Car Park closes at 5pm

Check the Blackwater River to get an idea when the paths maybe flooded. At Eversley Bridge (external site) this occurs when the level is around 0.85 to 0.9m. Or at Blackwater Bridge when the level reaches 1.95 to 2m.

---

---

Volunteer work on the reserve

Tuesday 14th January 2025

On Tuesday a group of BVCP volunteers continued the hedge-laying that had been started by the Sunday volunteers. By the end of the day a stretch of about 50 m had been completed. It looked very neat and impressive.

Work continued with coppicing the two slots left unfinished from Sunday and, although the one near the hedge-laying was completed the one near Moulsham Bridge needs more work so this will be continued in February.

In addition, some clearing was carried out on the Colebrook cut behind the hide to improve the flow of water.

Newly laid hedge ©2025 MGLG

Sunday 12th January 2025

It was a very cold day, but 20 regular and 3 new volunteers braved the weather and turned up. We welcomed Tony Elston, back after recovering from surgery and looking very well. The team were split into 4 groups. Two worked on the hedge-laying led by volunteers Adele Dodgson and John Wheatley who were able to teach our newest volunteers some new skills including pleaching (interlacing branches to form the hedge).

The two other groups worked on coppicing separate lakeside slots (the perimeter of the reserve is divided into slots of about 10m length). One on the path to the river provided posts and binders for the hedge-laying. The second slot, not far from Moulsham Bridge hadn't been tackled for some years and was only partly completed.

Coppicing before and after ©2025 MGLG

Tuesday 10th December 2024

Continuing the working along the north shore of Colebrook Lake North, cutting a view to the owl box from the hide and clearing the bee verticals area.

BVCP volunteers tackled several tasks including having a bonfire lit by Sarah, our bonfire queen. More shoreline willow was removed, and it took about 6 volunteers to feed the fire as it was burning very fast in the stiff breeze.

Another group worked the area around the bee verticals. All the scrub was removed down to the lake to ensure plenty of sunlight reaches the area. The old bee verticals were tidied up and new ones nearer the lake were also created. To finish the job, and stop the cows trampling the area, a small dead hedge was built alongside the track.

Firestarter extraordinaire, Sarah, keeping the fire undercontrol ©2024 MGLG

Further along another small group created a more permanent opening in the shoreline willow to give a good view of the owl box from Colebrook hide.

Sunday 8th December 2024

Not to be deterred by Storm Darragh, which had mostly moved away by the Sunday morning, we decided to carry on with the work party.

The 17 volunteers concentrated on clearing the shoreline willow. It was still a bit too breezy for a bonfire, so it was decided to leave that until the Tuesday. As a result, we had an enormous pile ready to burn.

Shoreline willow removal before and after ©2024 MGLG

During the coffee break we enjoyed warming mulled wine and the many Christmas goodies brought along by volunteers - thanks to everyone who contributed. There were so many we continued to eat them during lunch.

We also had a visit from Tony Elston, our legendary volunteer, who is still recovering from surgery. We hope to see him back soon.

Tuesday 12th November 2024

A large group of BVCP and MGLG volunteers gathered on the track between Colebrook and Grove lakes to tackle a variety of tasks.

The two most important tasks were to mend the fencing alongside the horse fields before the cows are released onto the reserve and to re- enforce around the ochreous stream pipes with pressure treated boards and to replace the upstream fencing to help stop brash blocking the pipe. As you can see, it was a very messy job (below).

Other tasks included opening up the canopy along the track and also on a section of the river path, in the hope that they dry out more quickly after rain. A section of shoreline at the eastern end of Colebrook North was cleared to give a better view of the meadow from the hide.

Digging the ditch (working at the car wash would be better) ©2024 MGLG

Sunday 10th November 2024

A group of 21 volunteers turned out to tackle what is certainly the most challenging task on the work party calendar - to clear Plover Island. Access is made easy via the pontoon. The island is covered with annual and biennial plants, the dreaded bramble and bracken with a few willow and silver birch round the edges. Once removed, everything has to be taken off the island and dragged across the meadow for disposal.

It is impossible to remove everything but the before and after picture shows what a difference the hard working volunteers made.

Clearing Plover Island ©2024 MGLG

Tuesday 15th October 2024

Clearing Tern Island is usually a Sunday task but without our boatman it was left to the Tuesday. In recent years, this has become a relatively easy task. It does not have the bracken and bramble that can be found on Plover Island.

Other BVCP volunteers continued the Sunday work by clearing more shoreline willow. Hedge trimmers were used to cut back the blackthorn encroaching into the meadow and bramble alongside the track north of Colebrook North Lake ready for the Robomower.

Sunday 13th October 2024 - Working along the west shoreline of Colebrook North

Most of the volunteers set out to clear the shoreline of willow, building a dead hedge nearby or adding to the pile that had rotted down from the previous year. Others used hedge trimmers to clear some bramble along pathways ready for the Robomower. Also, the lower branches of several ash trees were removed. The above work was carried out to ensure a good view of the lake from the footpath leading from the car park.

View before (left) and after of west shoreline of Colebrook North ©2024 MGLG

Sunday 10th September 2024 - Working near the birdfeeder paddock

TA multitude of different tasks were completed by the BVCP work party.The paddock was hay cut. Broken wire fencing between the hide and Colebrook Cut was removed and the fence to Colebrook west meadow was repaired. Nearby, the disused tern raft was repurposed as a jetty ready for using during the clearance of Tern Island.

Sunday 8th September 2024 - Mostly working in front of Grove Hide

The new season started with a dry day, ideal for our annual task of clearing the reeds in front of Grove hide, ensuring the nearby stream was flowing freely and removing a few willows with any time left.

Hedge trimmers were used to cut the reeds then they were cleared manually by the volunteers. In addition, the fence alongside the path to Horseshoe Lake was cleared of vegetation and four broken posts replaced.

Only one casualty when Andy took an unexpected dip. Lunch was then enjoyed in the hide.

View before (top) and after to the right of Grove hide ©2024 MGLG

For previous installments click here

If you are interesting in volunteering or for more information on planned work click here

---

Follow us on Facebook