GCV pollard willow trees at La Garenne
A PASSION for nature overcame fears of getting wet and blown over by the wind for the small but committed army of Guernsey Conservation Volunteers at the weekend.
In some of the wildest weather of this winter, about 15 people turned up for the charity’s first work party of the year.
They were at La Garenne Nature Reserve to pollard the fast-growing willow trees.
Pollarding is basically heavy pruning to cut back the top branches.
Angela Salmon, the group co-ordinator for the GCV, said the aim was to provide food and protection for birds and countless insects.
‘We’re cutting the branches down to about a metre from the ground, and that creates diversity on the site.
‘Once the branches are down we cut them into small pieces to make wood piles, and those wood piles can be used by small mammals and insects,’ she said.
‘And around the actual pollarded tree, there will be more light on the ground so new plants will come through and also a lot of new growth of the willows, and that helps all the insects and birds that prefer to live in the young growth of trees.
‘It’s one of those sites where progress happens really quickly because they are big branches that are coming down, so there’s a team of people cutting down the branches and another team of people chopping them up and making into wood piles.’
The volunteers were undaunted by the almost monsoon-like weather, and arrived suitably attired in waterproofs and sturdy boots.
Ms Salmon said it was good to get back into the outdoor routine after the festive period.
‘It’s also quite good to burn off a few calories and get a bit of exercise, and some fresh air because it’s quite easy to stay indoors at this time of year, and seeing people you may not have seen over the festive period.
‘It’s good for health and wellbeing.’
It was teenager Olivia Palmer’s second work party with the GCV, and she was not put off by the inclement weather.
‘My friend comes a lot, and in all weathers, so I thought I’d come along and give it a go.
‘The first time we were at a different site cutting down reed beds, it’s different every time and that’s part of the attraction.’
For more information about volunteering and the calendar of work parties, the website is gcv.org.uk
