Sunday 4th August
Walthamstow Marshes Reedmace removal in ditches
| On Sunday 4th August 2024, LBCV will be in the ditches on Walthamstow Marshes to remove reedmace to open up this waterway for dragonflies and the watervole communities in this SSSI Nature Reserve. To join us, meet at the Waterworks Centre, Lammas Road from 9:30am – 10am. Conservation Task Details The aim of the task is to remove some reedmace by either pulling the rhizomes or cutting below the water level to drown it. This will provide open water areas for dragonflies to hunt. While doing the task we need to cautious as the ditch contains the invasive azolla, mosquito fern, duckweed fern and we must take precautions to stop it spread to other parts of the ditch and nearby waterbodies. We will work around any nesting birds. The photos show a moorehen nest with 5 eggs and the moorhen sitting back on the nest as we packed away in 2021 Water Voles – Full Legal Protection In England & Wales Water voles were given full legal protection in England & Wales on the 6th April 2008 by provisions under section 9 of Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Schedule 5 of this Act makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place that a water vole uses for shelter or protection. It is also an offence to disturb, kill or injure a water vole or handle a water vole without a licence. (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). Disturbing or harming a water vole, damaging its habitat or destroying or blocking water vole burrows could lead to prosecution. Offences carry a maximum penalty of £5,000. Everybody is welcome to volunteer with LBCV. No experience is required. Please wear sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for the work and weather – please wear sunscreen some will be available in the welfare bucket. Waders will be provided for those working in the ditch, We will be working with brambles close to nettles and with sharp tools. We only do tasks on the first Sunday of every month so a little bad weather will not stop a task. We are out of lockdown but some restrictions still need to apply for LBCV to safely be able to run volunteer tasks in the Lea Valley Park, with the restrictions below. If you are ill, feel ill or have been in contact with somebody who is self-isolating please do not volunteer. Please take a test if you are not sure. Please wash your hands before the task in warm water or hand sanitiser. Use gloves when handling all tools, touching gates or other items in the park Wash your hands before eating or drinking in warm water or hand sanitiser LBCV can supply wellington boots to work in, please arrive in plenty of time at the Waterworks, to select your pair. LBCV will provide tools, training, gloves, coffee, tea and biscuits. Please bring some lunch and water. Please arrive from 9:30am onwards at the Waterworks Centre Lammas Road, off Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7QT, for a 10am departure to collect tools and gloves. The meeting place is by the bike racks in front of The Waterworks Centre. If you use what three words ///guises.manage.entry is the location. Please lock bicycles to the stands in front of the Waterworks Centre. There is ample free car parking. Dogs are not allowed in the Nature Reserve so please do not cross the bridge with dogs or ride bicycles in the nature reserve. Dogs are still welcome on some tasks, including this one, as we are in an open nature reserve. We should be finished by 4pm Volunteering and doing a conservation task with LBCV in North East London, is great way to meet new people, learn new skills, use old skills, be more active, get closer to nature, make a difference and have some fun with like-minded people in the Lea Valley Regional Park. |
