Second Sunday back as lockdown starts to ease was oversubscribed with volunteers. Workday leader (and it seems….botanist and lepidopterist extraordinaire…) Dave reports from what seems to have been a blazing day in the sunshine on the Edge – in all respects!
The group was tasked with helping to clear the NT boundary so a neighbouring farmer could put in his new fence. We met up at the bottom of the Edge (still with wonderful views of the Shropshire Hills). The job as always for Wenlock was cutting and burning – to make sure we had enough to burn, rangers Al and Kate were already taking down large willow and ash trees that might threaten to fall on the new fence.
Some of the wood was saved for selling on and a small amount found new homes with welcoming log stores. We finished the day with three large fires – quite a result, as it could have been more had we not spotted smoking embers in an old dead hedge.
Despite it seeming not to have rained for months, the site was quite boggy with a water-filled ditch on one side. Those with wellies found the silt in the ditch to be almost as deep as their boots! That said, it did make it good for wild flowers. I managed to spot Wild Garlic, Meadowsweet, Dog Violet, leaves of Early Purple Orchid, Bog Mint and Marsh Marigold or King Cup. Well, I did say it was boggy! Of course with the wild flowers come butterflies: Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Orange tip and a blue, possibly a Holly Blue….
A wonderful day full of sunshine, flowers, butterflies and bonfires!
Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteers 