January 2014

The entrance area to Warley Place is getting to be rather dangerous.  You may remember in our last blog I noted that the old oak tree had been felled by a car?  Well later in October, during the high winds, trees and large branches were blown down all over the reserve – including one right across the drive just inside the gate. Then, would you believe it, on Christmas Eve another large branch came away from the old oak tree and again blocked the drive. Three intrepid volunteers came out and, armed with bow saws and loppers, cut it back so that cars could pass through, as it was far too big to pull to one side. The rest was all cleared away in the first week after Christmas.

 

Fortunately flooding is not one of our problems as we are on one of the highest points in Essex. It's interesting to see how high the ponds get, though.

 

Last year there were many snowdrops out by now, and a single daffodil on the daffodil bank. I haven't seen any at all so far this year. Perhaps it hasn't been cold enough yet.

 

We were a bit disappointed that, for various reasons, we were unable to complete the rabbit-proof fence round the sycamore by the inner gate. We needed to creosote the lower part of the posts, as experience had shown that they rotted in just a few years unless we did this. Richard managed to acquire some – which isn't easy – and stood some posts in a dustbin of creosote so that it would soak in. However the next load of posts were wet and the preservative would not soak in unless they were dry, so we just had to wait. Still, the job is a long way forward and will be finished, complete with chicken wire, within the next month or so – depending on the weather. It will include a large gate, donated by one of my neighbours who had no further use for it, to enable the area to be opened up to cattle so that they can cut the grass for us in the summer.

 

You may have noticed a new bird feeding station by the information room. This suggestion was made by Dave Cornwell, who volunteers elsewhere but comes to our reserve to photograph his avian friends. He and Richard erected it and it was almost immediately covered with birds of all sorts. Several of Dave's excellent pictures are on the website and more will undoubtedly follow. The light there is far better for photography than at the other hides, although they are likely to be quieter than the new one in the busy summer months.

 

We noticed the other day that bamboo is spreading in the old boating lake, so it looks as though digging that up will be one of our tasks for 2014.

 

Working in the boating lake often uncovers a smooth creamy clay, that covers our boots. Presumably this is the puddled clay that used to enable the lake to retain its water, but it was perforated by tree roots. We have no plans to cut back the trees and bushes and to re-puddle the clay bottom...... it would be interesting though, so see whether it would fill with water. We have noticed that the old bog garden, between the lake and the daffodil bank, is often filled with water even though it is about a metre higher than the boating lake.

 

Well, a happy new year to you all.

 

 

John