It’s that time of year again and I’ve taken the volunteers out pulling balsam. Balsam is an invasive weed that can take over large areas of British plant communities and destroy the animals that depend on them. This week we were at Deep Hays Country Park pulling it along the brook.
Been very busy lately but made a bit of time to go to Froghall, a little walk and a coffee and scone in Hetty's Cafe. Lovely heron, everywhere beautiful shades of green. Couple of hours of peace.
Irresistible wildflowers. Once I started snapping it became compulsive to capture as many different species as possible. Sadly not time to do a proper survey, but there was a lot of natural beauty on offer.
Today was the start of the joint project with CRT to repair the walls that form the boundary along the Caldon Canal between the aquaduct and Hazlehurst Bridge. We started just up from bridge 37 by the lock.
Paul, our Warden at RSPB Coombes Valley, got this fantastic photo of the rare and elusive Argent & Sable moth whilst out on the reserve this week. RSPB Coombes Valley Nature Reserve is one of only 3 places in Staffordshire where you can find this day-flying rare species.
Let me introduce myself…
My name is Ian Kynaston and I am the new practical projects officer for the CVLLP. As part of my new job I'll be taking the volunteer flying squad out and about just like Richard Whiting has been doing for the last few years.
Well me for one thing! Hello, I'm Ian Wykes and I have recently been appointed as the new Development Manager for the CVLLP .
Some people say they think I've got a bit of Staffy in my genes even though I am meant to be a Parsons Jack Russell. Anyway, I was happy to celebrate Staffordshire Day with a heritage walk round the Froghall plateways. There was a big group of humans and three other dogs.
My last project for CVLLP was a watergate for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust with the brilliant Churnet Valley volunteers. Part of a series of Natural Flood Management works.
It was a nice change to be working by the river Churnet today with the volunteer team. Engineered log jam stabilised with living willow posts and some spiralling of living willow to sure up an eroding bank. Hopefully it will survive, Last year's seems to have taken well.
