No images? Click here Hiltingbury Lakes Newsletter - March 2020Hello and welcome to another edition of the Hiltingbury Lakes newsletter to keep you informed about the transformation work taking place in the coming months. Remember to regularly check our project website for updates in between newsletter bulletins. Phase 1 - Removal of Invasive trees and plantsAim: To restore ancient semi-natural woodland and wetland habitatsContractors using chainsaws and chippers have targeted the removal of large laurel and rhododendron bushes from within the southern pond system. This work has now paused to allow birds to nest throughout spring and summer, and the exceptionally wet ground conditions to dry up. Contractors will resume work to remove these larger invasive shrubs in September 2020. Volunteers have continued their excellent work using bow saws and loppers to cut back paths and remove small rhododendron and laurel bushes during February. Volunteers will continue to remove small stemmed plants where there is no risk of disturbing nesting birds during task days in March (see below). The Council’s Streetscene department will chip and remove brash following the task days. The work has already made an improvement on the pathways opening up the light conditions and allowing wetland plants to grow again. A habitat works map showing the exact locations where contractors will be working is available on our project website. Tree Safety WorksA survey of trees near paths has been completed. Trees marked with a pink dot on their trunk have been identified for pruning or further investigation. Trees marked with a pink X are to be reduced or removed on safety grounds. This work will be carried out in the coming months. A programme of tree planting will be implemented this autumn, and the native broadleaved woodland will be brought into a coppice rotation to help improve the site. Phase 2 - Improving the water systemAim: To ensure a functioning water system, forming part of the Monks Brook Main RiverAn urgent sheet piling repair at one of the smaller weirs near the Kingsway entrance has been completed. This has prevented the river scouring the soft mud bank which was at risk of collapse. Phase 3 - Increase wild flowers and reed bed worksTo be confirmed - following completion of all tree, path and engineering works. Phase 4 - Reinstatement of footpathsAim: to restore 1.2m width gravel paths for pedestrian use within the siteA tarmac path and a well-formed gravel path have been uncovered in the woodland at the western side of the Main Lake. The Council’s Streetscene Team used a special weed ripper machine, small sweeper vehicle and good old fashioned shovels to uncover these paths. Work has been carried out on the pathways around the lakes and these images show the difference this has made to the paths, allowing local residents and the community to move easily around the area. Volunteers cut back the large rhododendron bank on the east side of the lake along Lake Road, which allowed Streetscene to restore the tarmac path which had been completely lost underneath the rhododendron shrubbery. A condition assessment of all the paths will be undertaken and proposal of site-wide path works will be prepared. Works are due to be completed during summer 2020 when the ground conditions have dried out. Why not take a stroll along some of the opened up paths around the Main Lake and enjoy the views? Phase 5 - Interpretation boards, benches, litter bins, fencingAim: to improve facilities and infrastructure at the siteStreet scene have pressure washed the bins and benches in the area. We will update our project web page to give more details. Volunteer UpdateWe have a fantastic team of volunteers helping with the project who have achieved so much in such a short space of time. We would like to thank everyone who has helped so far!
February: A group of 12 volunteers headed to the Hiltingbury Lakes site on Thursday 6 February to continue clearing the invasive plants growing along the pathway. On this sunny Thursday the team focused on clearing holly that was overgrowing and opening up the paths to let more light in. On Thursday 20 February three intrepid volunteers joined Anna in very wet conditions to cut back overhanging trees from paths in the northern part of the site. Their dedication in such challenging conditions is very much appreciated. On 27 February eight volunteers continued cutting back laurel and rhododendron bushes in much brighter weather conditions. We were joined by Joe and Doug from the Countryside Team who helped with cutting back overhanging branches from the paths. Future Volunteer TasksThe volunteers meet every* Thursday from 10am - 3pm with breaks for tea and lunch (please bring a packed lunch with you.) All tools, gloves and protective equipment are provided. Please wear outdoor shoes - trainers are fine.(* On the second Thursday of the month volunteer days will move to our nearby Hocombe Mead Local Nature Reserve to work alongside the Friends of Hocombe Mead). We are always keen to welcome new people to join us on our tasks. You don’t have to come along to every session or stay for the whole task - we’ll be pleased to see you even if it’s just for a few hours. And, of course, if you happen to walk past us on a Thursday we’re always pleased to stop for a chat about what we’re working on. To find out how you can become an Eastleigh Countryside Volunteer, please go to our project website: www.eastleigh.gov.uk/hiltingburylakes or email hiltingburylakes@eastleigh.gov.uk Volunteer Tasks are run by Eastleigh Borough Council in partnership with our partner charity The Conservation Volunteers. Thursday 5 March 2020 – Hiltingbury Lakes Note on Future task days: April and May tasks will be announced on the project website and via the newsletter. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updatesSign up to our regular newsletter to receive up to date information about the project. We’ll always treat your personal details with the utmost care and only send you what you’ve asked to receive. Here’s how we will store and use your data Contact Details Hiltingbury Lakes Project Team email: hiltingburylakes@eastleigh.gov.uk |