Category: Ashlawn Cutting

Volunteering resumed at the cutting on Sunday 18th April. The focus from then on has been to control and eliminate non-native species. This does cause some concern with visitors, as were are observed removing Bluebells. The bluebell in question is of the Spanish variety. It is both non-native and invasive. It is growing where we would much prefer to have native wild flower and grasses growing, which in turn provide a benefit for the native wildlife.

I have provided a guide to the difference between native and non-native bluebells, produced by ©Katrina Martin / 2020VISION

Continue reading “Holding Back the Invaders!”

The Rugby Wildlife volunteer group has made exceptional progress in the latter part of this year, especially having lost over 20 weeks of activity due to coronavirus lockdown. December’s work has focused on two key areas – Maintenance of Pytchley Marsh and creation of new hedgerows.

Continue reading “Ashlawn – December 2020”

The volunteer group has made great progress on two fronts – grass cutting and hedge maintenance. We are fortunate to have work that enables the group to spread out to conform with covid-19 distancing requirements, while still having no one left in isolated working.

Continue reading “Ashlawn Update (2) – November 2020”

The annual task of cutting the grasslands and taking off all the cut material has been going for 6 weeks so far, with a few more to go. This exercise is vital to protect and enhance the growth of wild flowers and grasses for the multitude of species that depend on them, This in turn also provides sustenance for the lower end of the food chain!

Continue reading “Ashlawn Update – November 2020”

The grass cutting has been going since last month and with the volume to be completed, will probably keep the volunteers busy on this task until Christmas! This exercise is essential to keep the grasslands open, for the benefit of the wild flowers and grasses that are essential to support the invertebrate life.

Continue reading “Ashlawn Update, October 2020”

Let in the light

Our work in the cutting during this month has focused on two key activities:

Continue reading “Ashlawn Cutting – September 2020”

We have been very active in our conservation work since returning from the enforced lock-down. Work has taken place in four key areas.

Continue reading “Ashlawn Update – August 2020”

The first volunteer work party since the covid-19 lock-down restrictions took place on Thursday 6th August 2020 at Ashlawn Cutting.

Continue reading “We’re Back…..!!”

The grasslands from the station platform looking south are coming into full bloom, aided by the favourable weather of late, bringing that wanted mix of sunshine and rain.

Continue reading “Ashlawn Meadows come alive!”

For the last two winter seasons, new hedge lines have been created and/or restored in two sections of the cutting by dedicated volunteers:

• Blossom Way Entrance to Little Farm
• From Onley Land end, on western boundary

Continue reading “Hedge Laying Review @ Ashlawn”