Biodiversity walk with LBHF officers
Scrubs ecology walk 30th June 2022
Led by Stefan Czeladzinski and Steve Hollingworth from LBHF
Kate McVay from IDVerde and colleagues
Stephen Waley-Cohen, Emma Ranson, Smita Davé, Amanda Kinsman, Sarah and Jane Abrahart, John and other Friends from FOWWS.
- The walk started in Martin Bell wood which to date has been beautifully managed by the Wise brothers, with a delicate touch and with particular attention to the butterfly population. This is the most bio-diverse part with butterfly friendly plants, kidney vetch, violets as well as grassland within the woods.
-Following the sad news of the death of Stuart Wise, we discussed how best to provide a memorial for him in the woods. Amanda related to us that the best way would be to keep up the maintenance of these woods as before. The threat of brambles taking over is a major issue, Kate advised autumn would be the best time to tackle when all fruit has been picked. S-WC suggested that the new growth which is already sprouting would be best uprooted now to lessen the work later as much effort will be needed to ensure it does not return to a thorny wilderness.
- Martin Bell Wood (as well as, separately, the central meadow) will be divided into quadrants, each to be managed in rotation over a four year cycle in the non-nesting winter months.
- An inventory of all flora and fauna was suggested by Emma to monitor biodiversity, a time consuming exercise and currently not on the agenda but will be looked into.
-Walk through Gaelic football pitches – Stef agreed to reduce run off space around the pitches with no mow areas to encourage wild grasses to flourish in response to Smita asking why this mown area had expanded significantly recently.
- The variety of grasses to the east and south of the Gaelic football pitches is exceptional (as well as beautiful) and grassland being a fantastic storage system for locking up carbon (with its extensive root system underground) and as important as trees and hedges, it was agreed that this area will also need maintenance. Stef and Kate will be undertaking management in the autumn so that briars and brambles do not overtake this area as in the central meadow.
-Kate Mcvay will lead hedge laying of remaining hedges around the south and south east edge of meadow from October.
- Chestnut tree cut at Braybrook St: Stef offered apologies from Tom Bach who was not able to forewarn the the friends but will do so in future. Emma suggested sculpting the log to make a bench – will be put forward. More seating generally will be made available.
-Around the Old Oak community centre, there will be some clearing of undergrowth around removal of the tarmac to open up the area and create sightlines for security as well as re-establishing this area as part of the Scrubs.
The walk ended with a sudden and short lived hailstorm. Thanks to all who attended.