RSPB root out problem plant

FAMILIES from Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers teamed up at Riverside Park to help tackle an environmental problem that has a detrimental impact on the native riverbank flora.

Himalayan balsam is a tall, prolific and invasive plant that the group say causes huge problems along waterways and is best controlled by pulling out the quick-growing stems before the plants have chance to seed.

The group worked hard pulling out and collecting bundles of complete balsam stems, carefully avoiding nettles, brambles and wildflowers.

Leader David Wilson, who has just completed the first year of his ecology degree at the University of Worcester, enjoyed directing the creation of a huge sculpture, a spider sitting in a web, using the balsam stems.

Explorers then ‘set’ the design by bashing the stems with jumping and stamping.

As well as completing the sculpture this also ensured that the balsam would not re-grow.

Group leader Tina Hanak said: “We would like to thank all the volunteers who turned up and worked so hard in the drizzle – great fun was had by all and we contributed to a really important conservation task”.

See Macclesfield Wildlife Explorers’ Facebook page or follow them on Twitter @ MaccWildlife. Details of meetings and next year’s 30th anniversary programme will be published at macclesfieldrspb.org.uk.