Balsam bashed some more

 

The well of tissue-paper thin excuses not having quite run dry yet, your usual correspondent was once again fortuitously absent from the delight torture that is known as ‘The Bashing of the Balsam’. As previously explained, this involves the removal by hand of countless emerging Himalayan Balsam plants before they get the chance to catapult their seeds into the surrounding area and watercourses, facilitating their relentless spread. Quite frankly, it’s best left to those who derive the most pleasure from it, and so today’s report comes courtesy of Team Leader Julie, who we can be sure had a thoroughly enjoyable time…

Ten volunteers arrived for today’s extreme weeding session. We started back where the team worked two weeks ago as more Himalayan Balsam had shown itself:

We then moved over towards the site boundary - lots of nettles (I can vouch for that - ouch!).

Some of the plants are definitely hunting in packs in this area: 

….and getting bigger.. 

A bit of father-son competition emerged -“mine’s bigger than yours” -  not judging from that one! 

After an hour of being bent double we called it a day with the agreement being that there is another work party required in two weeks - there is plenty left to be pulled! The bigger ones will probably be around 3-4 foot by then! So, looking like Snow White’s dwarves singing “Hi-Ho” we headed off to empty our bags at the carefully controlled dump site. 

What a haul again!! Literally thousands of HB plants pulled. 

The central area of the SSSI is looking beautiful with an array of plant life. 

Unfortunately, where there were a lot of marsh orchids appearing a few weeks ago - very few have made it to flowering - deers nibbling the heads off is suspected. But I did manage to spot one peeking through. Though it’s the Ragged Robin starring at present I think. 

Here is Team Leader Margaret’s message of thanks:

Thank you to the ten volunteers who came this morning to continue the great balsam fight. As predicted the plants had more than doubled in size but despite this many thousands were pulled and shoved into the waiting bags. We really do appreciate the help you give. I hope all spines have uncurled and you are all having a well-earned rest.

We return to the fray in two weeks’ time, when they will have doubled in size again.

Thank you

Margaret  (for the team leaders)