Norfolk Reed

Norfolk reed, or to be more accurate Phragmites australis is the signature plant species of our commons; it’s what makes them so environmentally distinctive and visually exciting. It’s the backdrop, against which, everything else: willow, willow herb and rush, takes its place. I was walking through the boardwalk just this afternoon and once again marvelled at the contrast between the fresh vibrant green stems, springing from last winter’s cut and the mature parchment-tinted reeds, matured and sun-dried for three years. Of course this is entirely due to management– a well rehearsed regime of cutting, clearing and rotating, all designed to mimic what was, after all, a genuine working environment, where the reeds were cut, not for the amenity value of the landscape but for the material value of the crop.

Harvesting reed for Thatching has a long tradition in Norfolk but thatching-reed has to be of a particular quality and cut on a yearly cycle (which they call single wale). The common’s reed beds are cut in a way that is more environmentally focused (a two or three year rotation is actually better for wildlife). This also suits the volunteer workforce who, after all, are driven by the joy of it all, rather than the sale of the harvest.

For many years now I’ve been trying to find ways in which reed can be used for projects other than for thatching and in particular for sculpture. Of course Norfolk reed is perfect for thatching because it’s stiff, smooth and, when dry, sheds water. As a medium for sculpture however, it’s not particularly forgiving or easy to work. One thing’s for certain, it doesn’t bend, and believe me, I’ve tried everything from steaming to (very toxic) chemical treatments – it just won’t budge. Reed is particularly high in the glass-like material silica, which explains why the ancient Chinese potters used reed-ash as the basis for their glazes. This also goes some way in explaining its brittleness.

It does however bundle and bunch very beautifully and this is key to working with reed – you have to use methods that are sympathetic to its working character (which is another way of saying: ‘do what it tells you and stop trying to be clever’). As the photographs below go to show - you can bunch it, bind it and bundle it, but whatever you do, don’t bend it!

Moths

Excellent night last night. Tim hosted a moth hunt in his meadow, and for 3 hours we attracted a large number of moths to my expert friend's bright light. If it had not been so windy, we would have got more. The highlights for most of us were the exquisite Emperor Hawk moth, and the larger, but greyer, Eyed Hawk moth. It was fascinating to see how, once they had been convinced it was daytime, they settled down to rest in full view of everyone.The full list of moths recorded is now online at: http://www.southreppscommonstrust.org.uk/sct2/wildlife.htm

What a treat, and many thanks to Tim and Jane for their brilliant hospitality.

Summer already

Walking across the common today it struck me that although we are only a few days into June, summer is well and truly here. It has been exceptionally dry for weeks of course, but I notice the reedbed is still reasonably soft. Both the Pit and Scouts' Pond are now quite low, and I only hope we don't need a repeat of the fish rescue drama at the Pit. The orchids look to be past their best already, but there is still plenty of cotton grass and ragged robin to see.

Not very much bird activity, but there were still plenty of recently fledged blue tits in evidence, and the reed bunting was still singing from the back of the reedbed. Chiffchaffs are not singing with anything like as much conviction as recently, but blackcaps and whitethroats were still singing.

What I found less enchanting was the remainder of a picnic on School Common. At least, amongst all the other rubbish they had left behind, the litter louts had left their carrier bag, so it was relatively easy to clean up after them. I am very happy to do my bit for the community by helping where I can with looking after the commons, but it does infuriate me when I come across such laziness, thoughtlessness and downright anti-social behaviour.

On the same theme, Pit Common suffered some rare vandalism the other day, when someone took it into their head to dive a car up the track beside the pond. In doing so, they wrecked the dog waste bin that had only been in place a few months, after much lobbying of the parish council for the need.We can only hope that it can be quickly replaced.

A Queen's Award

The news that Southrepps Commons Trust has been granted the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is marvellous news, and a really meaningful expression of how much everyone involved does to make the commons such special places.

There has been a good write up of it in the Eastern Daily Press today: click this link to see the article.

EDP article:

We must be very grateful to the Parish Council for nominating us, and of course everyone who has ever been involved for making the area what it is. The challenge now is to keep up the good work!

Babies everywhere

Walking round the Commons yesterday I was struck by the numbers of recently fledged birds, particularly in the woods of School Common. Both the nest boxes that I knew had blue tit families in residence were now unoccupied so far as I could tell, but there were the begging calls of their former residents all over the wood.

I also found fledgeling long tailed tits, blackcaps and chiffchaffs, so I think it's fair to say it has been a successful breeding season already, despite the lack of rain.That lack of rain may well have an impact on the breeding success of swallows and house martins however, since they need mud to build their nests.

I always think the main common looks its absolute best at exactly this time of year, and although there was no sun, the section we cut every year was nonetheless a picture. The fresh growth of reeds contrasts vividly with the darker greens of older vegetation, and the fluffy cotton grass heads set it all off beautifully. Add to that the subtle purples and pinks of orchids and ragged robin, and you have a very pretty picture indeed. Not one my photographic skills would have been up to I fear, even if I had bothered to take my camera in such dull weather.

Glorious spring

I know we desperately need rain, but this has to be one of the best springs I can remember. This morning was glorious: warm, but fresh, with a perfect blue sky. Had a wonderful walk across the common, clocking up 30 bird species as well as a few butterflies and plants. At least two of our nestboxes in School Common are occupied by blue tits, but I hope several more boxes are also being used.

The flag irises are now in flower at Scouts' Pond, and although the water level has dropped a lot it looks good nonetheless. The picture doesn't do it justice.

After that, across the boardwalk I found not one but three reed warblers. There is rarely a more futile exercise than peering through reeds trying to find these birds, but I was anyway, when there was some fluttering on two appeared, one chasing the other. A bit of a territorial dispute I fancy. I had earlier had a reasonable view of a singing reed bunting. It was too far off for a good picture, but I see that my effort caught him in mid shout.

I see the orchids, ragged robin and cotton grass are all in flower, making a lovely show.

As for the butterflies, I found a speckled wood in Warren Woods, still several orange tips, and now there are also lots of green veined whites about.

Evening delights

Had a quick belt across the common this evening, in the late and cold bright sunshine. I'd gone for the encouraging reason that the box of wildlife survey forms needed topping up, and decided to take a quick look at what might be about at the same time.

I was not disappointed. Willow warbler and chiffchaff singing, alongside a song thrush. Then I heard my first sedge warbler of the season, in area C (the section cut last winter). There was also a reed bunting singing from somewhere in there.

And then, just as I was turning back from the Warren Road end, I got this good view of a muntjac. Not bad for a 15 minute walk!