Friends of Rawcliffe Meadows Work Party Sunday 28th February from 10:30 in Reservoir Basin at northern end (see A board by Barrier Bank by pumping station).
Subject to flooding the plan is to use hand tools to cut back 50% of the Phragmites (Common Reed) off the western end of the Water Vole scrape – the cuttings can then be tied up in bundles and stowed above the flood line for invertebrates. If we have sufficient help we’ll also dig up a few rhizomes and plant and in the newly extended adjacent scrape. The fencing is due to be extended to include old plus new ponds.
It was only confirmed last year that Water Voles had returned to Rawcliffe Meadows after a decade’s absence. It is hoped that they will be returning again following the recent lengthy inundation.
Reed cutting
Wellies definitely advisory due to damp nature of Reservoir Basin, shears or machete may help with cutting back reed.
Safest access probably the ‘path’ down from where the pumps were (green box on Barrier Bank).
Current task list:
| Month | Sun | Thurs | Task |
| Feb 2016 | Feb 14th – 21st – National Nest Box Week | ||
| 28th | Water Vole scrape Phragmites cutting | ||
| Mar 2016 | 13th | Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT) Water Blitz | |
| 20th | Tansy planting | ||
| Tue 22nd March – World Water Day | |||
| April 2016 | 10th | Flood debris clearance | |
| Friday 15th Yorkshire Wildlife Trust tansy planting 10 – 3 near Pond | |||
| 17th | Wildflower planting in Cornfield | ||
| May 2016 | ? | ||
| June 2016 | 12th | FHT Invertebrate ID Course (numbers limited) | |
| 20th – 26th June National Insect Week | |||
| ? | |||
| July 2016 | Sat 2nd July – National Meadows Day | ||
| ? |
