Our day began with an anticyclonic gloom. However, our gloom
soon lifted when we found that 17 postgraduate students and their tutor from
Newcastle University were to join us for the day. We headed off en masse
to Snipes Dene where our task was to cut back and burn rhododendron bushes (“rhodie
bashing”). Pretty though it might be, rhododendron is aggressively
invasive and has to be kept under control to give native plants a chance.
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| Students pruning the rhododendrons. |
Three
small bonfires were lit and having such a large group of willing and efficient
workers our task was completed by early afternoon.
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| One of the bonfires. |
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| Lunchtime. |
Several
conservation volunteers remained behind to ensure the fires burnt out safely.
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| Steve tending one of the fires. |
Our patience was rewarded by some clearing of the sky (well
it was a Wednesday) and the sight of a red kite gliding over Snipes Dene.
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| Late afternoon sunlight over Snipes Dene. |
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