After recently cutting back the invasive bracken at Pudsham hay meadows, it was time for our conservation volunteers to return and rake up the dry leaves and stems. It was wonderful to be joined by volunteers from Devon Wildlife Trust, who brought their invaluable skills to the day.

After a slightly grey start, the sun came out and made for very pleasant working conditions. With two teams of volunteers working together, the bracken was raked away in record time, leaving some of the day left for other important conservation activities. The hedges lining the fields were trimmed, encroaching saplings were pulled and bracken was removed by hand from between newly planted hedgerow plants.

In addition to this, DWT volunteers were able to remove a tree, which had been overhanging a fence in a potentially dangerous manner. They also recut the path from the bottom of Goat field, which had been out of use for a number of years. This day of collaborative working was hugely successful and the DPA are grateful for the ongoing support which we receive from the enthusiastic and talented DWT volunteers.

Everyone involved was rewarded with cakes, cookies and runner beans, supplied by Valerie. They were also able to sit back in the hay meadows, knowing that each of them was doing their bit for a more species-rich Dartmoor.

Image courtesy of Val Barns