Monday 15th February 2010

Popped in to check on progress - WOW! Thinks are looking great and the sites infrastructure is coming on great. The boardwalk has its first run in place, path has sub-base and the wetlands are full of water and ready for reeds. 14 Tufted Duck, 13 Mallard, 2 Canada, Moorhen and coot all present but no mute swans. 

Took the opportunity to put 50 willow stakes into the eastern edge of the pond. Once these grow they will form a screen to hide the pipework. Bit of tidying needed here after some recent repair work. No doubt these willows will need managing in due course!! 


As  I left a large flock of goldfinch flew in (over 50). 


We are planning some hedge planting on 6th March when a blackthorn, hazel and hawthorn hedge will go in on the southern boundary. Its a big length so volunteers needed! 

Post by Steve Lowe

Photos

Here are a couple of shots of what has gone on over the last 2 weeks at the Wetlands. You will see that the pathway from the car park is starting to take shape and also Lowe Pond has a new boundary around it to help stop flooding. I have also attached a couple of shots of the wildlife seen when the work in progress photos were taken. I will keep you all updated of progress next week and hopefully I will have some photos of the boardwalk being erected on the reed bed.

Work Starts at Last!

Well it has been a busy week at SWWAN headquarters (and I haven't even been there!). Good job Helen is holding the fort. What would we do without her. I am just annoyed I am not there to "get stuck in".

On Wednesday 27th, Owen Pugh started work on the path, Jonathan and his Dad, Peter were supervising.

Thursday 28th - materials arrived for the boardwalks.

Friday 29th - Embankment completed around Lowe Marsh. We now have another discrete pond (Steve will be pleased!). Path excavation complete, edging boards installed.

Monday 1st Feb - snow everywhere but the lads battled on. Hard core delivered and path infill started. NWT delivered their container. We also need to rethink where we are going to put the hedgerow (Steve if you are reading this - ideas please).

Owen Pugh have ordered the decking and it will be treated and stained to the same colour as boardwalks to match in.

Jonathan is off to Aspen (how dare he) - ski-ing so Michael will finish off the project entance to make sure it is all tidy behind the tanker offloading plinth.

Biffa have been updated on the progress made this week.

Photos will follow once I have got them off Helen.