Here is the schedule of events for 2011/12 (please click to expand):

The locations referred to above can be found on the map given in the About page (above) to this blog. New volunteers will be very welcome to join us at any of the above tasks.

We meet at the Countryside Workshop, Old Pump House Close (next to 65 Kenilworth Road) at 9.00 a.m. for a 9.15 start. Signposted directions to the site are available if anyone comes late.

Volunteers will need old clothing, waterproof if rain is expected, protective gloves and wellington boots (we have a supply of gloves and boots if you do not own these).

Current volunteers comprise a wide range of ages of both genders. We’re a very friendly bunch and we’re always keen to receive new volunteers, including students on the Duke of Edinburgh and Trident schemes.

Examples of previous volunteer events (including many photos) can be found by using the search facility on the top rhs of this blog.

Further details are available from:

Task Co-ordinator: Colin Gray at 01252 616183 or colin@fleetpondsociety.co.uk

or

Task Leader: David Buckler at 01252 521282 or david.buckler@dsl.pipex.com

If you’re curious as to what a bat walk at Fleet Pond may actually be like, take a look at the write-up of a previous walk here.

Fleet Pond’s new Countryside Ranger, Louise Greenwood writes:

I am very excited to be joining the team at Hart District Council as the new Countryside Ranger at Fleet Pond.  I have been working in a similar role for Surrey County Council looking after 25 sites around North Surrey and South London.  I went to University in Reading, so spent a lot of time bird watching around the local area and received a first class honours in Zoology. I am a keen natural historian and especially interested in the insects that can be found around the pond.  I am looking forward to taking on the new challenges of working at Fleet pond. There are exciting times ahead.

New Grazing Enclosure

Livestock are going to be grazing Fugelmere marsh as of next year.  We are installing a new grazing enclosure which will include Fugelmere marsh, Fugelmere wood and Alder wood.  Grazing maintains a mosaic of vegetation this is important to provide a wide range of habitats for wetland species.  Clearance work will start in September.

Gelvert Stream Diversion

Silt accumulation is a big problem at Fleet pond this is a result of silt travelling into the pond via the streams.  We will be tackling the underlying cause by diverting the Gelvert stream through the Coldstream ditch where it will eventually feed into coldstream marsh.  It is hoped this will dramatically reduce the amount of silt entering the pond and stop the footpaths flooding during high rainfall.

Brookly Reedbed Restoration

This winter we will be clearing the scrub and cutting the reeds in Brookly reedbed. The reedbeds at fleet pond are designated as a priority habitat in the UK and are home to important plants and animals.  Bird species such as the Reed Warbler and Reed Buntings are known to nest in the reedbeds every year in good numbers.  However over the years if left unmanaged the habitat is lost due to the encroachment of trees and scrub from the surrounding woodland, these create shade as well as drawing up the water from the wetland.  Reedbeds are maintained by reed cutting, the reed is cut to encourage the new growth and to reduce the accumulation of old dying reed within the reedbed.

Looking forward to seeing you around the pond!

Colin Gray writes:

“Our new season of conservation tasks starts this Sunday.  I have had a look at Coldstream Marsh and there is a lot of alder and sallow to clear.  Soil conditions are not too bad considering the rain we have had lately but you will need wellies out there.

We will enter by climbing over the fence to the rear of Sandy Bay. There is an old fire site on the marsh edge that we can use.

Hope to see you all at the workshop at 9.15 a.m. or latecomers can join us by coming to Sandy Bay.”

Volunteers will need old clothing, waterproof if rain is expected. Examples of previous volunteer events can be found by using the search facility on the top rhs of this blog.

For more information please contact:

Colin Gray at 01252 616183 or colin@fleetpondsociety.co.uk