No doubt about it – sea buckthorn is a real pain
AN opportunity to have a good socially distanced chat with visitors to the coast – especially those who are making their first trips here – is not to be missed as it always gives a fresh perspective on this stunning landscape.
The recent “Coastal Ambassadors” events over the Bank Holiday weekend at Ainsdale allowed Green Sefton staff and volunteers to chat with those venturing onto the coast from as far away as Tynemouth and the Peak District.
Their views about the coast were fascinating, as was their appreciation for the flora and fauna here and the habitat management and byelaws used to protect it.
And it was great to work alongside volunteer ambassadors Lyn, Kayleigh and David, whose enthusiasm for the coastline made welcoming visitors a breeze.
Thanks to you all for your help.
Green Sefton hopes to stage more ambassador events in the future and talking of volunteers….
It’s nearly time to start grappling with the spikey problem of Sea Buckthorn on the coast again.
There’s no two ways about it, this invasive plant is a pain when it comes to sand dune management.
It was introduced as a means of preventing sand blow and sheltering crops at the start of the twentieth century, which was a time when the natural history of the dune system was hardly a priority for most.
The legacy of this planting over 100 years ago is one of profound damage to many sites in the dunes.
The nitrogen-fixing shrub shades out habitat and enriches the sand, making large areas unsuitable for dune specialists like Natterjack Toads and Sand Lizards in an alarmingly short time.
Each winter teams from Green Sefton, volunteers and conservation grazing herds of cows keep it in check, but there is always another area that needs to be tackled.
After a hot summer with frequent heavy rains the stuff seems to be positively flourishing in some spots almost in defiance of efforts to control it.
As with last winter, we will be staging regular volunteer days when we will be cutting back areas and later in the season burning the brash, so if anyone is interested in taking part in these events please get in touch with me by email at john. dempsey@sefton.gov.uk
In line with current restrictions we will have to limit group sizes to six people and volunteers will have to bring their own gloves, weather appropriate clothing and stout footwear.
Green Sefton can provide loppers, but if you have your own, feel free to bring them.
Sessions tend to last two to three hours, but any help people can give in helping to maintain the dunes would be much appreciated.
We’ll be pulling together dates for works at Crosby, Hightown and Ainsdale shortly, and activities tend to start in November, once much of our summer wildlife has moved on or become dormant.
John works for Green Sefton, the Sefton Council service that brings together the coast & countryside, parks & green spaces, flooding & coastal erosion, risk management and grounds maintenance teams for a joined-up approach to the vital management, development and oversight of Sefton’s beautiful coastline, parks and green spaces. This column looks at the flora, fauna and history of the coastline, and the work carried out to protect it.