This weekend the Bog Squad had its first work party on Langlands Moss joined with Friends of Langlands Moss (FOLM). It was a glorious sunny day and thanks to the Commmunity Payback youth group and to Maureen’s organisation (who is the Chair of FOLM) all building materials had been delivered close to our work area for us.
Over the years the FOLM have put a lot of work into the Moss, installing dams across various ditches. So left to tackle was a main ditch in the West corner, which presented a distinct line of rushes filled with running water draining the bog , as well as sporadic trees growing in and next to it - see the photo of the ditch to the left 'BEFORE' the Bog Squad & FOLM started working here. The photo to the right was taken 'AFTER' or at the end of our work party, apart from the dam(s), also note the lack of trees around the ditch!
Over the years the FOLM have put a lot of work into the Moss, installing dams across various ditches. So left to tackle was a main ditch in the West corner, which presented a distinct line of rushes filled with running water draining the bog , as well as sporadic trees growing in and next to it - see the photo of the ditch to the left 'BEFORE' the Bog Squad & FOLM started working here. The photo to the right was taken 'AFTER' or at the end of our work party, apart from the dam(s), also note the lack of trees around the ditch!
The terrain was challenging as we were working on the forest-to-bog area of the Moss and the ridge and furrow topography of the former plantation was very noticeable underfoot. But everyone managed well as we carried the plastic sheets to our dam locations.
There was a lot of expertise in the team, as more than half of the group had been involved with installing plastic dams before . So we had two dam building teams, who managed 5 very well built dams over the day.
There was a lot of expertise in the team, as more than half of the group had been involved with installing plastic dams before . So we had two dam building teams, who managed 5 very well built dams over the day.
Another team did a great job of clearing trees and scrub around the ditch area. At Lunch time at the old car park there were discussions about butterfly sightings, bird watching, damselflies and interestingly fires on bogs...
All in all it was a successful and enjoyable day – so Thanks again for your hard work Ross, Marianne, Stuart, Tam, Jim, Bill, Yvonne, Maureen, Erik, George, Yvonne, Susan and Craig.