Farnham Updates

The list of Flora and Fauna shown under the Farnham Gravel Pit heading is updated periodically. The twice yearly newsletters include a record of sightings at the gravel pits.

Up to date sightings at Farnham are shared on the Twitter handle @HDNSFarnham and can be followed by clicking the Twitter button at the bottom of every page. You can receive new messages directly onto your computer or mobile phone by using a Twitter account.

Maintenance Reports

Maintenance work at the gravel pit is carried out regularly by a team of volunteers. Reports of this work are given to council meetings and you can read these reports below

The dates outside of boxes are the dates of the council meetings that received the reports.

16th January 2024 Council Meeting

Farnham Sunday Management Days 2023-24

24th September

22nd October

26th November

10th December

14th January

18th February

17th March

All are on Sundays and start at 10am, meeting at the hide. Further details from June on 01423 885612

Farnham Management Report September - December 2023

Completed by Mike Smithson, June Atkinson and Richard Stobbs

September 12th

Areas around willows and paths were strimmed prior to the work day. On 24th willows below and adjacent to the hide were cut back and raked up. A large willow leaning over the shed was cut back to the main trunk and the branches removed.

October 22nd

Work continued to finish cutting back the willows. A large overhanging blackthorn and a willow were cut back from the path adjacent to the copse. Hawthorns next to the hide were cut back. The strimmer mower was out of action.

November 26th

There were several branches in the old copse, that is next to Area 6, which were overhanging the path and these were cut back using an extending pole saw. Rabbit holes were filled in and the area cleared of debris. All the debris from the day, plus that from the last two meetings, was burnt. Honeysuckle growth from the path by the hide was cut back and four willows at the car park were also cut back.

December 10th

Overhanging branches on the west side path were cut back. The remains of the bonfire debris was raked up and removed. As the rain continued work was halted at 12 noon.

Mr Downes’ team strimmed the fenced off areas on 13th. The large area of the top car park has yet to be cut.

19th September 2023 Council Meeting

Farnham Sunday Management Days 2023-24

24th September

22nd October

26th November

10th December

14th January

18th February

17th March

All are on Sundays and start at 10am, meeting at the hide. Further details from June on 01423 885612

Farnham Management Report June & July 2023

Completed by Mike Smithson, June Atkinson and Richard Stobbs

Seedling birches, willow and alder were spot-treated with Round-up at the south open area and all sides of the west path. In the West Field, suckers of Blackthorn were controlled with Round-up. Brambles were treated in the fenced off areas. Birches, alders and willows were controlled in the lakeside area below fenced off Areas 2,3 and 6.

The top path on the East Bank and the path from the hide to the car park were cut with the strimmer mower.

A very large top-heavy willow which was leaning over the tool shed, had some branches which touched the roof removed; the rest will be removed on the next work day.

The top car park was strimmed with the mower to control Hypericum which is invading the area. It was racked up and removed.

Ragwort by the pond was cut down and raked.

Below the hide, teasel control continued by spot treating with Round-up.

New cladding in the form of floor boarding was used on/fitted to/fixed to the rear end of the new section of the hide and also on a small area to the left of the hide door. It was treated with three coats of Cuprinol. This work was completed by Mike Smithson, Patrick Bailey and Richard Stobbs.

20th June 2023 Council Meeting

Management at Farnham Gravel Pit 2022-23

The volunteer Management Team undertook a work day on site each month from September 2022 to April 2023. Work undertaken included:

1. new cladding was put on the front of the hide using floor boarding,

2. willows were cut back below the hide,

3. Crassula was raked out from part of the pond and left on the bank,

4. the contractors strimmed the six areas fenced off against rabbits and geese,

5. the level of sand in the Sand Martin wall drops each year, 19 bags of sand were taken out and used to build up the level again. The sand medium has to be the correct medium, otherwise it could collapse while the birds were breeding,

6. a new hand rail was fitted to the bridge leading to the copse,

7. the hedge round the pond was cut,

8. the Pyramidal Orchid site, which is fenced around to protect the plants, was strimmed,

9. the Tern Platform was cleaned up and made ready,

10. ten old fence posts were replaced with new around the fenced-off

11. the top path on the East Side was padly damaged when contractors carried out work on behalf of NPG. The team’s final job was a major effort to make the path safe again.

Team Management Work

January 15

Several willows beside the car park were cut back. Brash from fallen birches along the path to the hide were raked up. The ditch to the car park was cleaned out. A small gate was made to give access to the fenced of areas 3 and 6. Usable timber was sorted from the wood store under the hide. Several young seedling birches by the old pond were cut down. Five members attended.

February 14

Nineteen bags of sand, which was obtained on site, were taken out to the island to top up the Sand Martin wall. The willows on the island, which had been cut down during the previous season, were burnt and the island cleaned up. The gravel on the tern platform was turned over and cleaned. Some of the boards were seen to be in need of replacing. The handrail on the bridge was replaced with a new one and supports were added to it. The felled birch trees from the previous work day were cut up and the stumps treated. Area 5 was raked off. The new cladding on the hide was given a second coat of preservative. Seven members attended.

March 19

Work started on the top path east bank. Bramble growth was cut back from the path edges. Tree branches, which had been left on the path side by the contractors were moved further away. The area was raked free of debris. A wind damaged branch in Area 5, which was still attached to the tree was cut down. Ten new fence posts replaced old broken ones in all fenced off areas. Fallen branches from the dead elm tree at the pond were raked up. Brash from the previous work day was burnt.

April 2

An extra meeting was arranged to finish off work on the east bank. Removing of cut tree branches continued and they were piled up in clearer areas. The cutting up and digging up of brambles continued. Areas which were left open to the field edges were filled in by creating barriers using left over tree branches. All the area was raked clear of debris down to the end of the track where it meets the top car park. A third coat of preservative was given to the hide. The last two meetings were hard work for the team.

June Atkinson

17th January 2023 Council Meeting

Management at Farnham Gravel Pit 2022

Erosion was noticed at the base of the Sand Martin wall. After inspection, concrete was laid at the affected part of the base to reinforce it.

September 24th

A reclaimed piece of guttering was fitted to the tool shed. The problem of the large over hang on the roof was solved by fitting new woodwork and brackets. The down pipe was dropped into a large drain pipe and laid underground. Thanks to Mike Smithson.

October 25th

The cladding on the new section of the hide which was built in 1994, has gradually deteriorated and warped. Temporary sheeting was replaced by new cladding, using new floor boards instead of the original shiplap. Thanks to Richard Stobbs, Mike Smithson and Patrick Bailey for an excellent job.

Team Management Work

September 25

Willows were cut back in front of and adjacent to the hide, with a hedge trimmer. The cuttings were raked up and taken to the bonfire area.

October 25

Despite early rain, the bonfire was lit and work continued. Blackthorn branches were cut back from around the shed, also willows from the adjacent path. Hawthorn branches were cut around the feeding station.

Work finished at 12 due the wet weather.

On November 23 the contractors strimmed off the fenced off areas and around the pond and the top car park was strimmed on 28th.

Kerry and Sue raked the fenced off areas on 5th and 7th December, which was much appreciated.

November 27

On this work day the area around the pond was raked up before the Crassula was raked out of the south end of the pond and left on the side. This area had not been raked off for a long time so there was a lot of material removed. The Pyramidal Orchid site was strimmed and raked off. The hedge next to the pond was trimmed and material removed. |Only four members attended this meeting.

December 11

After much discussion a newly made owl box suitable for either Kestrel or Owl was erected in the copse. The Crassula was raked and covered with polythene. A layer of ice prevented any more Crassula from being removed from the pond on this day. Rakings from the fenced off areas were removed. Again, only four members were present.

June E Atkinson.

27th September 2022 Council meeting

FGP Summer Work

May

Over the last 2 years geese have been eating the new growth on the Reed Bed necessitating preventative measures being taken. Posts and plastic fences were erected on the lake side of the Phragmites; this was not easy as it was carried out from a boat due to the high water levels. The fence has been most successful much to the annoyance of the geese.

June/July

Spraying control continued on the Alchemilla mollis in the top car park for the second year and is proving effective. Spot treatment of brambles, alder, willow and birch saplings was undertaken. Around the pond margins seedlings were treated as, because of the liner they could not be dug up. A large and developing area was encroaching into the fence line and this was treated. The edges of the west side footpath and surrounding areas have to be inspected each in a constant battle against seedlings of alder, birch and ash and suckers of aspen; three of these species were introduced as part of a badly thought-out restoration programme after the quarry ceased operations in the late 80’s. This has caused us unnecessary work over the years.

The east bank top path was cut with the strimmer mower.

Alder, birch and willow saplings were controlled on the car park island. The path to the lakeside and the path along the ditch to the hide were cut with a mower. There were many birch seedlings in Area 6 and these were spot treated as were many willow seedlings in Area 2,3 and 6.

The Pyramidal Orchids in the compound had their best year with 232 flower spikes counted plus a further 63 outside the compound. Invasive species such as Greater and Rosebay Willowherb, Creeping Thistle and brambles were occurring and were in need of control and so as the orchids had gone over, with the help of Sonia Starbuck shielding other species I spot-treated them until the ants became too busy. Other small areas were treated when Mike and I had a spare moment.

In July, contractors paid by the Electricity Generating Board came into the site on the top path of the East Bank to cut back tree growth away from the cables which lead to the factory. The work was carried out with a flailing machine. The results of their work this time looked somewhat like a mini version of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. It will take years for the vegetation to grow back and much has been done to damage the habitat for resident wildlife. It is too difficult for me to describe the wanton destruction caused after we have managed the site for so many years. We have erected a sign warning our members that it is too dangerous to walk amongst the lying tree debris. It is going to be difficult for our management team to create a safe path in the circumstances.

Any help from Society members to tackle this job will be very welcome.

June E Atkinson

Chair of the Management Committee

Sunday Farnham Management days 2022-23

September 25^th
October 23^rd
November 27^th
December 11^th
January 25^th
February 19^th
March 19^th

All are on Sundays and start at 10am, meeting at the hide. Further details from June on 01423 885612

6th April 2022 Council Meeting

Farnham Management Work 2021-22

Following the lifting of lockdown restrictions management work began in April 2021.

Trees damaged by strong winds were made safe and fallen branches removed. The Sand Martin wall was topped up with sand. Dead vegetation from previous years’ strimming around the pond and Area 5 was raked up. The battle continued with filling up rabbit holes on paths and where they had dug their way into Area 6; although this is fenced off it was a previous warren and is still attractive to them.

A general tidy up of fallen tree debris round the old copse after the winter was undertaken.

June

The many small saplings of birch, willow and alder in the large open area at the south end of the site were controlled.

July

Around fenced off Area5 invasive nettles were treated with Roundup.

The dreaded Alchemilla mollis is growing in part of the open area in the top car park and we have tried several times to deal with it, we will see what happens this year after another year to eradicate it.

The top path on the East Bank was cut with the strimmer mower.

Seedlings of Hypericum sp which were becoming invasive in the Pyramidal Orchid compound were pulled out by hand to prevent them from spreading further.

August

The old section of the hide which was built from reclaimed timber in 1979 had new roof sheets fitted as the original ones from 1985 needed replacing. Inside the hide the low old beams were removed, necessitating modifications for lifting the viewing flaps. Following the latest vandal damage it was necessary to re-clad the hide door and three coats of wood preservative were applied.

Rotten timbers were replaced in the small equipment shed and they were given two coats of preservative.

September

The top path on the East Bank and the edges of the ditch to the hide were cut with the strimmer mower. Prior to the first Management Day the areas between the willows below the hide were cut with the strimmer mower and raked off. This makes for easier working when cutting back the willows. All the willows below and around the hide were cut back using hedge cutters, the cuttings picked up and taken away to be burnt.

November

Work continued with cutting back willows.

Over in the copse some overhanging willow tree branches were also cut back.

Everything from the old hide roof together with the willow branches was burnt. Some Crassula was removed from the pond. The contractors strimmed all fenced off areas and also around the pond.

December

Crassula was removed from the pond edges and placed under black plastic.

The hedge at the pond was cut. The fenced areas were raked off. The Pyramidal Orchid compound was strimmed and raked off.

January 2022

Many small alder saplings by the path at the east end of the top car park were cut down and the stumps treated.

Work continued along the East bank path cutting back the brambles from the edges of the path also cutting down small suckers of blackthorn and treating the stumps. Overhanging branches were cut back. This work is to be continued.

February

There is evidence that rats were present on the main island and this was investigated. Two traps were placed where they could be seen from the lakeside and rodenticide was put down the rat holes. Due to bad weather there was no signs of the presence of rats. Some parts of the Sand Martin wall were rendered and the tern platform was cleaned up. Work continued on the East Bank path.

March

On the 5^th a small boat was used to take out 19 bags of sand to the island and this was used to top up the sand behind the Sand Martin wall. A coat of Weathershield was applied to the wall.

March 20^th the present cladding on the front of the new section of the hide is badly warped and no longer waterproof. It was built in 1994 and is now needing re-cladding. A temporary waterproof sheet is covering the front until the management team can begin work on it.

Fallen tree debris was raked up around the old copse and pond area. At the south end several yards of invasive bramble growth alongside the path which grew during lockdown were cut back. A few sapling alders by the lakeside near the hide were cut down and treated.

23rd August 2021 Council meeting

2021 Summer Management Work

Following the lifting of lockdown restrictions management work began in April 2021.

South Area adjacent to the lakeside – birch saplings were individually treated with Roundup, and brambles over a considerable area.
Birch clearing – treated for seedlings.
West Path edges – treated
Fenced off Area 5 nettles –treated.

The Main Island is covered with nettles and brambles, large area sprayed.

Alchemilla mollis on the top car park and west path – treated with Roundup plus.

New belt fitted to strimmer.

Hypericum seedlings pulled up from Pyramidal Orchid site by June and Sonia Starbuck.

Ragwort cut down near botanically sensitive areas.

The old section of roof has been replaced by professional roofer, old beams then removed by management team, followed by viewing flaps alterations. Thanks to Mike Smithson.

Monday 23rd August Richard Stobbs, Mike Smithson will be on site to discuss future management with June. Management Team now consists of only 6 members, 8 having left in last 3 years. This means that the team will be unable to maintain the standards of the last 20 unless members of Society step up and the site will be poorer for it.

10th November 2020 Council meeting

FGP Management Committee Planning Meeting 24th August 2020

Proposed work to be carried out winter 2020/21

1. Mow paths around the hide and between the willows before Work Day.

2. Car Park Island Area; cut down sapling birches and treat. Clear path to lake for boat access to the lake to go to the islands. Trim willows back adjacent to the hide, by the lakeside and to the right of the hide.

3. Copse – cut back hawthorn and elder by sheds. Cut back hawthorn and blackthorn along path. Cut back overhanging branches along the West Side Path.

4. Pond. Remove Crassula by hand if possible. Pull out seedling willows around the pond.

5. Area 5. Cut back birches and hawthorns at top of path.

6. South Bank Path. Strim and cut back brambles.

7. East Bank Top Path. Cut overhanging branches and brambles.

8. Fenced off areas. Rake up after strimming.

9. Clean Tern platform.

10. Clean ditch out to car park.

11. Sand Martin Wall. Top up with sand and remove nettles from the holes. Collect branches cut down last winter.

10th March 2020 Council meeting

FGP Management Committee Meeting 18th August 2019

Proposed work to be carried out during winter 2019-20

1. Strim the areas among the willows and paths ptior to cutting. 2. Cut back willows below and around the hide. 3. Hawthorn and elder to be cut back in the copse and along the path above Area3. 4. West side path; cut back any overhanging branches. 5. Area 5; cut back several hawthorns along the path. 6. South path; cut back any overhanging branches and brambles. 7. East bank; cut back any overhanging branches and brambles. 8. Hide; replace the shiplathe boards on the hide door. Hide is to be treated with wood preservative. 9. Pond; remove sapling willows and cut the hedge. 10. Strim the pyramidal orchid site. 11. Replace fence posts in fenced off areas.

Summer work; to be undertaken by the management committee during the summer 2020

Control path sides with Roundup for seedling alder, birch and aspen. Strim paths along the East Bank and around the hide. Control bracken and brambles along the East Bank with Roundup.

2019 Farnham Summer Work

July and August East and South paths were cut with the strimmer mower. A large area at the south end, adjacent to the lake where birch and alder saplings are abundant were treated with Roundup. The edges of the paths along the west side were also treated with Roundup.

Winter Management Days

September Paths around the hide and also at the east and south ends, were cut with the strimmer mower. The area between the willows below the hide was strimmed and raked off prior to Management Day. 15th September2019 THE HIDE ROOF WAS REPLACED. A member of the Angling Club volunteered to undertake the work, aided by members of our team, unfortunately he under-estimated the complexity of the work, Unforeseen problems have arisen with the new hide roof, due to the structure of the old section, which was built in 1979 from reclaimed timber that had been used by the gravel company as a washing shed. Also, there have been problems with the fall on the roof as it emerges that the new roof does not have sufficient fall, causing the water to the front of the hide. Temporary measures have been taken to make the roof water tight until next year when the front will be raised to produce the correct fall. Willows below and adjacent to the hide were trimmed back with hedge cutters. 13th October 2019 Cutting of willows continued until we were rained off. 20th October 2019 Rain damaged chipboard on the inside of the hide was cut off and replaced. Mr Downie’s team strimmed all fenced off areas and the top car park was cut with a ride on mulching machine. Elders and willows on the main island were cut down using a chain saw. There is still a hawthorn and one elder to be cut down. 17th November 2019 Willow cutting, begun in October was continued. Elder, blackthorn and willow were cut back from paths below the copse. Overhanging branches from two hawthorns were cut back along the path above areas 2, 3 and 5. Fenced off areas 2,3 and 5 were raked off. All brash work from the work days were burnt. The cutting down of vegetation on the islands was abandoned due to high water levels. December 2019. There was no work day, our Christmas party was held instead.

21st May 2019 Council meeting

FGP Management Report Winter 2018-19

7th April 2019

The sand martin wall was topped up with sand and old carpets on top of the wall renewed. Being of suitable quality the sand was dug out of Area 6. Over the years we have obtained sand and gravel free of charge from Tarmac in Ripon, as one of our members was employed there. He has left now and we will have to source a new supplier when needed. The gravel from the Tern platform was removed and washed through a sieve before being replaced on a cleaned platform. Old fence posts were replaced around the fenced off areas. Only a small work team attended this session. June Atkinson

17th March 2019

Work on the west window was completed. An alder tree which had fallen onto the main carpark was cut up and removed. A small alder tree on the west side which was leaning and had a large amount of dead wood was felled and removed. At the side of the West Lakeside Pool three willows were cut and their stumps treated. All of this tree work was undertaken using a chain saw. Rabbit proof fencing was placed around the Pyramidal Orchid site. Brambles were cut back along the south end of the boundary path. Nest boxes were cleaned out. The ditch to the car park was cleaned out. Due to weather conditions the intended work on the sand martin wall was deferred until the next meeting. Bags were filled with sand in readiness.

17th February 2019

All windblown tree debris was raked up between the hide and the carpark. Rotten wood inside the window on the west side of the hide was removed; this work will be continued. Brambles alongside the West Path were cut back. Three seats had old planks replaced. There was a low turnout of members.

13th January 2019

The hedge at the pond was reduced in height. Some willow branches were removed from around the guilder rose tree. Following recent gales fallen tree debris was raked from Area 5. Area 1 was raked over with a springbok and bramble seedlings dug up. Two willow tree branches by the copse were cut back. All brash was burnt.

9th December 2018

Rotten woodwork on the front of the hide window was removed and replaced. Area 5 and around the pond were raked off. Work was carried out along the East Bank top path to remove the overhanging branches of blackthorn and hawthorn, also bramble from the path side.

18th November 2018

The old cladding above the hide windows had become badly warped and was not rain proof so it was covered with roofing felt. The inside sills of the side hide window had rotted and these were removed and replaced. Areas 2, 3 and 6 were raked off, having been previously strimmed. Hawthorns by the hide were trimmed back. Plastic netting around the pyramidal orchid site was in a bad condition and so was removed; it will be replaced at a later date by rabbit proof fencing.

21st October 2018

The cutting back of willows, begun last month, was continued. Following a period of strong winds, two branches of elder and blackthorn were overhanging the path by the copse and these were removed. Heaps of Crassula were removed from the side of the pond and covered with black polythene stack sheets. All tree brash was burnt.

10th December 2018 Council meeting

The following work has been carried out:

August 2018

Farnham management comittee meeting

Present: June E. Atkinson (Chairman), David Holmes, Mike Smithson, Richard Stobbs.

PROPOSED WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT DURING WINTER 2018/19

Lakeside – cut back all lakeside willows, but strim vegetation between willows before cutting.
Area 1 – cut back willows adjacent to Area 1, strim paths and banks in area.
Copse – remove three fallen branches that are still attached, by path along copse.
West path – trim back willows along west path.
Fern bank – cut willows back from Buckthorn.
Pond – pull Crassula from pond by hand.
South path – cut back brambles from path.
Rake up areas that have been strimmed.
Top car park – strim both sides.
East bank – cut path and cut back overhanging branches.
Tern platform – to be cleaned up.
Main island – two large elder trees and one hawthorn need to be cut down. Team to investigate what is involved in this work.
Pyramidal Orchid site – assess the installation of better rabbit-proof fencing.

SUMMER WORK – to be undertaken by the Management Committee in summer 2019.

South end – control large area for seedling birch and brambles.
Areas 5 & 5A – continue to control nettles and brambles.
Fern bank – control the spread of Male Fern to keep the area open.
Summer mowing – paths around the hide, west side and East bank to be mowed as necessary.
Control willowherb and brambles with Roundup on top car park.
Control all path edges for sapling alders and birches.
Pyramidal Orchid site – spot control bramble and willowherb with Roundup.

July 2018

Summer Work

Greater Willowherb, brambles and sapling Alders on the top car park area were controlled with ‘Roundup’. Alders, Birch and brambles along the West side path and on the Fern Bank were controlled with ‘Roundup’. All paths around the hide, the West and East Paths, were cut with the strimmer mower.

April 2018

Sand was taken out to top up the Sand Martin wall. A coat of ‘Weathershield’ was applied to the wall. Old debris was cut down on top of the wall. Steps were renewed at the side and rear of the hide and topped up with new gravel.

March 2018

A fallen branch from a dead elm on the East Bank path was cut up and removed. Overhanging branches and brambles were cut back from the path. An overhanging birch on the mound was cut down and removed.

February 2018

All fenced off areas were raked off after previous strimming. Old debris from last year’s cutting of lakeside willows, was raked up and removed.

29th January 2018 Council meeting

14th January 2018

In the top car park – both sides of the area were cut with the strimmer mower and the invading brambles were cut back. West side – work, which commenced on the Fern Bank on the previous work day continued. Several birch saplings were cut down and the stumps treated with Roundup. Wind-blown tree debris was raked up and rabbit holes filled in, adjacent to Area 6. In order to remove a trip hazard along the path to the copse, tree roots which were above the level of the path, were sawn through, this work is to continue. Tree branches, left from the previous work day were burnt.

10th December 2017

As part of the restoration of the site in 1986, three wild privet bushes were planted in the fern area, on the West Side. Over the years, they have grown, and one in the centre of the Fern Bank – has reached a height and spread of 8 feet, as it has produced suckers. On this work day it was completely removed, together with a smaller one close by the path. Trees have grown up through the third bush but, as it does not present a problem, we will stop it spreading by controlling any suckers. Two new owl boxes were erected. A new bird table was made.

19th November 2017

Branches of alder and birch overhanging the path to the hide, were cut back. Four large willows adjacent to Area 2 were cut back. Sand from the extensive rabbit digging in Area 6 was bagged up to be used in the Sand Martin wall. All tree branches, which had been cut down previously, were burnt.

6th November 2017

Mr Downie and his team strimmed all fenced off areas, the bankside below the hide and around the pond.

First Aid Course

Three members of the Management Committee – Robert Brown, Mike Smithson and Richard Stobbs will take a First Aid course in March. It was noted that up to 12 members attend the work days, however it is unclear how available Robert Brown will be in

6th November 2017 Council meeting

15th October 2017

Work continued by Area1 cutting down blackthorn and hawthorn and cutting back willows. Blackthorn branches which were overhanging the shed were cut down. Willows by the car park pond were cut back. A work party on the islands cut down vegetation, cleaned out the tern platform and put the gravel through the riddle to remove solid debris. They also cleaned the Sand Martin wall and applied a coat of Weathershield; cement mix was used to fill in a small area at the base of the wall where the mortar had dropped off. Mr. Downie will soon be making arrangements to go to FGP and strim the fenced off areas.

17th September 2017

Lakeside willows below the hide were cut back, while several were cut down and treated to open up the area for easier access in removing cut branches. Willows adjacent to Area 1 and near the Phragmites bed were cut back. Old timber from the tern platform and hide were burnt. Large willows by the lakeside were cut back.

4th September 2017 Council meeting

July 2017

Alders and Willowherb on the top car park were sprayed with ‘Roundup’ but the work was not completed. Ragwort growing in several areas was cut. Paths on the west side were strimmed. Spraying of Alders on the top car park continued. Whilst applying wood preservative to the old timber on the rear of the new section of the hide, I removed a rotting floorboard at ground level to find that the telegraph pole which was the main rear support for the hide was rotting away because of rain falling from the roof. I asked a member of the Angling Club, who was an executive for McAlpine for advice. He kindly did the work on it for us by inserting long bolts around the pole then building concrete up the pole from the base. He also re-bolted three benches by the hide and replaced rotten wood on one of the seats. The Pyramidal Orchids in the fenced off area produced 40 flower spikes, with an additional six outside the area.

June 2017

Hogweed in Area 2 was treated with ‘Roundup’ applied with a paintbrush.

May 2017

The hide was treated with two coats of ‘Fence Life’ . The Iris bed in front of the Phragmites was treated with a mixture of cooking oil and ‘Roundup’, applied with a paint brush. Rosebay Willowherb in the Pyramidal Orchid site was treated with ‘Roundup’ using a weed wiper.

April 2017

New wood was placed around the edges of the tern platform. Plastic netting was erected round the Pyramidal Orchid site. The ditch alongside the path to the hide was cleaned out. Fungicide was applied to the rear of the hide.

March 2017

The front of the old section of hide was re-cladded using floor boarding, then preservative was applied.

Pre 2017 Council Meetings

15th March 2016 Council meeting

7th February 2016 A fibreglass kit was used to repair a small hole in the boat. Thanks to Mike Smithson and his contacts, a load of bark chippings was delivered and this was spread on the path to the copse and in front of the bird feeding area. 14th February 2016 Strimming of the top car park, begun in January, was completed. Little maintenance was required on the top path to the eastern boundary as two sessions were undertaken in the previous year, a few branches and brambles were cut back. Previous bracken spraying has been successful and will be reviewed this year to ascertain if further treatment will be necessary. The paths to and around Area 5 were checked, brambles and overhanging branches were cut back. Blackthorn from the copse is encroaching above areas 2 and 3, a habitat favoured by some ground nesting birds. The blackthorn was reduced to keep the area open and more attractive. Bark chippings were spread on the path below the copse. Nest boxes were inspected, cleaned out and six were replaced. We are grateful to Brian Derbyshire who supplied 12 new boxes. The west side of the hide was treated with wood preservative. 13th March 2016 Twelve bags of sand were taken to the island to top up the Sand Martin wall. The vegetation on the top car park, previously strimmed, was raked up. Several alder and sycamore saplings were cut down and treated. Area 1 is undergoing a makeover. Last year, areas of open soil were seeded with fine grasses which have grown successfully. Another area is now being prepared for similar treatment. A top straining wire was inserted in the rabbit-proof netting on Areas 3 and 6 to prevent it from falling over. Some overhanging hawthorn branches near the nest boxes in the west field were cut back. David Holmes has agreed to join the Management Committee from this year. Management Committee Chair – June Atkinson Members – Robert Brown, David Holmes, Dr. John R. Mather (advisory), Mike Smithson, Richard Stobbs.

25th January 2016 Council meeting

22nd November 2015 All areas strimmed on the last work day were raked off. Overhanging willows behind the pond were cut back and two large willows in front of the pond were pollarded. Branches from a large willow and a blackthorn overhanging the path below the copse were cut back. The strimmer-mower was used in the top car park to cut down rosebay willowherb; this work will continue. 27th December 2015. All brash from previous work days was burnt, which necessitated moving the rubbish out of the water onto dry land as the lake level had risen. Area 5 was raked off. 17th January 2016 Branches of willows which were overhanging the West Path were cut back to the main trunks. The hedge alongside the pond was cut and raked off. Tall hawthorn and elder trees at the feeding station were cut back. Molehills were levelled and rabbit holes filled in around the feeding station in order to prevent accidents. 17th November 2015 Summer Spraying Programme June 2015 The brambles and birches along the path at the bottom of the mound leading to the East Bank were treated. Brambles alongside Area 5 were also treated. Alder, willow and birch in the area around the car park pond were controlled. Spraying of Alchemilla mollis on the top car park was begun. July 2015 The spraying of Alchemilla mollis was completed. August 2015 Alder and birch along the edges of the West Side path up to Sandy Bank were sprayed. Further control of alder saplings in the car park and shelter bank took place. September 2015. During two sessions, a Weed Wiper was used in the birch area on the West Side. The small shed was re-roofed with felt by Barry Dawson. Team Management Work Sunday 20th September Crack and white willows on the back spit island were cut down and the stumps treated. Three new fence posts were erected to support the netting extension around Area 6. Willows around Area 1 were cut back. Alder and birch saplings along the lake side below the hide were cut down and the stumps treated. Sunday 25th October . Work on cutting back willows below the hide was completed. Areas 1,2,3 and 6 and round the pond were strimmed. Several tall willows next to Area 2 were topped back. A small team replaced two retaining boards on the steps below the hide.

30th March 2015 Council meeting

Work carried out at Farnham GP by Management Team 14th – 29th March 2015. I have been concerned for some time about the amount of moss which is affecting most of the site, in particular around the pond where it is so dense that natural regeneration from seeds is not taking place. Together with Mike Smithson, I began a trial using a springbok rake to remove the moss and create areas of open, bare earth. We will monitor any development over the summer months. Management day 29th March 2015 Two members spent the whole day boarding out a boat, which had been given to us by the Angling Club, to create another nesting site for Common Terns. The boat will be moored to the right of the tern platform through the summer and brought in when the terns have finished breeding. A bramble patch by the lakeside below the hide was reduced as it was encroaching on the access to the boat launching site. The bank above Areas 3 and 5 was cleared of brambles which were encroaching on the footpath, and debris from a dead hawthorn was raked out and removed. Ash and alder saplings on the top car park were cut down and treated and the tops removed. In Area 1, bramble shoots were dug up and problem weeds were removed. Also in the rabbit netting around Area 1 were repaired. The first phase of revegetating Area 1 was begun as it had become overgrown with unwanted species. A small area had been treated last year to eliminate rosebay willowherb, spear thistles were also removed, but the main species were retained. The area has been sown with a diverse meadow grass seed of 14 species including three fescue species and catstail, foxtail and cocksfoot. This seemed the best mixture to encourage a good diversity of insects and we will minitower the results carefully. Seedlings of knapweed and devil’s bit scabious from other parts of the site were transplanted into Area 1. An extension to increase the height of rabbit netting around Area 6 was put in place to prevent them from jumping into the fenced area from the adjacent bankside. A fallen, dead hawthorn behind the fence at the pond was cut up and removed. This work took 10 people five hours to complete. It was the last job of the eight planned management days, though there are still a few jobs to be completed. June E. Atkinson Chairman, Management Committee

23rd February 2015 Council meeting

Management Day 8th February 2015 Work continued around the car park pond – all small alder saplings were cut down and treated. This area must be kept open to maintain the path giving access to the lake, for transporting materials to the island which have been delivered to the car park. The area was raked and all the rubbish burnt. The hedge at the pond was trimmed. Work was begun on the top car park area to control the brambles. Old tree stumps from work carried out in previous years, were levelled to make it safer and easier to use the strimmer mower. Six management days have now been completed. On Thursday 19th February, the large unsafe willow tree in the copse was felled, leaving a stump of about seven feet in height.

20th January 2015 Council meeting

i) 14th December 2014 Branches overhanging the West Side path were cut back, alder saplings and aspen suckers were cut down and treated. Ditches along the main track and the path to the hide were cleaned out. Alder saplings are becoming a major problem on site and work has begun around the car park pond which is fast becoming a forest; alders have been cut down and treated, the work will continue. ii) 11th January 2015 Work around the car park continues. The top car park area was cut with the strimmer mower. Rain stopped the work and it will continue in February. 11th November 2014 No meeting in July/August 2014. The following is the recent update. The photos are of recent clearance work on the west side of the lake. Click on a picture to enlarge. Use browser back button to return to here.

2014 Autumn Meeting

Work carried out at Farnham GP by Management Team -September, October, November 2014 Sunday 21st September The path along the East Bank was cut. The willows below the hide and below Area 1 were cut back. Areas 2, 3 6 and around the pond were strimmed and raked off. Sunday 19th October The large willow FGP Work Party (3)below the copse which was overhanging the path was cut back. Area 5 was strimmed and raked off. On the west side, willows were cut back from the path. Several birch and alder saplings were thinned out from the lakeside tree belt. The lakeside willows were cut back. Tuesday 4th NovemberFGP Work Party The task of applying wood preservative to the hide was begun.

June 30th 2014

Farnham Update .Management day 20th June. Due to the wet summers of the last two years, the spraying programme has been delayed and, as a result, many birch and alder seedlings had spread and the saplings increased in size. During June, I sprayed to control the many birch and alder saplings, also brambles, in the open areas on the west side. This is an ongoing problem but necessary to prevent these invasive species spreading into areas of botanical interest. The East Bank was cut with a strimmer mower. The two diseased elm trees were felled on 18th June and burnt where they fell. I have also sprayed bramble growth and alders on the top car park area which is always a productive site for butterflies. During the next week, paths will be cut prior to Members’ Day. 44 holes are occupied in the Sand Martin wall; fledging is expected this week. 7 pairs of Common Terns were present; three of which reared six young, two pairs are still on eggs and two pairs failed.

May 19th 2014

Farnham Update. Management Day 23rd March. Sand was taken out to the Sand Martin wall to top up the shortfall. A new membrane and carpet was laid on top of it. Some brambles were scythed down. A second team worked on the top car park where brambles were lopped off prior to the area being strimmed. Along the top path of the East Bank brambles, hawthorn and blackberries were cut back in order to keep the path open. Management Day 6th April. An extra day was called to finish the work on the East Bank path, where a large area of brambles were strimmed well back. Brambles were strimmed from the paths around Area5. The banksides of the lakeside pool along the West Path were cleared. The hedge at the pond was trimmed and the ditch beside the path up to the hide was cleared out. An estimated 15 pairs of Sand Martins are presently visiting the wall and another pair of Common Terns makes a total of 6.

March 4th 2014

Farnham Update . Management Day in January was cancelled due to bad weather and re-scheduled for 2nd February. All branches and debris from the December work day were removed and burnt. In the old copse, all overhanging branches reaching to the ground were cut back. All wind blown debris and fallen branches were raked up. Management Day 23rd February. Around the pond and Areas 2,3 and 6 were strimmed and raked off. New bramble growth in the top car park was cut back prior to strimming. Bramble control took place on the East Bank top path; this involved cutting the brambles well back from the path edge. Due to a strong wind the covers could not be taken out to be placed on the tern platforms. Nest boxes were inspected and cleaned out. Six new boxes for Tree Sparrows were erected; we are very grateful to Brian Darbyshire who made the boxes for Farnham to replace the original ones used in the survey, as they are falling apart. On 24th February Barry Dawson and Robert Brown put in an extra day to take out the covers to the tern platforms and carry out essential repairs. On 1st March, a long awaited project to level a very badly sloping path below the copse was begun. JEA started by cutting back invasive blackthorn and raking it off before Barry Dawson started to dig out and level the path, using boards to form the edging. Large quantities of wood chippings were delivered free, on site, last week. These will be used for the footpath.

Jan 20th 2014

Farnham Update. On the Work Day on 27th October 2013 the cutting back of willows below the hide, begun last month, was finished. Two large willows by the pond were cut back. All rubbish was burnt on the bonfire. On the Work Day on 24th November 2013 Willows to the left of the hide were cut back, also hawthorns from around the feeding station. Area 5 was strimmed and raked off. The application of wood preservative to the hide was completed. In December, David Chandler who is qualified and licensed to use a chainsaw, cut up the willow tree which had split and fallen in the copse and then removed it. He also cut down a silver birch tree which was overhanging the west side path.

Sept 23rd 2013

Farnham Report. There is no report this month as the Autumn planning meeting is still to occur. Ann requested that the Farnham Ecological Report is on the next agenda when she has had time to read it.

July 22nd 2013

Farnham Update. Management work completed before Members’ Day on 14th July. All the paths were strimmed; the East Bank paths to the hide, around Area 5 and the South Bank path. Overhanging branches were cut back along bramble patches, giving access to view White -letter Hairstreaks. Branches overhanging the path to Area 5 were cut back. Round-up control for hogweed, bramble and willow was used in Areas 1,3 and 6. Thanks to good weather, about 30 members attended Members’ Day this year. An optics and camera display, supplied by Marcus Grover from Northallerton, provided additional interest for those seeking new equipment. Butterfly species produced an excellent display with many Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and Ringlets recorded. The White Letter Hairstreaks obliged, giving good opportunity for photographers. Dragonfly species were also numerous with Emperor and Black Tailed Skimmer, Brown Hawker and four species of damselfly. Many thanks go to David Alred who helped members to identify each species. The Common Terns have young on the islands, which are beginning to appear again as the water level recedes. This report will go on the website ( see NEWS items – members day )

March 4th 2013

Farnham Update The Management Day on 27th January was cancelled because of the snow. On 24th February, one group removed encroaching saplings and cut back overhanging branches from the path on the East Bank, they also removed a large blackthorn bush. The other group strimmed and raked off the fenced-off areas and around the pond. June also informed Council about the very high level of the Great Crested Newt pond and the problem which the management team now faces when they attempt to remove large volumes of curly water thyme which is now covering the pond. The newts need some open water and the chemical herbicide which has been used successfully in the past is no longer available and so June is hoping that the water level will drop and the margins of the pond will dry out in the summer. They will then be able to remove the vegetation and the soil into which it is anchored so that the pond may be restored. Council discussed the matter and Jill suggested investigating the Pondlife website for any advice they may give

January 14th 2013

Farnham Update Sunday 25th November Management Day Only 6 members of the Management Team were present, as the weather was poor with light rain. Work begun on the previous work day below the hide, cutting back the willow growth, was completed. The top path on the East Bank was cut using a strimmer mower. A short work day!

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