Invasive Plants 2012
Giant Hogweed,Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, & Ragwort
As of 6th November I think that's it for this year. I have been more thorough this year and expect a significant improvement, with the possibility of extending the area of Himalayan Balsam removal in 2013
Giant Hogweed 2012(North of the boat)
15th April Haven't found one in the SSSI north of the boat this year so far (16th April) but found two adjacent the SSSI in the 'eastern' flood plain. This compares favourably to 1 and 3 respectively for last year. That both were well established shows they were there last year and overlooked in their youth.
Giant Hogweed(West of the boat)
16th April Found seven plants, five of which look as though they are in their second year.
19th May Found two
21st May Searched with Gavin: Found one and one up the channel separating ELF from Okel Tor
17th July Searched with Gavin: found none. Done for the year :)
24th October Clearly not: found none.
Japanese Knotweed 15th April Modified method this time and used a fork to loosen the soil before pulling. Total count 278 and the largest plant was little more than 1 foot high; down to 1 inch. 12th May (159) 4th June (154) 19th June (86) 9th August (184) It's been 7 weeks since and it was impossible to get down the bund: I had to go across the lower fields. Although there were a few on the southern end of the patch; all the plants were quite small: what a relief. 3rd October Bit concerned about the gap of 8 weeks but all is good. Collected 129 plants, average height 6" that didn't fill one eight of a sack.
Himalayan Balsam
4th June Cleared a few from sites 3 and 6 10th August Cleared one bag full from site 3, most of which were near the ditch midway in the bottom part: the marsh proper; and two bags full from 6 again by the ditch and in the middle of the area 16th August Cleared along the north ditch of sites 4 and 5, sites 3 and 6, and 10m along the bund from site 6: eastward. 17th August Cleared sites 4 and 5. 4th September Cleared areas 3,6,4 and 5. 29th September Cleared areas 3,and 6. 4th October Cleared areas 3,and 6. 8th October Cleared areas 3,and 6. Found only 10 plants 17th October Cleared areas 3,and 6. Found 2 plants, one unreachable due to flooding. 20th October Scouted areas 3,and 6 and retrieved the one unreachable due to flooding. 24th October Scouted areas 3,and 6 and found 3. 4th November Scouted areas 3,and 6 and found none.
19th June Cleared a few from area G 17th July Cleared A and B with Gavin 25th July Cleared areas A and B 27th July Cleared areas E and F 28th July Cleared area D 28th July Cleared area C with Gavin 29th July Gavin cleared a strip on area H adjacent the ditch to stop spread from the lower field. 29th July Cleared most of area G with Gavin 6th August Cleared A part of B and most of area G 12th August Cleared B,E and F and some of D and A. Gavin slashed over the northern part of G 15th August Cleared area D 19th August Cleared areas A,C and D 31st August Cleared areas A and D 2nd September Cleared areas B,E,F and D 3rd September Cleared areas A,B and C also half of G including a few metres alongside the ditch. 9th September Cleared area 1(A,B,C,D,E,F and the north half of G, with Gavin. 13th September Cleared area 1(A,B,C,D,E and F). 19th September Cleared area 1(A,B,C,D,E and F). 26th September Checked sites 1,3 qnd 6 with Hugh Tyler. Intend to pull those noticed: this weekend. 29th September Cleared area 1(A,B,C,D,E,F and part G). Also nipped over the wall and cleared some of the adjacent Kings field. 4th October Cleared area 1(A,B,C,D,E and F). 8th October Cleared area 1(A,B,C,D,E,F and part G). Only collected a quarter of a bag. 17th October Scoured area 1(A,B,C,D,E and F). Found only 15 plants. Couldn't do part G as field under water. 24th October Found 12 plants in area 1(A,B,C,D,E and F). Cleared west half of part G. 6th November Found 1 plants in area 1(A) none in the rest (B,C,D,E,F and G)
Ragwort 26th July Cleared bottom of triangle field. Most of the field had been done a few weeks ago. Gavin cleared half the top. 8th August Clearing the bottom of the triangle field and helped Gavin do the top. Altogether I estimate some 320 plants have been pulled up to-date; more than I expected 15th August Gathered a sack of weed from the bottom of the triangle field and a couple of fairly large plants from the small triangle field. 26th August Cleared the bottom of the triangle field and helped Gavin to the top. 31st August Cleared the bottom of the triangle field. 2nd September Cleared the bottom of the triangle field; found a couple in the Small-triangle field near the far gate. 17th September Cleared all of the triangle field. 19th September Cleared bottom of triangle field. 29th September Cleared bottom of triangle field. 3rd October Cleared all of the triangle field. 8th October Cleared all of the triangle field. Collected only a dozen or so. 17th October Cleared bottom of the triangle field. 24th October Cleared all the triangle field. Some six at the bottom and four or five others 6th November Found 6 in bottom of the triangle field.