Wild Cornwall No.83 - Autumn 2000

The autumn and winter period is when much of the Trust's habitat management work is carried out in our areas of heathland, wetland and woodland. This includes controlling invasive scrub, reed cutting and coppicing. All of these tasks are very labour-intensive and we would be grateful for as much voluntary assistance as possible. Practical tasks are a great way of finding out more about a reserve as well as doing something to maintain and improve our valuable sites.

Full details of why, what and how are given by the task leader on the day, plus full tuition on the use of tools and a tour of the reserve. No experience is needed, just plenty of enthusiasm, wellies (steel toecaps are best), waterproofs and a packed lunch. Please do not hesitate to contact me at the Trust if you would like further details or to be put on our mailing list for the PARC leaflet.

Gavin Henderson

Volunteer Co-ordinator

Sunday 15th October PENDARVES WOOD

This rich and varied nature reserve has an interesting mixture of species and habitats. The woodland was originally planted as part of a nearby estate, but now your help is needed to remove the invasive cherry laurel and rhododendron. Bring sausages for a barbecue lunch!

Meet at the reserve entrance gate 2 miles south of Camborne on the B3303 at 10.30am (SW 641 377). Lifts from Five Acres at 9.45am or Truro railway station at 10.00am are available.

Sunday 29th October DEVICHOYS WOOD

We shall be beginning our winter work at this reserve, which will include widening some of the rides, starting to restore some small-scale coppicing and removing non-native species.

Meet at the reserve entrance in Perranarworthal at 10.30am (SW 772 376). Lifts from Five Acres at 9.45am or Truro railway station at 10.00am are also available.

Sunday 12th November HALBULLOCK MOOR

We shall be carrying out some woodland management in this small but interesting reserve on the edge of Truro. Work will include creating glades by coppicing alongside the boardwalk.

Meet at the reserve entrance at 10.30am (SW 795 444). Lifts from Five Acres at 10.00am or Truro railway station at 10.15am are available.

Sunday 26th November NANSMELLYN MARSH

We shall be cutting willow to prevent it encroaching further into the reedbed habitat on this reserve, and also carrying out some reed cutting to create some age diversity.

Meet at the reserve entrance in Perranporth at 10.30am (SW 762 541). Lifts from Five Acres at 9.45am or Truro railway station at 10.00am are available.

Sunday 10th December CHYVERTON

This is an interesting new reserve north of Truro, where we will be carrying out some control of invasive birch to encourage the rich heathland flora, including Dorset heath.

Meet at the reserve entrance at 10.30am (SW 789 513). Lifts available from Five Acres at 10.00am or Truro railway station at 10.15am.

Sunday 14th January LOGGAN'S MOOR

We shall be carrying out the annual winter task of reed cutting, which is carried out on a rotational basis to create diversity within the reedbed.

Meet at the reserve entrance at 10.30am, just off the B3301, east of Hayle (SW 576 389). Lifts available from Five Acres at 9.30am or Truro railway station at 9.45am.

Sunday 28th January DEVICHOYS WOOD

Continuing with our programme of ride widening and coppicing at this woodland reserve.

Meet at the reserve entrance in Perranarworthal at 10.30am (SW 772 376). Lifts from Five Acres at 9.45am or Truro railway station at 10.00am are also available.

CABILLA AND REDRICE WOODS PROJECTS

The winter months are a busy time for woodland work, so we particularly appreciate voluntary help at this time of year. As usual we shall be undertaking a variety of interesting tasks. Refer to the list below for details or contact the ranger, Steve Chudleigh, on 0467 792427 (mobile) or (01208) 821790.

Sunday 22nd October

Coppicing and dead-hedging

Continuing our work to restore and reinstate a coppice system at Cabilla to increase the diversity of wildlife.

Sunday 19th November

Ride clearance

Further clearance of a stretch of ride at Cabilla to benefit the flora and fauna of the woods, especially butterflies.

Sunday 17th December

Tree restoration

We shall be removing secondary growth from around some of the veteran oaks at Cabilla to prolong their life span.

Meet at the reserve entrance at 10.30am. We are sorry but we cannot provide lifts from Five Acres or Truro railway station for the Cabilla and Redrice Woods tasks. The reserve is located 3 miles east of Bodmin on the A38. From the A38, travelling east, take the turning left towards Cardinham (next to White Lodge). Cross the bridge over the Fowey and access is via a track on the right past the sawmill (SX 129 652)

Cornwall Wildlife Trust