Calcareous grassland restoration

[Matthew Arnold]

We did some chalk grassland restoration today. I had an idea in my head on what we needed to do and got it done. Had a good bonfire and a good laugh as one of my colleagues attempted to do a lunge and ended up on his backside doing it. Still its one hell of a transformation from what it was. Now got to wait until april to see what comes up.

[odd_bird]

that bonfire is pretty mad!

What did you use for cutting the stuff?

I bet your arms didn't look any better than this....

[Matthew Arnold]

Stihl FS 550 brushcutter, bowsaw and loppers. My arms were ok as i was on the brushcutter all day. It was my legs after walking through the brambles that i had cut down. We used the clearing saw head at the end of the day to knock down the stumps after the guys had felled 3 inch blackthorn with bowsaws and new loppers. We werent expecting to be working in T-shirts at lunch.

[odd_bird]

looks like the area has been neglected for a while...Quite a battle eh? The result looks good though

[Matthew Arnold]

looks like the area has been neglected for a while...Quite a battle eh? The result looks good though

 

It has been neglected a bit. We partially cleared it just to open up sight lines and the little muddy path went in between two big bramble patches. We removed them both and hope that we get more grass and wildflowers coming up. Will get some pics of it during the summer. I shall also get some pics of the site we are working on tomorrow. Its got one of the best views in the county and its more of the same (Bramble bashing with some gorse mixed in). The fire wont be quite as big.

[odd_bird]

how long are you still intending on working on the project this season? We are stopping this week!!!! :thumbup:

[butler]

good job...do you not have a ride on with a flail?

[Matthew Arnold]

how long are you still intending on working on the project this season? We are stopping this week!!!! :thumbup:

 

Same here. Cant cut any more trees down as birds are starting to nest. The next plan of action is to nibble back brambles so they will not be a pain during the summer during our mowing regime. Then into the joys of ivy banding.

 

Edit: Might just nibble back the exisiting bramble patches with our 13 hp rotary mower. As our normal contractor has removed his flail arm for the winter.

[Matthew Arnold]

Here are the pics of Okeford Hill 2. No public access at all. Gorse, Bramble and small patches of Ash copse with a few pockets of good quality chalk grassland. Lots of flint and very much on the wazz. Current management plan involves removing Gorse and Brambles to encourage further grass to spread.

[odd_bird]

stunning views Matt! Aren't you just lucky to work there..