The last volunteer Sunday of 2011 was held last weekend on a cold, but lovely sunny winter’s day. This month’s activity was willow planting – yes, you read that correctly, willow planting! We are usually controlling this tree as it invades the reedbed, an important part of our work to maintain the wetland habitats on site. However, just for a change we have planted approximately 500 willow whips around our new work area, containers and polytunnel.
When grown up, this willow will provide an excellent natural screen, hiding our work area from visitors and walkers along the public footpath. Willow makes an ideal choice for this as it is fast growing, giving us the cover we need quickly, it is in ample supply here at Langford with all plants taken as cuttings from willow trees on site (with the added bonus of no cost!) and provides a little extra bit of habitat for wildlife, including those all important wetland invertebrates, such as the lunar hornet moth, whose larvae feed within the bases of willow trunks and perhaps an extra singing cetti’s warbler. Look out for some photos from the day on the gallery, taken by volunteer Barrington Randle.
After a good morning’s work planting the group took a well earned walk around the new landscaping, learning about reedbed design and creation techniques and of course looking out for birds and other wildlife on site. Highlights of the afternoon include a green sandpiper on Phase 1, singing cetti’s warbler on silt lagoon 4, roe deer on Phase 3 and a distant, but nevertheless spectacular group of 500 starlings swirling over Phases 1 and 2, heading towards the Trent.
Also on site this week are the regular 3 whooper swans, short-eared owl, plentiful fieldfares and redwings, mixed finch/bunting/sparrow flocks including tree sparrows and bullfinches and stonechat.