HARTSHOLME COUNTRY PARK – SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2009
We had a lovely sunny day for our task of clearing ragwort and Rosebay
willowherb from the meadow at Hartsholme Country Park. We also had to cut
back any scrub growth of oak and willow so there was plenty to keep the six
of us – seven later in the day – occupied till mid afternoon.
The meadow at Hartsholme forms the largest single area of acid grassland in
Lincoln and it supports many invertebrates as well as common lizards and
grass snakes. A little girl, visiting with her dad, excitedly told us of the
lizards and large grass snake that they had already seen that morning.
The plants found within the grassland flourish in poor nutrient and maximum
light conditions, and they get crowded out by more competitive species such
as Rosebay willowherb, which is invasive; its roots spread horizontally
underground so the plant sprouts up when available space and light permits
and each plant can produce up to 80,000 seeds! It is therefore really
important to keep it under control.
We
battled the clumps of the willowherb, which were already starting to seed so
we had to be careful not to spread the seeds as we pulled up the plants.
Jeff found that it wasn’t a good idea to use sun tan lotion as he ended up
covered in fluffy seedheads, which stuck to the lotion! Pity we don’t have a
photo.
Hartsholme was holding its Family Fun Day so we also took time to visit the
stalls and, having heard the sound of the chainsaw during the day, to look
at the sculpture which was being created.
So another enjoyable day for us at Hartsholme, our local green space.
Jude
