Wed 2nd August 2017 - Lynch Copse, Newchurch. GG # 696.

Alison's Photographs.

This week we were at a new site – Lynch Copse, Parsonage Farm in Newchurch. This was accessed via Martin’s Wood (aka the Bee Fields).  It is privately owned and we were given permission to pull Himalayan Balsam on the land to help prevent the spread of HB into Martin’s Wood.  In complete contrast to last week where the terrain was open and flat-ish, this week we were in dense cover on a steep slope.  The bracken, nettles and HB were, in places, over 6ft tall (see pic with Alex – he is 6’2”).  In some places the HB was quite a way from the river and the seeds could well have been spread via wild animals, the wind and machinery used on the land.  By the end of the session good progress had been made – however, we could also see a considerable amount of HB that hadn’t been touched at all and it is unlikely we will revisit this year - perhaps a few visits next year will be scheduled?

As last week, waterproofs were essential as the rain was relentless.  The Jet stream is responsible for the current bout of wet weather and needs a hearty shove northwards – it is summer after all!

A weather note from Bob the Blog.

This was the rain radar map taken at 10:45, during the GG session. Doesn't get much wetter than that, even allowing for the fact that it is COWES WEEK….! Roll on summer.

Many thanks to Alison for the editorial and photographs this week.