WEEK 11, July 12

Today's volunteers were Barry, Glenda, Geoff, Hedrik, Jean, Christine, and Marg.

Jean and her new billhook joined us today, her way of thanking FWG for the loan of the Weed Pullers. The billhook is like a cross between a machete and a sickle and is an effective tool for cutting off DSV in tight places, such as under trees and where single plants or small clumps grow in the midst of desirable plants. Jean cheerfully put in 4 hours at this and it's unfortunate she is not available for other Tuesday groups.

The rest of us continued with where we had left off last week, with Christine and Marg working in the Old Field (above), along Green Heron road, and the remaining four in the field south of the pond. Glenda had a large spot at the southeast corner, where the trail from the bridge meets GH road. She spent the morning pulling and clipping DSV from under the trees there (see before and after pictures below), rescuing some small trees that weren't even visible until released from their cover of DSV. She also continues to keep a photo record of our activities.

Barry, Geoff and Hedrik worked the scythes, finishing the clearing of this field back to the banks of trees that hide GH road. Geoff worked as well on the north side of GH road, eventually linking up with us in the main field. Geoff noted the difference in regrowth of DSV in areas where he had pulled DSV and Barry had scythed several weeks ago. This is the where the Purple Finch had nested in a spruce by the road, Geoff having worked on the west side and Barry on the east side of this spruce. Geoff's area showed much more growth of desired plants while Barry's was regrowing pretty much DSV. We wondered whether the difference was owing to difference in techniques and / or difference in original state. We also wondered if the difference would carry into next year.

We tried an earlier start this week, with five of us turning up at 8:00 and two coming later at 9:00. It was a hot and very humid day, hence the early start. We could also finish by 11:00 although several worked after that. The past few weeks have shown good progress, the group has hit its stride and we are pleased with how things are going. Many challenging days ahead, of course, but we continue to work toward minimizing seed production. Attention will be paid in the coming weeks to the progress of seeds, as bagging will be required once seeds are starting to distribute.