Darwin Ecology (our local professionals ecologists) are working with Shaftesbury open Spaces group on the ponds at Breach Common. They are silted up and over grown so require some clearance to improve the habitat for Great Crested Newts and other species.
They will be out tomorrow on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th from 9.30 - 5 and need some help with vegetation clearance, habitat piles etc. Get in touch with Mariko on 07892 799575 or comment on here if you want would like to lend a hand. Thanks!
(This will be a small group working outdoors so fairly low risk and able to remain distanced from each other - but of course only join if you are feeling well)
Just wanted to say a big thank you to all the volunteers who helped the Darwin Ecology team to pollard the willows over the two ponds we made a start on last week. Chris, Matthew, Jon, Janet, Karen - thank you! You all made a massive impact on how much we achieved in a short two day hit. This was all made possible by the support and funding recieved from the Shaftesbury Open Spaces Committee and the Commoners.
We were also overwhelmed with the positive comments and support from all the passers by who stopped to enjoy the new pond views and say thank you. It‘s a great place to go if you're looking for fresh air and open space. Please go and have a look and let us know what you think! We hope to arrange some volunteer events on a regular basis in the future and it proved a great way to spend time outdoors exercising whilst also maintaining safe distances. We are hoping to reignite the Friends of Breech Common Volunteer group to start work on targeted conservation habitat management to improve the open space for people and wildlife.
For more info or to get involved email mariko@darwin-ecology.co.uk
We will also arrange events through Planet Shaftesbury website. Mike, Mariko and Gabe, Darwin Ecology.
We have been here before.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/commoners-with-nothing-in-common-5417698.html
The plan to install cattle grids and a few cattle to keep scrub down, which had the full support of the Dorset Rangers (do they still exist?) was scuppered by retirees from the city who took their dogs daily to Breach Common and were frightened of cows. One lady loved the mass of pretty pink flowers (Rosebay Willow Herb, or "Fireweed") and started a BVM campaign to save them.
The Independent article isn't entirely accurate - the Commoners had been consulted, and one of the Commoners would have put the cows on the Common, as is his right. The Common now has a lot of Himalayan Balsalm, and some Japanese Knotweed.
Underneath the scrub there are the remains of the WW1 trenches - dug by soldiers as training before the went to the Front to be slaughtered. In 1981 when we moved to Enmore Green these were plainly visible.
The pond used to belong to the workhouse, which was where the Umbers Hill estate now is
I’d love to come down on Friday morning to help - what equipment do I need