So let’s get the subject of the weather out of the way before anything else! Actually, the Common has stood up quite well to the deluge of the lasts weeks. And it has highlighted a number of areas where we need to do more work in the autumn to improve surface and drainage conditions. It was a good job that we bolted the new bridge at the bottom of the lane down the night before the heavy downpour last week – it could easily have ended up down at Duckpool otherwise!
The other outcome of the unseasonable weather is the postponement of the planned first working party to begin rebuilding the stone wall alongside the stream at the bottom of the lane. This task requires us to collect a large amount of suitable stone that is present at various locations around the Common and transport it to the working location. Doing this in current conditions will cause an unacceptable amount of damage to the newly-created access tracts, so we will have to delay this work until the end of the summer, when hopefully things will have had a chance to dry out.
We are trying our hardest to respond to ideas that we hear from you. There is a temporary map now on the gate leading to the access lane – I am promised that this will be replaced by a suitable decorated version in the near future and then we will find a more permanent point where it can be displayed without the reader having to kneel down in the mud. We are planning to improve the parking area by adding some more hard core and we may also fill in some of the holes in the lay-by that could provide additional parking further back up the hill. The problem is we do not know who owns the land there and we don’t want to upset anyone by doing something for which we do not have permission.
We have just received the report that we commissioned from Cornwall Environmental Consultants (the commercial arm of Cornwall Wildlife Trust) and it makes interesting reading. A copy of this report will be available on our website. It is worth taking the time to read it if you have Internet access. A few highlights:
- Our “wet woodland” is a valuable habitat – common in Cornwall but very scarce on a national scale.
- All of our land has exciting potential for environmental improvement.
- We have a number of notable plant species – including one of national importance – the Wavy St John’s Wort.
- There is urgent need of a bat survey to identify the bats that use the Common as a hunting area.
There are a few negative points:
- Himalayan Balsam beginning to intrude – many thanks to the mystery visitor who is pulling this plant up as they walk by – keep up the good work!
- Canadian pondweed in one of the ponds – this will have to go at the end of the summer.
- Bracken needs to be managed before it becomes too intrusive.
The good thing about the CEC report is that we get useful advice on how to do things, so plenty of food for thought in the coming months.
In closing, we have received a donation of two oak trees from a Kilkhampton couple who wish to remain anonymous – so thanks Helen and Dave!
More news about donations and generous gifts next month.