Hello everyone,
Here are our upcoming volunteer workdays for the month of July 2015.
4/7, 15/7, 23/7, 29/7: Balsam Bashing – Bala: The Balsam pulling season has begun! Himalayan balsam is an aggressive, non-native plant. Dense stands suffocate other plants, pushing out native plant communities, and when it dies back in winter it leaves bare river banks which are more vulnerable to erosion. Himalayan balsam also produces copious amounts of nectar which attracts pollinators away from native plants. We have been working with the SNPA over recent years on a very successful program of control for this plant, which has resulted in previously infested sites now clear of balsam. We will be hand pulling this easily dislodged plant and targeting tributaries that feed into Bala Lake.
7/7, Japanese Knotweed Survey – Betws y Coed: The Snowdonia National Park Authority has been successful in a bid to trial and develop a new mobile surveying app as part of a European wide project called Cobweb to help survey Japanese Knotweed. The area that they are covering for the survey is code named the Dyfi Biosphere. One of the areas that’s being surveyed is the Conwy River. The Snowdonia Society have been asked to trial the mobile app by mapping the Japanese Knotweed along the banks of the Conwy. Come and lend us a pair of keen eyes and learn about why Japanese Knotweed is classified as an invasive species.
10/7, The Big Dee Day, Balsam Bashing – Bala:
Following the success of the annual Big Dee Day river clean-up, organised by partners working on the River Dee, the event will be held this year to tackle invasive non-native plants and animals, such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and Chinese mitten crab. This event will be a coordinated event to control these alien invaders across the Dee catchment, from the river’s source in Snowdonia National Park right through to its estuary. This event involves partnerships between organisations both in Wales and England, to cover all the River Dee catchment and we will be focusing on the area around Bala lake, complimenting the work program already started here. The event will be followed by a BBQ in the afternoon, organised by the SNPA.
10/07 Free transport available. Llandudno Junction, Bangor and Caernarfon
18/7, Balsam Bash – Antur Waunfawr:
Through the summer months we will be tackling sites on the Afon Gwirfai to control Himalayan balsam. This is a site of special scientific interest which has been highlighted by Natural Resources Wales as a priority spot! Dense stands of Himalayan Balsam suffocate other plants, pushing out native plant communities, and when it dies back in winter it leaves bare river banks which are more vulnerable to erosion. Himalayan balsam also produces copious amounts of nectar which attracts pollinators away from native plants.
In order to continue the work we began in 2014, this workday will be held at Antur Waunfawr.
21/7, Water Vole Survey – Bala: We’re joining forces with the Snowdonia National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales to learn how to survey for water voles. Water voles are under recorded and we’re keen for as many people as possible to know what signs to look out for. We’ll be visiting a spot on a tributary of the Afon Tryweryn, where Bill Taylor (SNPA) has found plenty of signs of water voles – so it’s an ideal site to learn what to look for. If we’re lucky we may also find and record evidence of otters too. This is an ideal day for volunteers who have little or no experience of water vole surveying – although any old hands are very welcome to explore this interesting site too!
Free transport available. Llandudno Junction, Bangor and Caernarfon
The Tundra in Wales – the Remarkable World of Snowdonia’s Upland and Montane Heaths
23rd July, evening talk by John Harold
Pensychnant Conservation Centre – with Julian’s famous tea/coffee and delicious Bara Brith!
Free transport available from Bangor and Caernarfon
You have probably walked through them or trampled on them. But there is more to these habitats than meets the eye. Come and learn more about survival on the summits.
This illustrated talk will look at the ecology of heathlands high up in our mountains, the special plants and animals, natural processes, and human influences which shape them. An inspiring introduction to important habitats in Snowdonia.
Tŷ Hyll: Wildlife Garden, every Monday: An opportunity to help maintain the beautiful garden and woodland at Tŷ Hyll.
Please contact owain@snowdonia-society.org.uk or ring 01286 685498 for further information and to confirm your intention to attend. Thank you very much, Owain
