Boundary House Fen, Frilford Heath Golf Course - Saturday, 19th September 2026

Blog by Sally.  Photos by Julio and Sally

On a fine, but slightly overcast morning, we returned to Boundary House Fen on Frilford Heath Golf Course to continue with the autumn cut and rake, working under the direction of consultant ecologist, Rod d'Ayala.  Rod briefed the group and set the scythers off to cut the fresh re-growth since we last visited the site, and asked the remainder of the group to rake the cut material from his recent stint at brush-cutting.  We were assisted by one of his colleagues, Sam.  There were 6 scythers among us and 8 rakers.

One of the tasks was to cut the growing vegetation from around the main runnel, which had been created to divert water from the stream to re-wet the fen as part of the restoration project.  Some years ago, the stream had been dug out and has acted like a ditch, draining water from the fen.  Other scythers were asked to go to the far side of the fen and continue with the cut of the new growth of reed and rush.  This is essential work so that the smaller fen plants get essential light for them to grow and for their seeds to germinate.  The fen plants also do not tolerate nutrient rich soils, so we need to rake off the cut material to prevent nutrients from building up.  Also, the resulting thatch blocks out light and covers exposed muddy areas, into which insects often like to lay their eggs.

It was lovely to see Judy Webb, who had been to see our handiwork at the neighbouring Two Pines Fen earlier in the month, and joined us briefly.  Whilst on site, Judy found two new species for Boundary House Fen, some larvae of the Flecked General Soldierfly, which thrive in muddy pools, and a young Wood Mushroom, Agaricus silvicola, which we were very excited about.  Rod also spotted a bullhead fish, which is lovely because it is a native, but on the other hand, it might be partial to the larvae of insects which we are trying to encourage on the fen!  Conservation is not an easy game!

As the morning progressed, the sun did make an appearance through the clouds and we very soon warmed up.  We enjoyed a welcome break - even more so than usual, as Carolyn had been busy in the kitchen and made some delicious chocolate brownies which she handed round to everyone.  We then set back to work until Kevin called time at our packing up time of 12.30.  All-in-all, a great morning's work.

Rod briefs the group on the tasks to be carried out

The first wave of Green Gymmers venture to the far side of the site armed with rakes and pitchforks as Rod looks on

The transformation of the fen over the past few years is incredible.  When we first started working here, there seemed to be nothing but trees and tall, dense reed.

Graham and Carolyn set to work raking the cut material

One way to help re-wet the fen is for us to pack in the cut material to the stream.  Rhian is trampling it in.  It will eventually rot down and over time will build up the height of the stream bed, making it shallower.

Our leader Kevin at the vanguard!

Duckweed has made an unwelcome appearance.  Rod asked us to smother it to help prevent it from spreading.

Break time!  Always a good opportunity to catch up over a cuppa.  We were joined by Rod and his colleague, Sam on the right.

Suitably refreshed after break, we returned to work.  Here we have Rosie, Dieuwke, Roger and Kevin

Volunteers dotted all over the site, beavering away

One of the tasks was to cut the regrowth of the vegetation along the runnel.  This was scythed directly onto the bund, which has built up over time, running along the middle of the photograph

The main runnel after scything and raking

The fen as we left it.  We will return in early November to continue the good work.

These are the Guelder roses which Simon had dug up from the middle of Two Pines Fen earlier in the month that have been heeled in by the Golf Course team.  It may be that they will be left here or one or two might be transplanted.  Their flowers are great for pollinators and the red berries they produce will provide a valuable food source for birds in the autumn and winter.

The Stratiomys larvae which Judy found.  She subsequently identified them to be Flecked General Soldierfly larvae.  A first record of these for this site!  They breathe through the long tubes at their bottoms.

This was the second new record for the site - a very young Wood Mushroom.  It is a large Agaricus that turns yellow on bruising.  A marvellous find by Judy.

At breaktime, this little fella landed on Dieuwke.  It was placed on the nearest tree.  It's a hairy shieldbug, often associated with blackthorn.

A sign of autumn - a conker-laden Horse Chestnut tree by the Greenkeepers' compound