Week 7 - Large Tree Felling

Location: Auchincruive Estate
Activity: Large Tree Felling
Weather: Overcast,cool, light rain

The project this week was to fell some larger trees in the oak woodland on the Auchincruive Estate. The oak woodland has many birch trees growing in it and these block out the light, preventing it from reaching the forest floor. As a result there is little plant growth on the forest floor, and the oak trees have few lower limbs. This week we were felling some of these birch trees in order to allow more light into the lower levels of the forest and also to allow a greater verity of vegitation to grow, therefore increase biodiversity.
The group used a couple of different felling techniques using axes and saws. The wood that was cut down will be used as firewood, although some of the upper canopy was left in place to provide habitat for insects and small mamals.

Dam Building - Week 6

Location: Langlands Moss
Activity: Dam Building
Weather: Overcast,sunny spells, cool

Well everyone has heard of the 'Dam Busters!' - Well this week the Conservation Society were the Dam Builders.

Langlands Moss near East Kilbride ia an area of raise peatbog. In the past it has had conifers planted on it and drainage ditches cut through the moss to allow these trees to grow.

Now clear of conifers, the local ranger service and volunteers are trying to build dams in the drainage channels to preserve the peatbog as a wetland habitat.

Today we helped by moving plastic sheeting into position and by driving in two new dams. This will help keep the water on Langlands Moss and will allow a very unique habitat full of interesting plants, animals and insects to survive on the outskirts of East Kilbride.

Week 5 - Wild Flower Meadow

Location: Auchincruive Estate
Activity: Management of Wild Flower Meadow
Weather: Overcast, warm (well it was after 2 hours of working!)
This week’s project was the management of an area of wildflower meadow on the Auchincruive Estate.

The conservation society was tasked with clearing grass and dead flowers from half of the meadow. (The other half was left to provide habitat for the meadow's field vole population)

Clearing the grass allows the wild flowers a better chance to grow next spring and the grasses also return at the same time. The cut grass was removed to prevent additional nutrients from getting into the soil on the meadow. (Wild flowers tend to grow in soil that has lower nutrient levels) It was placed in a wooded area next to the meadow and will be allowed to rot and provide nutrients for the trees.

During the project, and thanks to Tom's excellent hearing, a vole nest (complete with baby voles) was discovered and the grass around it left intact to provide them with some cover)

Hopefully next spring we will be able to enjoy the flowers that will grow on the meadow.