This week we headed off to Calderbank – a Grassland Site situated between Woodside Drive and Monkland Canal.
Six areas were identified for cutting however these areas were dominated by Rosebay Willowherb (also known as Blooming Sally or Fireweed) – a perennial herbaceous plant which spreads by seed.
Battling against the elements of wind and rain we persevered and and these six areas were strimmed, rotavated and then spread with grass seed. The cuttings were wheelbarrowed to an awaiting skip.
The proposed management objective of this particular project was for the purposes of Amenity and Biodiversity. Reducing the Rosebay dominance will therefore benefit other species in the mix and the visual benefit will reduce the vegetation height of these areas.
The week was rounded off by the discovery of an EAR! Not a human ear but Jew’s ear fungus. This type of fungus is often found growing on elder or birch trees. Pale brown in colour it resembles a human ear……An eerie end to a rain soaked week.