After the rain cancellations a week earlier, and we pass the Autumn Equinox, our intrepid S.W.A.M.P. volunteer team made up for lost time by returning to Morston Pond a week later to continue the hard work on clearing the invasive Crassula and Parrot's Feather plant species.
Since the dry summer months, the ease of getting to the plants has become trickier, and the work removing them harder as they become soaked in pond water. Using forks, we were able to dig up large clumps of (admittedly wet) Crassula, which was piled up into wheelbarrows. Hand digging clusters could also be heaped onto old baker's crates, where the water could drain making it lighter when transported.
It's also problematic when the pond has more water to locate the Crassula below the surface as well the awkwardness in trying to navigate a wheelbarrow, laden with hefty plant-life, through stony, waterlogged ground and onto the bank, where waiting builder's bags are positioned.
Waders, life jackets, long gloves were very much the order of the day in the deeper parts of the pond.
In shallower parts, it was very much getting your hands dirty (and wet) and pulling the plants out was easier at times than digging with forks.
Piles of drying Crassula and Parrot's Feather from previous weeks' work (along with the freshly harvested yield) was transferred to large black bags and wheelbarrowed to waiting builder's sacks. These will then be transported to our nearby 'pit' for burial at an opportune moment.
Nearly a year into our 5-year plan we are beginning to see the improvement a bit of hard work, a lot of dedication and a huge heap of community spirit is bringing to the life of Morston Pond. Join us (if you can) next week for another session of clearing - a good excuse to don your wellies and splash about in mud and water!!! (Oh, and there may be cakes!!)
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