Castle Point Wildlife Group |
Pictures of West Wood and activities within Westwood
We are very pleased to have received some grantfunding from Veolia Pitsea Marshes Trust to restore the old pond at the Hedge Lane entrance and develop it as a wildlife habitat and also as an area for use by local schools for nature classes. The pictures below show the area before the work and then during the excavation work:
As part of the work to develop the area just North of Prittle Brook ready for the hopeful reintroduction of the Heath Fritillary butterfly we have been using the brush from the coppice works to build a natural fence that will enhance the area for bird life. This is a traditional method of fencing and one that has died out of use. Hopefully our efforts will increase its use and shows how natural materials can be used to good effect.
On Sunday 2nd October 2011 we had to regrettably fell a large tree at the entrance to the wood (Rayleigh Road) which had become unstable and was leaning across the road. In addition we took the opportunity to prune back some other overhanging branches. The work entailed closing one lane of Rayleigh Road and was undertaken early in the morning to reduce inconvemience to traffic. We apologise to anyone who was delayed on their journey, but the picture below shows one of the tree gang up in the tree removing some of the branches across the road and demonstrates why the lane was closed.
Coppicing is an important part of Woodland Management, here are some pictures of some coppicing being undertaking by some trainees in chainsaw use in September 2011. Normally coppicing is done by group members only, but on occasions we hold training courses where trainees assist us in the work before they gain full certification in chainsaw use.
As on our events page some shots of Westwood from above!
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Woodland Sunburst taken by Ginette Braithwaite
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Bluebells in West Wood - May 2011 Pictures Courtesy of Anna one of our members
Our December 2010 work party:
West Wood in the snow Dec 2010:
A selection of views of West Wood.
