Boundary House Fen, Frilford Heath Golf Course - Saturday, 14th February 2026

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Blog by Sally.  Photos by Adrian, Julio and Sally

For the second time in a week, we went to Frilford Heath Golf Course, but this time we were working on Boundary House Fen, the larger sister to Two Pines Fen, where we had been on Tuesday.  It is another alkaline fen, which we have been helping to restore for over a decade.  It was a glorious sunny morning.  There were 13 of us and we met Rod d'Ayala, consultant ecologist on site.

Rod briefs the group

With only four scythers in the group, we had our work cut out for us as the main task was to continue with scything and raking the tall, rank vegetation following on from where we had left off when we were here last month.  This is essential for the emerging fen flora, such as orchids, which would otherwise be out-competed for light by the tall rush and reed.  Whilst the scythers got going, some people were asked to cut back bramble from the far edge, which borders onto the adjoining houses, and form a dead hedge, which will provide good habitat for invertebrates.  A few others helped move the cut vegetation from our last visit to assist Rod in blocking a breach in the dam, which he has created in order to re-wet the fen.  Lesley chose to dig out emerging hemlock from the hedgerow.  This is a biennial, so by removing it completely, it prevents it from spreading through germination.

Rod surveys the scene just before we start work

The edge of the area to be scythed and raked

Work begins

Julio, Carol, Eleanor and Rhian cut back bramble, which they will then use to form a dead hedge.  
If left unchecked, the bramble will take over the fen, as well as encroach onto the neighbouring garden.

Carol, Eleanor and Rhian tackle the bramble

Adrian sharpens his scythe blade

Eleanor brandishes a cut burdock - this will prevent it from seeding on the fen

The rank vegetation is lying every which way, which made it tricky to scythe and meant the scythers had to do their scything dance in order to get behind the vegetation to cut it.

Kevin and Simon clear the cut vegetation, as Jim, Adrian and Barbara scythe

No, it's not Giant Haystacks or the Green Man - somewhere under there is Simon!

Jim, Carolyn and Dieuwke at work

Break time!
Always welcome.

Rhian and Carol step away - the bramble is cleared and the dead hedge is done

The last push to get everything raked up and put onto existing heaps

Looking back over the area we have cleared at the end of our session

Adrian found signs of a water vole - a larder of cut vegetation - the 45 deg angle is a sign of a vole

Gorse in flower - looking resplendent in the sunshine

A fungus on a tree - we're not sure which species it is

And we couldn't sign off without wishing all our readers a Happy Valentine's Day.  Just spreading the love!


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