Despite a modest turnout of only seven (Andrew, Edward, Francis, Jude,
Sally, Sara and Richard) we did a worthy job on the day at a modest nature
reserve. If Newt Hollow were a football team it would be in the old division
four. Perhaps even non league. But despite lacking glamour it still does
have a value for wildlife. The best thing about it is the pond. It supports
a healthy population of Tadpoles and possibly Newts plus a fine selection of
pond plants. So we fished out all the bits of wood from the old pond dipping
platform, corrugated iron and bottles and it looked all the better for it.
A good proportion of the site is covered in what can best be described as
mature scrub. The many mature Hawthorn and Elder bushes on the site must
provide shelter, nesting sites and sustenance to a lot of insects and birds.
Particularly in the Autumn and Winter passing Thrushes, Redwings and
Fieldfares will enjoy their fruit. Even the Nettles, Brambles and Thistles
on the site are 'good' for wildlife. However underneath all the bushes were
the usual jetsam of passing children and teenagers - bottles, cans, sweet
wrappers and crisp packets. All quickly and efficiently transferred into
black bin bags using our borrowed litter pickers. Passers by complimented us
on our work. We then also gave attention to the public footpath running
alongside the site from Albion Crescent up to Yarborough Road and the
adjacent pond on Hobblers Hole field.
Green woodpeckers called in the distance, a Kestrel flew over, butterflies
flitted about, tadpoles swarmed in the pond, bees buzzed and rabbits
scampered away. It started a bit cold and grey, contrary to the weather
forecast, but got warmer and sunnier as the day went on. We mused at
lunchtime about the herbal properties of various plants.
Some rubbish highlights of the day included several tyres, a number of
badminton items, a pair of ladies black high heel boots, a Flymo lawnmower
(from out of the pond), various bits of scrap metal, part of a scooter and a
plastic sledge. Some local people thought we might be flytippers and asked
what we were doing but we managed to convince them (I think) that we were
the good guys. We kept aluminium cans seperate and may get some money for
them from a local scrap metal merchant for group funds.
We finished at 3:30pm after collecting 25 bags of rubbish plus a pile of
bulkier items, which we left in a prearranged place to be collected by the
City Council on Monday morning. Although wildlife doesn't really care about
our human detritus the place definitely looked much better for our attention
and more cared for. What you might call a proper spring clean.
Richard