As you can see from the above photographs, GG have been out PPPing (Pesky Plant Pulling) yet again. This time our attention was focused on the footpath that runs to the north from Alverstone Mill Pond. For our readers who are unaware what the flowering of this plant looks like, I have included the picture with the Big Pull caption attached. The plants that we are pulling still haven't reached the flowering stage so it is safe to continue removing them. Once they do flower and subsequently seed, then it is time to stop pulling for this year. Any further removal will just cause the seed pods to "pop" spreading the seeds far and wide.
We had an excellent turnout of GGymers - no doubt encouraged by the warm weather and the chance to visit such a pretty, tranquil site. Excellent progress was made with the PPP - large piles of pulled plants were very abundant by the end of the session.
Carrie's Nature Lesson.
This week's find (by Steve) is a feather from a jay (Garrulus Glandarius). These are the most colourful members of the crow family, but are actually quite difficult to see as they are shy woodland birds and rarely move far from cover. It is usually their screaming call which lets you know when one is on the move, so watch for a bird flying between the trees with its distinctive flash of white on the rump. Jays are famous for their acorn feeding habits, and in the autumn you may see them burying acorns for retrieving later in the winter. They are found across most of the UK, except northern Scotland, and live in both deciduous and coniferous woodland, parks and mature gardens.
Many thanks to Carrie for the photographs and nature lesson.
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