Moor Green Lakes Group
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Updates from our volunteers - 2023
10-Sep-2023 Sunday - Created a Winter view
Clearing the view from Grove hide has become a regular task for the MGLG volunteers now made easier using battery hedge trimmers (used for the first time in 2022). In addition, the stream past the hide was cleared to give a good flow and some willow saplings removed from the reed beds and the acidic scrape.
All this work by the 17 volunteers ensures the willow doesn't take over and provides a good view of Grove Lake for winter bird watching.
Cleared view infront of Grove Hide ©2023 MGLG
12-Sep-2023 Tuesday - Worked near Colebrook hide
Work was carried out near Colebrook hide. The hay cut was carried out in the birdfeeder paddock, the route to the hide trimmed. Some shoreline willow and other saplings removed.
8-Oct-2023 Sunday - Tackled Tern Island and shoreline Willow
Clearing Tern Island of vegetation is an annual task to provide the clear gravel liked by some nesting birds - mainly black-headed gulls and little ringed plovers. In the past, this job has taken a large team all day to achieve but now we seem to be getting on top of the job and it only took a small team of 6 the morning to get it cleared. All weeds are removed from the island by boat.
View of Colebrook North after willow clearance ©2023 MGLG
Other volunteers worked along the western shoreline of Colebrook North clearing saplings, mostly willow, and some large willow that we have not had time do in other years. A large pile was left for the cows to enjoy.
The task of removing the tern rafts and dismantling them began. Over the years they had become more and more dilapidated and no longer suitable for nesting terns.
Thanks to all 24 volunteers for their contribution.
The end of life for this tern raft ©2023 MGLG
10-Oct-2023 Tuesday - Continued the work on the West end of Colebrook North
More work was carried out on the Tern rafts
Volunteers continued to cut back the willow on the western Colebrook shoreline opening a new vista from the footpath to the river.
Eddie, along with Matt, used the Robomower to cut back encroaching bramble in the meadow and to cut back the edges of internal path edges in other parts of the reserve to ensure easy access for vehicles.
The Robomower taking a well earned rest ©2023 MGLG
12-Nov-2023 Sunday - Worked on Plover Island and the nearby shoreline
In November another annual task was tackled - clearing the vegetation from Plover Island. This island is much more of a problem compared to Tern Island owing to large amounts of bramble and bracken in addition to the usual annual weeds. Access is via the pontoon making it easier to remove the vegetation.
Not all the 22 volunteers worked on Plover. A group continued the never-ending task of removing shoreline willow, using it to create a large dead hedge.
Before and after short of Plover Island clearance ©2023 MGLG
14-Nov-2023 Tuesday - The car park
On a very wet day several jobs in the around the car park were completed. The gate was rubbed down ready for painting, but it was too wet to paint. The potholes that had appeared in the car park were filled and the many overhanging branches removed. By lunchtime everyone was thoroughly soaked so Eddie decided it was time to go home.
A group of volunteers basking in the glorious winter weather ©2023 MGLG
10-Dec-2023 Sunday - Helped the wildflowers
Large areas of gorse and bramble were beginning to encroach on the meadow north of Colebrook North Lake reducing its ability to be just a wildflower meadow. Much of this was removed in addition to yet more shoreline willow.
Some new bee verticals were cut into the steep area of the bank and vegetation in danger of shading the area was removed. The bee verticals thrive best in full sun.
The weather was wet, so the large bonfire was very welcome for the 21 volunteers. We rarely have bonfires now, but this is the best way of getting rid of large quantities of gorse and bramble. Some willow was also burnt but the rest made into a dead hedge. Large quantities of Christmas goodies and mulled wine were enjoyed by all.
The meadow North of Colebrook before and after gorse and bramble clearance ©2023 MGLG