Reevy Mill Dam

Reevy Mill DamThe day was spent cutting the grass and nettle areas and continuing to clear the path. We also had to remove some damaged tree branches.

Eleven volunteers worked today with a mixture of traditional hand tools - the scythes, sickles and hay rakes - and the auto-scythe with allows efficient cutting at the base of the vegetation.

We normally take our boat to the dam at this time of year to collect litter in the reeds, however today we focused on the waters edge and grassland. Several passers-by commented on the reduction for litter for the site.We appreciate the support of the Clean Team who collected the bulky waste.

Canada Geese with goslingsToday’s visit concentrated on meadow management, this involved cutting some of the grass areas that are likely to be used by the public to keep the site accessible, while leaving other areas to grow long and allow the wildflowers to bloom. This will provide nectar for insects including butterflies during the summer. The site has benefited from regular litter collections but we still managed to collect a number of fly tipped items and general litter. After some further general maintenance we found ourselves in the unusaul position of completing our work. This gave us the opportunity to split into two groups one to visit Brackenhill to check the bridge and the other to visit BEES UNR to check on and remove the giant hogweed.

Today we worked with 12 volunteers

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Using the boat to collect litter We took the boat to the site today so that we were able to collect litter that has accumulated in amongst the reeds. This is the least intrusive time of year for this as moorhens have successfully nested there for a number of years now. It proved very successful and with this and the other litter collected around the site we collected some 15 bags, a shopping trolley, 5 footballs and various bits of plastic toys. Other members of the team were able to make a start on the cutting and raking of the meadow areas. We worked using both the autoscythe on the large flat areas and the hand scythes on the smaller areas and around the borders. This work benefits not only the appearance of the site but will allow the ground flora to develop in particular the meadow cranesbill and vetch which make a good display of colour in the summer.

Today there were 15 volunteers.

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Reevy Mill Dam Fri 5th June 2009

Today the group split to carry out work at two sites. In the morning one group carried out the finishing touches to the path and steps at the BEES Urban Nature Reserve. This was in readiness for the Breathing Places Open weekend. The end result looked very nice.

The rest of the group returned to Reevy Mill Dam and carried out work to install a bench, we now have three on site, litter collection and repairs to the footpath. There was sad news that a number of the fish had died at the pond, which is being investigated by the Council's Drainage Team and we reported it to the Environment Agency who suggested that the cause may be from lack of oxygen. But good news is that a pair of Canadian Geese have raised a brood of chicks, and appear to be developing well. Which was not surprising given the number of people who came to feed them during the course of the day.

I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people taking an interest in the wildlife at the pond. This is rewarding news for the volunteers who look after the site and for thanks for our 7 volunteers today.

See more photos of the day here and here