We worked with a group from YBS today to complete the annual tasks of cutting and raking the meadow and clearing vegetation from the pond.
The majority of the cutting was done using the hand scythes as we still do not have a functioning auto-scythe. However, we made good progress by hand and finished off with the mower. The presence of a lot of frogs in the main meadow area reminded us why it is better not to cut too close to the ground, giving a place of refuge for the animals. We always aim to leave about 10% of the meadow long as well.
In the pond we cleared rushes and flag iris from each side of the bridge so there is more chance of open water for pond-dipping. Brambles, roses and Blackthorn suckers were cut back from around the seating areas and where they were encroaching on the paths.