Well another busy week, last week – lots of finishing old projects, in prep for starting new ones next week. Hurrah!
On the Tuesday we were at Polkemmet Country Park still felling rhododendron alongside the golf driving range. There were possibly less golf balls found than the previous week. After cutting the rhody back, it was taken deep into the nearby woodland to create ‘habitat piles’. These varied enormously in size: there were ones suitable for the smaller beasties and ones large enough, potentially, for deer or wandering buffalo. There were also the elusive ‘snake piles’: although I think this was more descriptive of the shape rather than any animals housed there.
Wednesday we were back (for the final time!) to Blackford Pond. After a lot of hard work barrowing the Type 1 up the hill (well done guys!) the steps were raked and tamped down. There was much discussion as to next time (be there a next time)of how the location of the Type 1 could be altered to make the task of barrowing slightly eaiser. This ranged from: getting the bags airlifted to the top of the hill via helicopter; getting the rangers to attach a bag to a land rover and drag it to the approx location (with the addition of a small hole in the bag to help the Type 1 naturally fall out); and getting the bags delivered to the top of the hill and either pushing, pouring or barrowing it down to the right place.
In the afternoon came the first and second ‘wildflower survey/nature walks’ – which were led by myself and led the small groups around the hill – providing a relaxing alternative to say barrowing Type 1 up a hill. These proved popular and the two groups combined found 5 of the 12 possible species.
On returning from the second walk, we found the steps had been completed (!) and the railing had been painted too.
At the mention of ‘lets get a group photo!’, people ran for cover.
On the Thursday we headed out to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital allotment site, again for the final time. Over the course of the day, both remaining sides of the fence had chicken wire attached; and (somehow) the final gate was finally hung. This was an engineering feat in its own right. Attaching the chicken wire took the longest as there was only one set of ‘Hoober-Doobers’ (a technical term).
Strange objects were found on site including: a fork, a sandal, a small wheel, an empty bottle of bacardi, a full bottle of some medication/antiseptic, half a football and a Time Out wrapper. All bar the last item may indicate some strange treasure hunt or crime scene.
There was a notable absence of rabbits – on either side of the fence. (There is potentially a small flaw with the fence design: we may have inadvertently enclosed rabbits INSIDE the fence).
To view photos of past and present projects and our volunteers in action please click here