On a cool, autumnal morning in early September, myself along with two of my colleagues and two of our members took part in a volunteering event at Orwell Country Park, a beautiful woodland on the outskirts of Ipswich. The park officially opened to the public in 1995 and comprises more than 250 acres of woodland with a variety of walks, wildlife and and scenery to explore. It is part of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty.
We worked with the Ipswich Borough Council Wildlife & Education Rangers to complete a post and rail fence with stock wire around a very important and well-vsited pond. Unfortunately, over the years, successive wandering dogs as well as larger pests such as foxes and deer have trampled the delicate soil around the pond, destroying much of the undergrowth and vegetation that is so vital for sheltering grass snakes, common toads and breeding dragonflies.
Once the supporting posts had been erected, we enjoyed a welcome respite with a refreshing cup of coffee and a chat amongst the trees. Soon though, it was back to work, with just the rails and wire to be fitted into place. Through teamwork and quiet determination, we managed to complete the fence well ahead of schedule.
We want to give a big thanks to our members for taking part and to the IBC Wildlife & Education Rangers for offering us the opportunity to lend a hand!