Sustead and East Beckham Haircuts

12 volunteers pitched up at the Sustead complex on Thursday November 7th, including a new member of the team, Roger E – already a Felbeck Trust bird ringer and a very welcome addition to the work party team. Trevor quickly gave us instructions for the morning – primarily working on the Roadside Nature Reserves, which have been left untouched for quite a long while to allow the plants to flower.

Scythers cut back the grass and brambles, while loppers and rakers tidied up, leaving a hugely improved stretch of verge on both sides of the road heading for the Aylmerton Field Study Centre. We found a fair amount of rubbish (those lazy drivers who throw their empty cans out of the window!), including one rather smart walking boot – but with a split sole, so nobody chose to take it home.

After the obligatory coffee and doughnut break, we split into two groups – one group stayed in Sustead and finished work on the RNRs, focusing on the verges beside the Common and Surveyor's Allotment; while the other group took off for East Beckham Common. At EBC, Seán and Andrew cleared the nettle area around and beyond the pond, as far as the Sycamore tree. Fran cut back the brambles by the turning circle and down the path along the section with the post and rail fence, while Roger gave the Buddleia a serious haircut. Roger also did a bit of Bracken pulling by the picnic area. Val helped to remove every one’s leavings, cut back protruding brambles and branches along the path, and did a little bit of tree care. The gentle “pew” call of Bullfinches and the “ka-chu-chu” of Red-legged Partridges accompanied our labours. Our next work party is at Wood Norton on Thursday November 21st. Peter Maingay November 7th 2024