A day adjusting the natural balance of native vegetation for Eastleigh Borough Council on this little nature reserve. One of the main tasks will be bracken bashing to physically reduce the reproduction of this invasive fern. Cut, remove, burn possibly.

The date will also mark the start of autumn felling for us, so all chainsaws on site please (up to 2 hours work each). All hedge trimmers and loppers required. Additionally EBC may provide brushcutters. So hard hats, eye and ear protection if you have it.

There will also a little gardening in a couple of botanically interesting locations under the guidance of John Buckley who is a long standing champion of this site. This may be our most “nature conservation” task of the year.

The site has sloping areas of boggy mire so if your work boots are not fully waterproof please wear wellies. (May be less of a risk in a hot, dry August.)

Please read the venue notes for directions.

Gathering up cut bracken during the June cut.

Panorama after bracken cutting and before felling.

Geoff roamed with a hedge trimmer through here.

Many others worked on bracken in other areas.

John and Dennis trim a felled pine tree. Number 2 for the day.

Felled material.

End of day Panorama. Some trees gone and a stack of birch brash.

Sweet chestnut trees were also felled in the distant tree line but no photographs taken.