Ynys Hir October 13th 2012

On October 13^th ACV braved the rain and wind to volunteer at Ynys Hir, an RSPB reserve relatively close to Aberystwyth. Many of you may recognise the name – this is where the last Springwatch was filmed!

13 ACV members met bright and early to get down to work. Our task this week was right infront of the visitors centre, clearing brambles and brash to create habitat piles, and hence an excellent environment for grass snakes. The setting was beautiful – a view of the lake and mountains infront, and the reserve’s ever-busy bird feeders just behind us. They were bustling with bird-life and squirrels all day!

 
ACV successfully cleared this large patch, and even though we were told it was the wrong time of year for grass snakes, we did find one – though definitely not a very live one!

  

After all the hard work, we took a well-deserved break to walk around and enjoy the reserve. We found an amazing hide half way round, which offered an incredible view of the Dyfi estuary.

Thanks to all ACV volunteers for braving the rain showers and to Ynys Hir for having us. As always, we look forward to returning to the reserve in the future!

 

By Rachel Say

For more information on Ynys Hir - http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/y/ynys-hir/

Green Phoenix 6^th October 2012

The first task of the year, woo hoo! The aims for this task were to selectively fell (coppice) an area of spruce trees in order for a pathway to be formed and a clearing made for new plant growth. The branches of felled spruce were then to be made into ‘dead hedges’, simply staking up the branches one on top of the other in a neat fashion, so that they would form a perimeter hedge, bordering the new opening. It must be said that Dave’s group made some rather fancy and neat hedges, while mine (Ben’s) group tended to go for the chop em’ down and stack em’ up approach.

After lunch we got the chance to work on filling in gaps between the logs of the newly built log cabin (new study and crafts room) with wattle and daub, essentially a clay based mixed mixture that would insulate the building. Messy fun! The weather was nice, a bit nippy but once we got into our work it felt like a spring day.

Green phoenix is always looking for helpers and accepting of visitors and school groups.

http://www.facebook.com/Coedphoenix

By Ben Griffiths

Picture courtesy of Coed Phoenix :)