Tuesday – Farewell to an old friend
Potentially the last day’s work at Polkemmet Country Park, spent clearing rhododendron (some must have grown insanely quickly since last Thursday).
Wednesday – Beecraigs is the new Polkemmet
A new location! Headed out to West Lothian again today…but this time taking the long and winding road to Beecraigs Country Park. We were following a map, and there were signs…but they were a little infrequent.
After meeting the ranger and some of the local residents (including a couple of llamas and Highland coos), we headed out to the heavily forested area to the extreme north of the park entrance. There is promise of many exciting tasks to be done here (including the dismantling of arabbit-proof fence) – but for now we are felling rows of conifers. This is to help open up the plantations, improve access and habitats.
The group was split into 3 – each choosing a line and setting off into the foliage. Pace was great – trees being felled fairly quickly, before being piled up nearby, waiting to be chipped. We were ‘assisted’ in the carrying and piling of the timber by the ranger’s dog.
When pieces were cut from the main tree and thrown on the pile… the dog would bring them back…
The weather was not fabulous, so we spent lunch in the van (rocking somewhat in the wind). Thanks to Sarah for the entertaining quiz and Kirsty for getting Rob up to date on Egyptian history and politics.
Returned to the trees in the afternoon, where everyone had a shot at removing an enormous tree stump.
By end of the day there were nice ‘stepping stone’ paths leading further into the wood – well done everyone!!!
Thursday – Pond digging!
Thursday we returned to Dunbar and Lochend Woods. Fortunately there was no snow down at the coast and we had a nice sunny day! Today we relocated the site of the original loch (hence ‘Loch’end Estate) so some ponds could be dug!
The tasks for the day (scrape pond digging and brash habitat pile creation) were skilfully divided up – due to a shortage of storage space, only a select number of wellies were packed. Thus if you were (lucky) enough to find wellies which fitted – you were on the pond team!
And despite some people claming to dislike pond digging…3 were created in an hour and a half! One is complete with island features – all we need now is some sort of Greek goddess statue for the middle…..So more homes for wildlife created.
In the afternoon, it was back to the brash piles.
Thanks to all who came and especially for Rob for driving – through the gales on the way home.
To view photos of past and present projects and our volunteers in action please click here