the fen entrance.

Huge heaps on either side of the entrance



Carolyn found a dead European hornet.

European hornet (vespa crabro)



These hornets are predators of all sorts of insects and beetles, including honey bees, and can be up to 3cm long.

We collected up our tools and made our way back to the car park.


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