CROW (Conserve Reading on Wednesdays)
Wednesday, 26th November 2014
Mumbery Nature Reserve, Wargrave ~ Laying wildlife hedge

This was CROW's second visit to this site to continue laying the hedge.

The hedge was predominately field maple but include hazel, ash, beech, holly, hawthorn and sycamore. It was to be laid with minimal staking and no binding.

The first task was to determine what was to be laid and what retained as hedgerow trees.

The site had come into the ownership of the local council as part of an agreement allowing development of the adjacent land for housing.

The site is now being transformed in a nature reserved by local volunteers. Much remains as grassland with hawthorn .....

..... and a scattering of other trees including fruit trees and some ornamentals.

A wildlife pond has been created together with an .....

..... outdoor classroom. The involvement of children from local schools in the site's development played a significant part in the reserve's volunteers being presented with the 2014 Dorothy Morley Conservation Award by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

Coffee break, time for a few moments relaxation and a chat.

The smaller stems could be laid relatively easily, .....

..... while the larger trees, mainly the field maple, took considerably more effort.

Steady as she goes.

Lunchtime and good progress had been made.

John and Steve decided to remove a small clump of sycamore growing close to the hedge.

While nearby one of the ornamental had already been removed.

The final piece of hedge being laid for the day. While in some ways it would have been satisfying to have completed the hedge this winter other commitments mean we're unlikely to return until next autumn but at least we will then be able to see how well what has been laid this year has progressed.

About 24 metres of hedge had been laid during the day and we were beyond half way - not bad going.

Thanks to all our volunteers who came along for the day and to the site's own volunteers for inviting us. We wish them well with the project and look forward to returning to complete the task.

Created: Saturday, 29th November 2014
Photographs: Alan Stevens