How to create a Pitch and Putt on steroids

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the title refers to the fact that after the attentions of 13 doughty volunteers turning out yet again in the searing July heat, part of Pit Common temporarily has the appearance of a Pitch and Putt course as it might be if it were possible for it to ingest too many (or any, really) steroids. It does not refer to the proclivities of any of the volunteers, which must forever remain mysterious.

Turn out they did, on a hot morning following the previous very hot day – in some places the hottest of the year so far, and one of those places could well have been Southrepps. Your correspondent once again presented a note absenting himself on the thin excuse that visitors from less lovely parts needed entertaining. If only he could show such devotion to the cause as does Team Leader Julie, who on the aforesaid scorching previous day had endured a seven-hour car journey, thanks to the closure of the M11; and yet still she turned up to dig and rake and do all manner of exhausting, but no doubt exceptionally rewarding work.

The task was to continue from where the previous working party had left off, to prepare a part of Pit Common for its conversion into a wildflower-rich meadow. This involved mowing the long grass, raking off the result, and digging out the many pernicious weeds in order to give the soon to be scattered wildflower seeds the best chance of germinating and thriving. They were unsure whether they had created a crazy golf course or whether a rampant were-rabbit or were-mole had been let loose:

While some were digging up those pernicious weeds, others were being equally active in raking the cut grass into long windrows, before dumping them at the edge of the site.

Once the main bit of mowing was done, the chance was also taken to do some of the path leading uphill from The Pit.

Despite the heat, it was good to see so many willing helpers, including new recruit Nina. At refreshment time they did a quick show of hands of those happy for Margaret to supply tea and coffee again next time, and it was carried unanimously. So to celebrate they cracked open a pack of ginger nuts - like the good old days!

Team Leader Margaret led by example in terms of enthusiasm, if not equipment care - she was the superwoman who broke a spade: she doesn’t know her own strength!

Here is her message of thanks:

I can't thank you enough for turning out on what must be the hottest day of the year. I don't know about you but I have only just cooled down. An amazing job was done by you all, not wanting to steal Duncan’s thunder but it rather reminds me of the film The Curse of The Were-Rabbit.  We have now fenced off the area to prevent broken ankles.

The rest of the pit grass looks amazing and perhaps Aaron will let us spread green hay without having to remove any grass in the hope that some of the seeds will take.

I am hopeful that by this time next year we will begin to see the fruits of our labours with more wildflowers and many more butterflies, moths and insects.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on the 1st of August back on the SSSI. It will be our pleasure to offer you refreshments as a small token of our appreciation.

Margaret and the team leaders.

 

As is usual at this time of year the vegetation on the five Commons is also putting in some serious effort, and growing apace: they’re all well worth a visit if you haven’t been recently.  Already a couple of un-scheduled work sessions have been needed to make sure the boardwalk is clear, but everything else is of course left to its own devices at this stage. If you need some tranquillity to take you away, if only briefly, from the mad time in which we find ourselves, I find pausing in the shade on the bridge over the Beck, half-way along the boardwalk, does wonders for me, and it just might for you too.

Two plants have been spotted that are not regularly recorded here. The Bee Orchid is a first record for the Common itself, although a neighbour has had them grace his garden for several years…

… and the Twayblade.

Birds continue to predominate on the sightings board, and it has been good to hear two reed warblers singing. Sadly, it is now several years since we have recorded a sedge warbler doing the same, and I am sad that I have not heard my favourite willow warbler, which typifies the sound of summer for me. Butterflies seem to be doing quite well: Red Admirals were unusually numerous a few weeks ago, and now we’re getting plenty of Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Ringlets. Today I saw my first Gatekeeper of the year, at the Warren Road end of the boardwalk. The sightings board has already clocked up almost 250 records this year, and that excludes the alpacas, dogs and rather dubious dinosaur ones!

 

13 volunteers (with no dog) went to mow a meadow

 Your usual correspondent having a good excuse to avoid the rain on 1st July, this posting is necessarily brief. Having less watertight excuses, 13 people, including two first-timers Janet and Bob, did brave the less-than-summery downpour to work at Pit Common. As Team Leader Margaret explains below in her message of thanks, the task was to prepare the overgrwon grass for its new role as a wildlflower meadow. Handling long soaking wet grass can't have been much fun, so I can't say I was too sad to miss it. 

Here's Margaret's message:

Thank you to the 13 people who braved the drizzle to work at the pit.

This is a new project for us. Since NWT took over we have left the pit uncut apart from paths to the sign and benches. We would like to develop the grass area into a more diverse area by introducing wildflowers.This will attract more insects and birds and hopefully humans. Unfortunately to produce a meadow is at first quite hard work, but they are relatively easy to maintain.

Today we did the first stage by doing what is called a conservation cut. This is to cut the long grass and remove it. Something we are very good at on the SSSI!  We had grizzly back for the first time and it cut some of it well but due to the damp grass and the thickness some of it remained uncut making it very difficult to rake up. So I am particularly grateful to you all for persisting.

The next stage is to cut it all again in about two weeks and again remove the cut grass. Grizzly should cope better. We are then asked to remove the persistent weeds and 30-50% of the grass and topsoil. Kevin is going to ask George if they have a turf cutter. I do not intend to do the whole area in one season, just the triangle as you enter.

If you would like to help again I am going to run another working party on Sunday 18th July. I fully understand that this task is not everyones cup of tea. 9.00 start.

The first working party on the SSSI starts on Sunday 1st August at 9.00.

Thank you again for your help and hopefully we will have the beginnings of a colourful grass meadow  next year for us all to enjoy.

Margaret

And here are a few photos to illustrate the job. Looking forward to the next stage!