Wed 27th June 2018 - Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Wroxall. GG # 741.

Tony's Photographs.

Mark's Photographs.

 Mint Leaf Beetles

This week Team GG were back to the Pesky Plant Pulling - out at the stream running adjacent to the Donkey Sanctuary at Wroxall. With a clear blue sky and temperatures in the high 20's it was perfect weather for continuing the ongoing battle with Himalayan Balsam. Definitely a day for sun hats, sun screen and plenty of water to drink!

A note from Mark.

We set about pulling the pesky Himalayan Balsam down-stream from The Donkey Sanctuary today, heading towards Sandford. We pulled hundreds of plants but were very pleased that in many previously dominated areas the plant was found to be absent. This is really good news and drives us on to the goal of eradicating the plant from this beautiful river valley.

Many thanks to Tony and Mark for taking the photographs this week.

Wed 20th June 2018 - Arreton Down, Down End, Newport. GG # 740.

Alison's Photographs.

Green Cricket.

5 Spot Burnet Moth.

Bob's Photograph.

Mark addresses the intrepid Team GG during the tea break.

This week we were continuing with the Pesky Plant Pulling - but this time it was up on the downs and the PPP was focused on the dreaded Ragwort...! If there is anyone reading this who isn't familiar with this weed then please use the following link Ragwort Link. Having all met up in the car park it was off to scour the down in our attempt to eradicate it...armed with forks to lift it and bags to transport it to the dump site. Everyone was in agreement that there appears to be less and less each year that we tackle this job but it is still early in the season so we had better not start counting our chickens before they hatch..! As can be seen from the photograph, it was a rather overcast day with the occasional light drizzle but that didn't spoil the beautiful views from this high point. A well attended session where everyone got a great deal of exercise walking around while playing the "spot the ragwort" game :-) 

Many thanks to Alison for her photographic contribution. More photographs will be added as they arrive.

Wed 13th June 2018 - Yar Valley from Alverstone to Adgestone. GG # 739.

Mark's Photographs.

 Azure Damselfly.

Tony's Photographs.

There were 23 of us game balsam pullers out to start the season!  The East Yar valley in Adgestone looks beautiful and plenty of cyclists were out enjoying the cycle path and enquiring as to what we were doing. We were removing the non native Himalayan Balsam plant we'd say, and then engage in a bit more detail. These plants dominate the habitat to the very great detriment of our native flora, and indeed it is thought affect the Water Voles too as they enhance the rate of erosion along the river when the bare banks are exposed during the winter months.

Many thanks to Tony and Mark for taking the photographs ant to Mark for the editorial.

Wed 6th June 2018 - The Duver & Priory Bay, St Helens. GG # 738.

Bob's Photograph.

Tea break in the car park.

Mark's Photographs.

This week was one of those GG sessions where Mark takes us all to the seaside..! No sand castles and  ice cream for us though, it was hard work from start to finish.  Having met all met up in the National Trust car park everyone equipped themselves with litter grabs and black plastic bags. The pre-tea break task concentrated on the area around the mill pond, the woods adjacent to the access road and what used to be the golf links. Surprisingly, for such a large area, there really wasn't a lot of litter to collect and by the time we all assembled for a cuppa, most people had bags that were half full or even less..! After tea break our attention turned to the shoreline, including the surrounding sand dunes, then along the beach towards Priory Bay. Some brave souls elected to take dog poo bags with them to pick up behind those dog owners who thought that it was the job of "the dog poo fairy" rather than picking it up themselves..!
The weather was a glorious sunny day which ensured an excellent turn out of GGmers.

Many thanks to Mark for taking the photographs this week.

The following historical photographs of the old golf course turned up.... Thanks Alex..!