On Sunday 7^th Jan 2018 we’ve asked Don Davies to come along and help/advise us how to lay the eastern hedge alongside Blue Beck Copse at the north of the site, where the outlet pops out under that Barrier Bank from Blue Beck as it leads towards the Ings Dyke. We’ll be starting at 10:30 but due to the amount of work it may run on later than usual to 2 or 3 pm. It, as usual, will be water level dependent! It is boggy generally in that area so wellies and gloves advisable! We planted the Copse and hedge in the last Century and have done some work in managing it but it’s now ripe for laying. Don layed the adjacent New Meadow hedge a couple of years ago. A map is here https://wp.me/P1rSnY-27

The Annual Report is in preparation, along with a list of tasks for 2018 and a calendar of dates but this could be a decisive year for the site as the Environment Agency are in the design phase for the Barrier Bank through the Meadows and the pumping station at that point http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/15789966.__45m_city_flood_defence_work_to_start_in_2018/ – we hope to hear from them soon in January as to what mitigation they are planning for the damage they’ll do to the SSSI.

Any last minute records for the 2017 wildlife report will be gratefully received by Martin.