December 2012

Every Monday morning the volunteers meet in the car park of Warley Place and each week recently we have hoped in vain for some dry weather.  Despite this we continue working where we can without causing damage to the soil.  There has been an autumn tidy up in the walled garden and more of the brambles have been cut back in the east meadow to allow the daffodils to show at their best.  It is necessary to get this done in good time before the many spring bulbs start to burst through the soil surface.

 

A major task has been started along the fence of North Meadow.  Although it was originally part of Ellen Willmott's estate this field is not part of the reserve and is usually home to some horses and ponies.  A hedge is being planted.  Said quickly this sounds simple and quick, but of course it is more complicated when you get down to it.  Volunteers are clearing undergrowth within the reserve, so that the ancient post and wire fence is visible, and so that the newly planted hedge will be able to grow without too much competition and with as much light as possible.  The hedging is mixed, largely hawthorn, interspersed with hazel, dogwood, spindle, rose and field maple all of which should provide food and nesting cover for many little birds in future years and will be so much more pleasing to look at for visitors. 

 

The autumn colours were limited this year and we looked each week at the Persian Ironwood, hoping for the dark red leaves, but it could only manage yellow.  Most of these have since been blown away by the strong winds in early November.  However, the spindle bushes were exceptional and both varieties were covered in fruits, one pink and the other red.  It was good to see that the newly planted (2011) spindles were also fruiting well. 

 

The warden and volunteers are delighted that work on the replacement of the South Hide can be started within the next few weeks.  This is possible owing to a generous donation to the reserve from the family of a local lady who loved Warley Place.  It is hoped that this will provide shelter for many bird watchers over the coming years as they look out onto the South Pond. 

 

Overlooking the pond from the other side is a new picture provided by Iris Maurer, the daughter of Jacob Maurer who Miss Willmott employed to create and maintain her alpine garden.  It reminds us that much of the tree cover which is now so good for the wildlife was not visible in the early part of the twentieth century.  This is a clear demonstration of changes of use over a hundred years.

 

John Cannell is back from a short break in France where he attended a book launch at Ellen Willmott's old chateau in Tresserve.  The book was about the history of the chateau, which is now the Mairie (town hall) and is complete with much of the wood panelling, furniture and many of the other features that Ellen Willmott had installed there.  John was well looked after by the author of the book and her friends, all of whom were very enthusiastic about Ellen Willmott and have asked to come to Warley Place next year.

 

We will be open as usual over the Christmas period and visitors will be very welcome to come for a quiet stroll away from the usual seasonal festivities.  May we wish you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

October 2012

By the time the volunteers left the reserve on Monday 1^st October we were all quite wet, and some of us managed to become covered in mud as well.  We had spent another morning managing the daffodil bank, or in other words removing seedling sycamore and invasive vegetation.  This has been a major task over the last few weeks and we hope our efforts will allow the daffodils to shine through next spring.

As mentioned previously, now is the time to see an excellent display of autumn crocus (Colchicum) close to the wall on Warley Road.   There are also a few in the walled garden if you do not wish to walk too far.  These delicate blooms do not last long, so enjoy them while they last.  If you are visiting the walled garden check the colours of the Gingko tree which should be showing its beautiful autumn tints.

A number of trees have fallen since the last notes and consequently the cattle had to leave early as the fence had been broken by one of the larger trees.   One of these boundary trees is a large Variegated Sycamore.  Another is a silver birch on the Pleasance.  In order to clear them there will be plenty of log cutting and splitting to keep the volunteers busy over the next few weeks.  Where appropriate some of the wood will be left to provide food and shelter for insects and other creatures that live in dead wood. 

This acts as a reminder that when we are visiting the reserve we should pay attention to warning signs if an area is fenced off, as sturdy trees do sometimes fall unexpectedly.

Talking of signs and information around Warley Place visitors will find some new boards have been put in.  One of Ellen Wilmott's talents was photography, a very different and more laborious process from today's 'point and shoot' with a mobile phone.  A large private collection of her pictures gives a glimpse of Victorian life and the glamour of life at Warley.  They have also helped in the detective work of trying to establish how the gardens were laid out by her.  Copies of some of these have been framed and placed where they help to give visitors images of the house as it was in her time.  These have been framed and weather proofed for display as a donation by Picturesque on Warley Hill.

 

As always the reserve is constantly changing so do come for a quiet walk to see the glories of autumn. 

 

There are some bags of leaf mould for sale by the gate as this is the time of year when many gardeners use this valuable soil conditioner.   There is always a need for extra empty bags so if you have any that you wish to return please leave them in the little shed by the gate, so they don't blow away.

September 2012

As the summer turns into autumn and schools start their new term the volunteers at Warley Place are continuing with tasks of maintenance in this lovely reserve.  The first change you may notice on arrival is that the path just inside the inner gate has been made up with ballast.  (I am told it is MOT Type 1)  The cows had made a real mess of the area by the gate in the wet weather and hopefully this will make the entrance safer.  Despite this you are still advised to wear sturdy footwear for your visit.

 

It is very hard to avoid mention of the weather.  Perhaps the kindest way of putting it is to say that the weeds have enjoyed it!  The main tasks recently have been clearing ragwort from the East Meadow, and brambles and weeds from West Meadow.  It is important to reduce these so that next spring the crocuses and daffodils can be seen in their full glory. 

 

The area alongside the wall on Warley Road has also been weeded so that the colchicums or 'naked ladies' should be seen in a few weeks.  Whilst working in this area an interesting fungus Geastrum triplex – earthstar fungus – was found on some dead wood.  This fungus emerges as a plain ball similar to a tulip bulb and then opens up splitting to form a star around the central ball.  Let us hope that this autumn will give us plenty of varieties of fungus to see at Warley.

 

Bracken and bamboo are being tackled amongst the rhododendrons.  This involves volunteers venturing into the large bushes in order to root out these very invasive plants.

 

There has been a change in the route of the path as you leave the walled garden to the north.  It used to pass over an underground boiler house but a recent survey found that this was unsafe.  It would be very expensive and dangerous to attempt to repair it so it will be filled with rubble.  The new path provides a short cul-de sac to enable you to see the reservoir.

 

The long dead tree, which was home to the greater spotted woodpeckers in the photograph on the website, fell down in the gusty winds recently and is now across the butterfly drive.  It will be moved aside soon, but it is worth stepping off the path to look more closely at the woodpecker holes.  Just approach with caution as wasps were seen around the tree when it first fell down and may be looking for a new home. 

 

Do come for a quiet walk and enjoy the reserve. Let's hope that the next few weeks will bring us some glorious autumn colours.  As usual I look to my favourite Spindle bushes (Euonymus europaeus) to give a good show alongside the path between the sweet chestnuts and the gorge bridge.  I am hoping to see clearly the difference between the two bushes this year as both plants are covered in berries.

June/July 2012

Having been an absent volunteer for some weeks, what with Bank holidays, Jubilee celebrations and various other excuses, it is noticeable how the tree leaf cover is shading the reserve.  I hope the birds are enjoying the extra cover. 

 

The most stunning flowers at present are the foxgloves.  As you walk up the drive they tower above you from the banks on either side.  Do continue to other areas where they are equally spectacular; near the rhododendrons (that have finished flowering) and all over the daffodil bank where a particular white one stands at least eight foot tall.  Surprisingly they have survived the wind and rain although some have been bent by the gales. 

 

At this time of year there are regular maintenance tasks for the volunteers.  The annual clear up of docks in the walled garden and pulling ragwort in the east meadow keeps us busy.  With the wet ground under foot the roots of these plants are easier to pull up, but it is still a back breaking task.  As a result of our labours bashing bracken on the daffodil bank it is noticeable this year that the bracken cover is reduced.  (Not gone completely, but reduced.) 

 

We welcome the little munchers (in-calf heifers) who have come for their summer break in the meadows.   However this has brought an unexpected task.  On checking the fences some posts were found to have rotted and need to be replaced.  It is believed that the change in regulations regarding wood preservative has meant that the posts do not last as long as when they were preserved in more toxic chemicals, so we can expect to have to do more maintenance on the fences in future years.

 

The newly planted silver birches are looking quite at home and are benefiting from the rain we have had this month.  I stopped to look at the south pond on leaving the reserve and was treated to a paddle past by the ducks and fluffy ducklings.  Too many to count as they quickly took cover. 

 

I will finish with my usual reminder to please be careful on the paths as they are slippery from the rain.  Sturdy footwear or boots are required. The foxglove season is quite short so come soon if you want to see them at their best. 

May 2012

Since March and April when the Open Weekends made the reserve busy with many visitors life has quietened down, but the volunteers continue their regular Monday tasks.  The rainy weather is wonderful for the plants and has produced lush growth in every direction.  It was amazing to see water in the Gorge as this is very rarely seen during the usually dry conditions.  Standing on the bridge looking towards South Pond it is possible to see the unusual Purple toothwort Lathraea clendestina down in the shady gorge.  The native toothwort Lathraea squamaria can also be found around the reserve and both of these parasitic plants live on the roots of certain trees without harming their hosts.  On the edge of the south pond the new fronds are beginning to unfurl on the Royal Fern Osmunda Regalis .  This fern is sometimes called a 'flowering fern' on account of the fertile fronds produced in summer that resemble a branching flower head up to six feet in height and towering above the leaves.

 

One of the most difficult jobs is to keep the paths in a good condition.  In wet weather we can see where the water has sometimes formed deep puddles, but no matter how often we fill it the ground always seems to sink again – to the chagrin of adults but the delight of children in wellington boots!

 

Currently the sea of Bluebells on the daffodil bank is worth a visit and in various places there are flashes of bright pink and red from the rhododendrons.  Another flower much in evidence is the periwinkle which provides ground cover under many trees.  There are some interesting recently taken photographs of Warley place on The Essex Gardens Trust blog http://gardenstrustessex.wordpress.com/ 

 

Finally there is an appeal for bags for leaf mould.  If you have any good strong spare bags from compost, sand, gravel etc we would be grateful if you would leave them by the shed in the car park or in the hut by the gate.   Please bring them with you when you next come to Warley Place and as always we hope you have an enjoyable visit.

April 2012

Over the last six weeks thousands of visitors have been to see the amazing display of daffodils around Warley Place.  Both the east and west meadow daffodil fields have been spectacular this year adding to the traditional breathtaking daffodil bank.  Volunteer guides were kept busy with some visiting groups that booked walks whilst other visitors preferred the self guided tour. 

 

Although this part of the country is officially in a drought the weather was not 'wall to wall' sunshine and the first weekend was very wet.  However it brightened up and Mothering Sunday proved to be a very popular time to visit.

 

Because of the strangeness of the weather conditions there have been some unusual flowering combinations.  At the beginning of March there were snowdrops and daffodils together and by the end of the month bluebells were pushing up between the daffodils on the drive. 

 

With the coming of April we can start to appreciate the delicate spring green on the trees starting with my favourite Swedish Birch viewed from the car park and heading off up the drive to find flowering rhododendrons, the camellia in the walled garden and flowering cherry near the road.  The volunteers have cleared some of the invasive plants from the edge of south pond.  Do lean on the new gate near the pond to admire their work and see the beautiful Kingcup or Marsh Marigold on the pond margins.  All around the reserve new flowers are coming through.  Stop on the path below the Wingnut tree and count the snakes head Fritillaries (there are some purple and some white).  It may take a minute or two to get them in view but once you have seen one I am sure you will spot more.

 

The Natural History Museum film unit visited the reserve one day to make a five minute YouTube film which you may wish to see.  Please don't follow them into the fields as the paths are there for everyone's safety.  Warning: unexploded bombs have been found in the field!  The link is shown on the last page of this website.

 

After Easter life on the reserve will be quieter for the next few months but there is still plenty to see.  Do come and visit when you can.

 

If when you get home you realise you have lost something on the reserve just ring John Cannell (01277 217236) or Fiona Agassiz (01277 230436).  A number of items have been handed in and we keep them safe for you.

March 2012

This month sees the return of 'open weekends' at the reserve.  These had a cool and rather wet start last weekend and will continue until Easter and we hope for some sunshine along the way.  Some brave visitors came out last weekend despite the poor weather and were rewarded with the best variety of flowers, as snowdrops, crocus and daffodils were all flowering. 

 

After a very wet Sunday the sun came out early for the volunteers on Monday morning making the drive glow with colour but this did not last and we left feeling chilled by the wind.   However we were pleased to have completed some tree planting and some lovely silver birches should look their best in a year or two. 

 

Footprints in the snow in February provided confirmation of the presence around the reserve of badgers (no longer resident, just visiting), foxes, rabbits and Muntjac deer.  This last is a suspect in the case of the closely cropped reeds that we have been seeing in various parts of the gardens and has been seen on a number of occasions during daylight hours.  In fact it has been photographed by our bird-watching visitors, one picture appearing in the photographs section of this website.

 

After months of collecting and splitting firewood and bagging up leaf mold these items are ready for open day visitors to buy.  The leaf mould will benefit most gardens and if you have an open fire or woodburner why not buy locally.

 

If you are unfamiliar with Warley Place then I can only urge you to dress appropriately and come along.  The daffodils are stunning and the rhododendrons are just breaking into colour so look for them too.  The volunteers on the gate will try to provide you with information if you have questions about this amazing garden and reserve.    Do please ask them.

February 2012

Well the snow has come with a vengeance!  Some brave volunteers came out to Warley Place on the Monday following the snow to continue clearing up brash but the whole reserve is now under a white blanket. 

 

As I write the plans for the Snowdrop Walk on Wednesday 15^th February are still in place.  Anyone planning to come to this may want to know that the car park is open but very slippery.  When the thaw arrives it will be muddy and great care needs to be taken especially near the main gate to the field.  This area has been churned up a little where repairs have been carried out on the water pipe.  So, please tread with care.    The weight of the snow on the trees is making some of them bend down low over the paths and it may be necessary to duck under them if this continues.

 

Once on the main drive the snowdrops are wonderful.  Before the snow came they were cheerfully growing on the banks and I hope they will soon be visible again once the thaw starts.  In various place around the reserve other flowers were coming through including scillas, tall snowflakes, crocuses and early daffodils in a sheltered area of the west meadow.

 

The Wildlife Trust tree surgeons have been back to the reserve to continue work on unsafe trees. A very large hollow tree near Dark Lane had to be taken down for safety.  Some Ash and Sycamore also had to be taken down as well.  This will allow more light to come through between the trees and we are expecting a good show of ground cover plants in the spring. 

 

So wrap up warm, wear stout boots and come to the Snowdrop walks or just come for a wonderful winter walk in the snow.

January 2012

After a break of about a month it is lovely to come back to Warley Place.  During this time the last leaves have fallen from the deciduous trees revealing the structure of some of the magnificent old specimens.  It is a good time to see how the crossing branches of the Persian Ironwood tree join together adding to the strength and rigidity of this wonderful tree.  The large number of Hollies, Yew and Ivy mean that there is still plenty of green around the reserve, providing food and shelter for the birds.   At the moment there are signs of an unusually mild winter with bulbs pushing up and it is hoped that early flowers will not be caught by a winter blast greeting the New Year.  In the week between Christmas and New Year the first crocus flower was found by the warden.   Following some high winds in December a dead sycamore fell across the path by the cold frames.  This has since been cleared away and the paths are clear again.  Decaying wood is an important habitat locally and within the reserve and some standing dead wood will be left when possible to support specialist invertebrate populations of the reserve.  The safety of visitors to the reserve is always considered and is kept in balance with the needs of the wildlife.   Volunteers have widened the path by the Terrace to enable the wider trailer to reach the daffodil bank.  As hidden bulbs have appeared along the path they have been replanted in areas where they will be able to flower safely away from boots and wheels.    In order to perpetuate the flora of Warley Place one of the specialist plant volunteers has grown two pink Spindle trees from cuttings from the original one near the west meadow.  These will be planted nearby to maintain a good show of this lovely shrub.  Also for similar reasons Box cuttings were taken 10 years ago and grown on to replace gaps in the box hedge in the walled garden and these have now been planted.   A Happy New Year to you all.