GCV clear Marais Rise of ivy and brambles

This was the GCV’s fifth visit to the site this year and this occasion saw about a dozen volunteers hack their way through dense brambles that had grown on the site.

Co-ordinator Angela Salmon said that they cut down a different section every year, since this encourages new reeds to grow.

‘We only take down a section so there’s still a place for animals and insects to live,’ she said.

As well as non-native ivy and brambles the group had also come across a lot of rubbish over the years.

‘We’ve already dug out a piece of carpet this morning and a few weeks’ ago we took out another carpet.’

The GCV’s work on the States-owned site started about 11 years ago and as well as rubbish it also came across a stash of stolen jewellery on one occasion.

‘Now we’ve cut it, it’s become a thriving reed bed,’ said Ms Salmon.

‘It’d be really nice to get things like reed warblers and sedge warblers.

‘It would be good if there could be water here, too.’

Among the wildlife spotted by volunteers on Saturday was a small flock of goldfinches, which was seen by regular attendee Coral Lines.

‘I love it,’ she said of the work parties.

‘I started out as a fair weather volunteer but now I come in all weathers and get stuck in.’

Also getting stuck in was 14-year-old George Stoakes, a Grammar School student who is doing his bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

‘For my volunteering I’m doing conservation,’ he said.

‘I’ve done a few beach cleans and a few things with the Conservation Volunteers.’

The group’s numbers were boosted post-Covid lockdown and Ms Salmon said attendances had stayed strong ever since.

‘This year we’ve been averaging 19 people on a Saturday and we’d now added in alternative Wednesday working parties and we average about nine or 10 at those.’

n To find out more about the group and when the next work party takes place, visit gcv.org.uk. It is also on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.