WINTER - WORK GOES ON IN 2015

Our first scheduled group meet for 2015 took place on Sunday 25th January. 

With the earth hardened by frost, at least on the surface, the going was slightly less muddy than usual.

Some of the group are experts at removing trolleys from the river:

Here's an example of how to remove one in three easy steps.....

Step 1 - First locate the trolley in the fast flowing water and aim to

throw a line across the river to catch onto it.

Step 2 - If at first you don't succeed......approach from the opposite bank:

This worked, using two ropes and hooks, as the trolley was 

firmly embedded - not as easy as it looks.

Step 3 - Once the trolley is on the bank, extract the hooks,

which are actually small anchors.

First one retrieved, now where's the next one -

about half a mile away on the Arun....

Plans for the New Year 2015

Crab Apples last autumn 2014

The end of 2014 was quite hectic with planting activity taking priority. 15 trees were planted and about 1000 native spring bulbs went in along the verges under the hedges before the extremes of winter weather could prevent any further work.

Now the ground has become unworkable - after only 25mm of rain overnight - about an inch - the river burst its banks today and filled its natural wide river bed to the brim at about 11.00am - but the tide had turned down on the coast at Littlehampton, and the rain had ceased earlier in the morning. By the afternoon the water was quickly receding. With the Arun valley brooks full and the fields saturated, we wait for the low tides to allow the river water into the sea.

The river spreads to fill its natural and ancient river bed, the water

carrying mud from bare fields far upstream.

Looking ahead.

Birds this winter have rapidly finished off most of the available berries and fruits

and are busy on the ivy berries now, which have ripened just in time.

Our aim will be to increase the numbers of native berry and fruit-bearing plants and trees

along the river to sustain wildlife during the autumns and winters and also to increase the pollination corridors, using native blossoming trees and plants and early-flowering spring plants which can provide a continuous source of foraging for pollinating insects such as bees. Insects attracted to plants provide early food for birds too and are an essential energy source for hungry and exhausted spring migrants landing on our shores and making their way inland along the river.  

Hawthorn Berries - usually the first to be eaten!

Guelder Rose Berries - usually one of the last to go

There are still some hanging on to the bushes in January