Warden’s Reports
These items comprise the various contributions to the Newsletters from the David Harris, the Pound Wood Warden, over the years. Many of the earlier reports from the warden are in the other newsletters. These included here are the more general articles.
David frequently begins his articles with a review of the weather since the previous issue. These form a useful repository of how the climate has been affecting the wood.
Christmas 1993
Volunteer Work Parties
We are delighted that so many local people have come along already. Thank you. For the horrible job of clearing the garden and household refuse along the Bramble Road we had nearly 40 people and two enormous fires, one of which was still alight when we started to rebuild it a week later! Subsequently between 20 and 30 regularly turn out on Sundays, with 12 working in November’s snow. We meet at 10 am opposite Haresland Close, all adults welcome; you won’t be the oldest unless you are over 85.
Our thanks to Bramble Road resident Ron Jeffery for arranging the removal of the refuse free of charge.
Our Tuesday Morning work party supervised by Carl Short starts at 9 am and seems to be earning the nickname “The Grey Greenies” It is they who have undertaken the skilled job of building the squeeze gates along the boundaries to keep out unwanted vehicles, but up to a dozen are also involved in coppicing Digby’s Dell.
We wish to thank the Fire Service for arranging training days in Pound Wood and in the process cutting up the two dumped cars.
They have also honed their chain saw skills on some very large and dangerous trees near reopened paths.
Young People’s Work Parties
We are very pleased to have a group of young people come to Pound Wood to help us with the work. Many are qualifying for stages of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. They have done splendid work under the eye of Mike Levett and Kate Gibbs. Thanks.
Digby’s Dell
The pond at the dell has been dug out by hand. Yes, our volunteers donned their wellies and got stuck in. Literally. Barrowload after barrowload of sludge was creamed off and dumped downhill of the pond. The depression is over a foot deeper now and larger too. A new dam has been installed, and the water level is rising. It looks a bit scarred at present but, come the summer, we are hopeful of a really beautiful and important watering hole for the woodland creatures. We must thank Steve Brown, Lyn Hudson and their team of smelly volunteers, for doing this unbelievably mucky job.
Firelogs
As we are not felling any standard trees, there is no timber of any value. The coppice timber which is predominantly hornbeam will be sold as firelogs, and it needs to stand for at least a year to be good even for that. Any member who wishes to lay in logs for next winter should contact the chairman.
You will be given written permission to remove the timber provided you carry it out of the wood! We seek a donation of 50p for as much timber as you can carry in a single trip. For logged and delivered supplies, please also contact the chairman, but delivery will be have to be timed to fit in with conditions within the wood. We only wish to enter the wood with vehicles when we are sure that they will do no damage. We do not intend to use contractors.
Gates
A new metal gate and barrier have been erected at the Tile Wood Entrance. We hope that this will be less attractive to vandals, than a wooden field gate. A traditional five-bar fieldgate has been erected at Macs Gate.
These will hopefully exclude unauthorised access, whilst allowing entry for essential vehicles. Regular use of vehicles within the wood is inconsistent with our conservation objectives. Where possible the Tile Wood entrance is to be preferred for this purpose as the ground is firmer and the entrance is not overlooked. Macs Gate will be used when the distance to the Tile Wood entrance is inconvenient.
Existing Entrances
Most other entrances will be “squeeze gates” By this we mean some form of barrier through which people can pass easily including the elderly and handicapped, but which will exclude vehicles and horses. They are normally made from coppice wood and look rustic. Some of the many gaps along the southern boundary will be closed.
New Entrances
We are very grateful to the Essex Water Company for allowing a permissive path over their land, enabling access on foot from Eastwood Old Road. They have also installed two first-rate styles, one next to their gate on the road, and one on our boundary.
We intend to install a squeeze gate or style on the northern boundary near the point at which the public footpath from the Arterial Road meets the edge of the wood. Construction will require careful thought as we do not wish it to be used by motor cyclists.
Motor Cycles
We are pleased to say that most motor-cyclists have respected our polite notices asking them not to enter the woods. In truth, most of them are young people (some would say too young) who have been given a motor-cycle as a present, and who want the excitement of trials riding without the expense or hassle of joining a properly organised club. We do not believe the majority mean any harm. However, we acknowledge there are some exceptions.
Some of these lads have been brought to Daws Heath from other parts of Essex by their parents, because land owners here have not been prepared to protect their land from trespass. The riders claim, in conversation, that Daws Heath is the only place this side of Grays that no-one throws them off. And Grays won’t be a haven for them for much longer. It is the landowner that must exercise his right to protect property from unauthorised trespass, and we intend to do this at Pound Wood. We hope that we will continue to enjoy your support in this stand, and the cooperation of the motor-cyclists themselves.
Autumn 1998
Pound Wood in Autumn
Since I last wrote to you about the happenings in Pound Wood the Summer has come and almost gone. Human woodland management activity has been minimal as is usual for the summertime, however the animals and plants have been busily changing the scene. The wood ants have taken advantage of the remains of those piles of woodchips which have been in the sunshine by converting them into proper nests. Regeneration of dormant plants in last season’s coppice area, Topleys, has been very good probably due to the wet weather. It is very encouraging to see so much cow wheat which is essential for successful recolonisation by the Heath Fritillary butterfly.
The Heath Fritillary butterfly has been introduced into Pound Wood this year as planned. Thirty-two adults were transferred from Hockley Woods (15) and Thrift Wood (17). We must thank Ken Ulrick who did most of the practical work to achieve this. The adults were released under the power line north of Topleys which had been cut last winter as part of the four-year rotational coppice management cycle planned for under the power lines.
The Rowleys coppice site was particularly good for spring flowers this year. I can recall the scent of bluebells in this area every time I have led spring guided walks. I particularly remember the thrill of two groups of physically and mentally disadvantaged children who accompanied me.
Rowleys revealed another first for me in Pound Wood on 2nd September — I heard a sound rather like crumpling newspaper and to my surprise there was a three-foot-long grass snake sliding swiftly though the leaves.
You may remember in the last newsletter issue I appealed for sources of water pipe for building a culvert at SEEVIC span. After acquiring several types of plastic pipe, the Pipeline Centre at West Horndon (ex Browne and Tawse) kindly donated sufficient galvanised steel tube for the job. We shall be doing this construction work early in the autumn to improve the access to last year’s cord wood and future coppice plots.
The area of the wood which we intend to coppice in the winter 1998–1999 is near the centre of the wood and comprises an acre to the north west of Shaw’s Dam.
We will also be cutting back the edges of many paths to restore adequate width and clearances.
If any of you require either cord wood or cut logs for your winter fires or know of anybody else who may, please contact either of the two wardens (David Harris 01268 773375 or David Smart 0370 852461) now before it is all sold. We will take your orders in advance and hopefully be able to meet your requirements.
Winter 1998
Pound Wood in Winter
Tuesday and Sunday work parties have been very well supported and I am pleased to report that we have been able to welcome a number of new volunteers this season.
Very few work parties have been cancelled due to bad weather though it has often rained at the end of the session. My boiler cupboard regularly hosts wet gloves and tools.
By the time you read this, we will have had more than half the coppicing work parties this season. Fortunately we have already completed more than half of the coppicing of this year’s plot which is to the north west of Shaw’s Dam. In the event that we run out of work before we run out of time, the northern edge of the plot will be moved north into the area which we intend to coppice in 2–3 years time.
The culvert to replace the SEEVIC span bridge, which was all but destroyed by contractors working on the overhead power line which traverses Pound Wood, has now been constructed using a steel pipe to carry the water and natural crushed stone for the infill. Centre-axle trailers can now reach the cord wood which was cut last year without grounding either end when crossing the stream. However the recent wet weather has rendered the approaches either side of the culvert liable to rutting.
We can still supply firewood either as cut and split bagged logs, trailer-loads of 1000 logs or cordwood in 4 foot lengths. If any of you require these for your winter fires or know of anybody else who may, please contact either of the two wardens (David Harris 01268 773375 or David Smart 0370 852461) now before it is all sold.
We hope to publish a more comprehensive look at what has been happening on both the Little Haven and Pound Wood nature reserves in the past year in a special newsletter to be distributed in May 1999.
Autumn 2003
Summer Volunteer Work
The only significant summer work in Pound Wood has been making barbecue charcoal. All trust centres now stock and sell Pound Wood charcoal. We have produced hundreds of bags to satisfy the increasing demand. If you or your friends need any, please contact David Harris. It costs about £1 per kilogram which is about the price you pay for lump wood charcoal in the supermarket and by buying ours, you are supporting the work of the Essex Wildlife Trust.
We have continued to make the usual range of other forest products such as hollow log planters, stools, bird feeders and carved oak “mushrooms”. As winter approaches we think of log fires. If you or your friends need any firewood logs please contact either of our wardens David (01268 773375) or Graeme (01621 828504) to place your orders.
I have been asked to pass on a very big thank you from the reserves staff especially Lisa Howells (soon to be Lisa Smart — congratulations!) to all of our volunteers who help to do the practical work. During this summer our Pound Wood and Little Haven volunteers have worked at Thrift Wood, Bicknacre, Grays Chalk Quarry, Lower Raypits, Lion Creek, Fobbing Marsh, Hanningfield Reservoir (for charcoal) and most recently at Maldon Wick. Much of this work has been ragwort pulling and Lisa is very grateful that we have been able to do this important work so willingly. Many of these volunteers also pulled ragwort at Lower Raypits, Lion Creek, Fobbing Marsh last year and were able to see how valuable last year’s work was as the amount of ragwort this year on those sites was much reduced. The work at Maldon Wick also included dismantling an unsafe boardwalk inherited from Maldon District Council and clearing a large pond of floating pennywort, an alien plant.
Winter 2004
Pound Wood in the Autumn
At the end of the last newsletter, I said that we would be seen on TV making charcoal. Well that was correct then, but in the meantime the TV company has changed the name of the programme to “Walk This Way” and the transmission date to December. In case you did not see it and would like to, I should have a video copy. Please ask me if you would like to borrow it.
Our practical work parties have continued every Tuesday, and as it is now coppicing season, we also work on the first and third Sundays of every month until the end of March. Support for Tuesday work parties has been very good with a maximum of 22 people on 23rd November. Support on some Sundays has been a bit disappointing.
This season’s coppice plot is located between Gunpowder Plot and Topleys (near to the charcoal kiln). Shortly after starting to do the work, we found that the licence to do the work had not been updated correctly, but we expect his problem to be resolved soon after Christmas and this will enable us to complete the work to the usual high standard.
Since the beginning of September, I have seen a weasel on four different occasions in three different areas of Pound Wood. Do we have an increasing population of weasels? This is the first year when weasels have been seen. John Rostron and I would be grateful to hear of any more unusual wildlife sightings in Pound Wood.
Spring 2005
Pound Wood in the Spring
In the last newsletter, I told you that the licence to do the winter coppicing work had not been updated correctly, and we expected this problem to be resolved soon after Christmas. Well it took until mid February, which was very frustrating for our volunteers, but despite this delay, I am pleased to be able to report that cutting in this season’s coppice plot was completed in March. By the time you read this, I expect that we will have finished all movement of the cut wood across the site and the exposed edges of the plot will be protected from unwanted intrusion by a continuous dead hedge barrier.
Essex Wildlife Trust is very fortunate to have such a dedicated team of volunteers maintaining Pound Wood and I, as volunteer warden, offer my thanks to all those that have helped with this work. We now look forward to a rather more peaceful summer season watching the light-loving wildlife recolonising this coppice site as we make barbecue charcoal nearby. As the 2004–5 coppice plot is so close to the charcoal kiln we have decided to call the coppice plot ‘Charcoal Corner’
Those of you that regularly walk in Pound Wood in winter will have seen the gradual deterioration over the past 2–3 years, of the public bridleway surface where it crosses the stream near to the power line corridor. The mud and water mix has been at least a foot deep sometimes! Remedial action to solve this problem is the responsibility of Castle Point Borough Council, and we have been applying pressure to the Council for at least two years to carry out repairs. I am pleased to be able to report that the repairs were undertaken by a reputable, well known local contractor on behalf of the council and the problem is now solved.
Now to the wildlife issues: we seem to have had a very unusual spring this year. Some things were early, like seeing the first ladybirds and bees in January, yet the sap seemed to be later than usual in rising (fortunately). Some blackthorn bushes which are notorious for flowering in January did not come into flower until March. How did the heath fritillary butterfly larvae cope with the recent very cold spell? Many buds, especially wild roses, seem to have been frost damaged. I wonder if you have noticed any other oddities this year.
Finally I would like to wish all readers an enjoyable peaceful spring and summer. To help the wildlife of Pound Wood to have an equally peaceful time, I would like to remind all dog walkers in Pound Wood (and our other nature reserves), to keep their dogs under strict control as requested on all the entry signs. These areas are primarily for the conservation of wildlife, and we do not expect our visitors to allow their dogs to run out of control away from the paths, chasing squirrels and frightening anything else more precious which is in the vicinity. I am sure that most readers will understand the importance of this issue and will do what they can to help.
Autumn 2005
Pound Wood in the Summer
The most significant event for Pound Wood this summer has been the proliferation of heath fritillary butterflies. The count reached about 170 to 190 at the peak flying time and this is about a four fold increase on 2004 when there was a maximum of 46. They seem to be very reluctant to move in great numbers into new areas. Even those areas which are good for cow wheat (essential for heath fritillary butterflies) and adjacent to the power line corridor where the butterflies predominate seem to colonise very slowly. However one heath fritillary butterfly was seen at the north edge of St Michael’s Church Field. Hopefully it hopped across the road and visited Tile Wood!
As usual we have made charcoal throughout the summer but we have been unable to keep up with demand this year. Demand for our range of wood products including planters, stools and carved mushrooms has also exceeded the supply. The increased demand is probably due to the Essex HarvestTM publicity in last winter’s Essex Wildlife magazine. All the charcoal and most of the wood products on sale at all EWT visitor centres are made by us here in Daws Heath and there is a limit to what we can achieve! Well done for what we have achieved and let’s hope that other wardens and volunteers, especially those caring for sweet chestnut woodland, will be able to assist in making what appear to be very successful products.
Winter 2005
Pound Wood in the Autumn
The 2005–6 winter season practical work parties in Pound Wood started in October with ride-widening on one side of the bridleway through the Smart’s End and Rowleys coppice plots. As the early autumn weather was so mild, it is noticeable that some plants which we cut back in October are already starting to grow again. Our volunteers have now just completed this season’s work under the power lines for the heath fritillary butterflies and to maintain safety clearances from the overhead wires. This includes a newly cut area at almost the eastern end of the power line corridor.
The proposed coppice plot for 2005–6 is located to the south of the bridleway opposite Smart’s End. The necessary authority to do this work has just been granted, and by the time you read this, we ought to have had several work parties cutting this plot.
Demand for firewood has been very high this season. At one time there were no less than 24 customers awaiting delivery of logs from Pound Wood so please get your orders in early to avoid a 3 to 4 week wait for your logs.
It seems to me that leaf fall is happening later every year. Despite the cold spell in late November, in Pound Wood today (3rd December), we were cutting logs with green leaves on most of the trees. As a child I remember seeing golden autumn colours in early November and most leaves had fallen a week or two later. Even in the early 1990s, when we first acquired Pound Wood, I can recall that it was only the first Sunday work party when we worked with green leaves on the trees. Hopefully we will have a proper winter this year with cold weather, snow and enough rain for our woodland trees.
Spring 2006
Pound Wood in the Spring
Last time, in mid-December, I wrote to say how mild the weather had been and the effect seems to have been to cause the leaves to remain on the trees much longer than normal. Since Christmas we have had some good cold weather and I am sure the plants realise that we have had a winter season The March temperatures were much lower than average and this has caused the spring to be late. As I write this, in early April, I can see the first daffodils starting to bloom in my garden. With Bluebell Day just 3 weeks away I imagine our splendid show of bluebells will also be late this year. Never mind! At least our guides will have shown you where to find the best displays several weeks later!
Cutting on this year’s coppice plot was completed in mid March and at that time, the sap had not started to rise, unlike most seasons when the birch trees seem to ooze sap any time from mid January onwards. This plot is located to the south of the bridleway near to Smart’s End and adjoins Backacre. We have called the plot Westacre. I can just recall the last coppice management in Pound Wood in the 1960s and I believe that this plot was last cut in about 1965. Do any readers remember this happening? I would be very grateful if you could share your memories of Pound Wood in the past with me. Even better would be sight of any unpublished photographs you may have of Pound Wood and the Daws Heath and Thundersley area in general.
Last time this particular area was coppiced, the oaks should have been thinned as the crowns were touching. We have undertaken the necessary work this time to open up the woodland floor and as a result we have a small number of oak butts which we intend to mill on site to form planks and beams. Do you or your woodworking friends require any English oak beams or planks? If so, please let me know as I am currently compiling a list of customer requirements.
The demand for firewood logs this season has been very high and continued through to the end of March. Most years, the demand falls away after Christmas. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers we were able to continue to supply logs to meet the demand by cutting logs with chainsaw and splitting by hand after our firewood processing machine failed just before Christmas. The machine is now hopefully fully functional again and we will continue to use it in the summer months to help with making charcoal. Please call me on 01268 773375 if you or your friends and neighbours use barbecue charcoal. It costs £2.75 per bag and is much better for cooking than much of the charcoal available from superstores and, of course, it doesn’t have to travel very far.
Winter 2006
Autumn in Pound Wood
Midweek workparties have continued, and numbers attending have been increasing, with 23 last Tuesday. The Sunday workparties have begun, but with a slow start (6–8). We will do one more session on the Heath Fritillary corridor and Digby’s Dell is nearly done. The new coppice site (plot 14) has been marked out to the east of last season’s plot.
We have been producing lots of logs. The last Dormouse (2005) count yielded one nest, but the final count of 2006 is yet to be done.
Spring 2007
Pound Wood in Spring
As I write this, it is almost Bluebell Day. Unlike last year, when the spring was very late and only one flowering bluebell was seen on Bluebell Day, this year we have had some exceptionally hot and dry weather since the beginning of April and I expect the bluebell flowers may well be past their best on 29th April.
Our winter coppicing work was well supported by our able team of volunteers. Thanks to everybody that has helped. The 2006–7 coppice plot is located south of the bridleway and north of Shaw’s Dam. Those of you that visit the plot before August will notice that we still have a lot of clearing up to do. Unfortunately as the spring was early and we finished cutting quite late, we did not have time to finish the work before the bluebells and wood anemones appeared. We will therefore wait until these plants die back before carrying on.
As usual we will continue to produce our top quality barbecue charcoal throughout the summer. We can now also supply horticultural charcoal. So if you want to keep the slugs and snails away from their favourite plants in your garden or want to stop your water butt from emitting nasty smells then try some of this. I always have a stock of both types locally so please call me on 01268 773375 to arrange collection. Our prices are the same as last year — £2.75 per bag bought locally or £3 per bag if bought from EWT visitor centres.
We still have a small number of oak butts on the recent coppice plots which we intend to mill on site to form planks and beams. Do you or your woodworking friends require any English oak beams or planks? If so, please let me know as I am still compiling a list of customer requirements. The milling will not be done until I have found a market for most of the wood as it is a very expensive operation.
Autumn 2007
Pound Wood in Summer
When I wrote the previous newsletter we were approaching Bluebell Day and some plants were being stressed by drought conditions in Pound Wood. Even the growth of bluebells was stunted this year. Needless to say that now we have had so much rain, everything is growing well again. Those that walk regularly in Pound Wood will have noticed that our volunteers have been unable to keep up with the usual path clearing as everything is growing so quickly and so tall. Sorry, but we are doing our best!
During the very dry spell there were two fires in Pound Wood. The first was very small but the second, about two weeks after Bluebell Day, resulted in dramatic local press reports. Though these fires were unfortunate, I am pleased to tell you that there is no long term damage. The fires were in leaf litter and have resulted in temporary loss of the ground flora and loss of lower leaves on the trees over an area of about half an acre.
On a practical note, we have continued to make top quality barbecue and horticultural charcoal to meet your needs. I always have a stock of both types locally so please call me on 01268 773375 to arrange collection. Our local price is the same as last year at £2.75 per bag but you may pay £4 per bag if bought from EWT visitor centres.
The rain came at the wrong time for heath fritillary butterflies as heavy prolonged showers occurred about a week before the expected peak number. However the maximum count this year in Pound Wood was still about 200 which is good. To our surprise heath fritillary butterflies have appeared in Starvelarks Wood among suitable habitat and about 65 were seen flying there. Maybe the succession of strong easterly winds last year during the flying season blew them across the fields, St Michael’s Road and Tile Wood.
Winter will have arrived before you read the next newsletter so I can remind that we can supply firewood logs. Please call me for details.
Please note that EWT has now been awarded the internationally recognised Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) seal of approval for its management of woodlands which indicates good practice and sustainability. We ought to be displaying the little curly tree logo on all our products but we have not got the labels organised yet. Before you ask, we are not intending to have label on the end of every firewood log, however our customers may well see the logo on receipts.
Winter 2007
Pound Wood
Work parties on Tuesdays have continued throughout the summer, mainly making charcoal and maintaining paths and structures. Well done everybody that has helped! The Sunday work parties started in mid-October. Can I remind you that this year we are starting at 9.00 on Sundays. Volunteers can still join at 10.00am but the opportunity is there to make an earlier start if you want to.
The early Autumn work has been largely concerned with cutting back the regrowth under the western end of the power line corridor. Visitors will have noticed piles of straight cuttings stacked alongside the bridleway in this area. We have been moving this material for use elsewhere in Pound Wood to help protect our large badgers’ sett. Sorry for any piles which may have temporarily obstructed paths but work was hampered by wet weather on several occasions.
Coppicing work started in early November. This year’s coppice plot is north of the power line corridor, almost in the north east corner of Pound Wood. This plot is unique insofar as it is the farthest coppice plot from the work party meeting point. Trailer rides to and from the site help our older members with getting there.
Once again winter is here; the evenings are cold and logs are in great demand. During the Summer we acquired a new log processing machine for use all the time on our Daws Heath nature reserves, releasing the other one for use elsewhere. If you or your friends require firewood logs, please call either me (David Harris) on 01268 773375 or Stephen Grimshaw (our new Little Haven Warden) on 07515 329762 for details.