NEWS UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 2023

Blackberries seem to be especially abundant this year in Hagg Wood, perhaps because of the unusual weather patterns we have been experiencing this year, with plenty of both sunshine and rain. The rowan trees and hawthorn bushes are full of ripening berries which will help to sustain the resident bird population over winter. Fuller ditches and more muddy paths have also been experienced in recent weeks.

As our conservation work parties resume, we are finding plenty to do. We have recently been able to remove much of the brash in the Drumming circle area of the wood that was previously well used by local guides, brownies, scouts and some school groups. We have also started work in the area known as “Barbara’s Glade”, clearing brash, bramble and rhododendrons, as below, so that native wildflowers have a chance to thrive. Numerous developing small foxgloves show how productive this area can be, and should result in an excellent display of wildflowers in parts of this area next summer. If you would like to help us in this practical conservation work, please get in touch via davidmays10@gmail.com

Working in Barbara’s Glade – 5 Aug 23

Wider afield, on Sunday 8^th October we are planning to visit Tophill Low Nature Reserve, near Driffield. It covers some 300 acres, with woods, wetlands and grasslands, and includes two large reservoirs, several small lakes and has 12 hides. It regularly records over 160 species of bird annually and on any day of the year over 60 species of birds can be seen. It is also home to many other species, from otters to dragonflies. Admission is £2.50 for concessions and £3.50 otherwise. We will meet at the Reading Room car park at 9.30am, with lifts available, but your own packed lunch needed. On Thursday 23rd November at 2.30 pm, Nick Hall from Butterfly Conservation will be giving us an illustrated presentation in the Reading Room on the butterfly population of Yorkshire.

For further details of our activities, including conservation working parties, and of accessibility to the wood, please visit our website www.fohw.org.uk or get in touch    via https://haggwood.wordpress.com/contact/

Members Newsletter – 23 Jul 2023

Dear Friend

We have plenty of activities for you to enjoy and put in your diary for the coming months. On the mornings of Saturdays 5^th August, 9^th September and 7^th October, we will be resuming our Conservation Working Parties in Hagg Wood, with further details as below. On Sunday 8^th October, we will be visiting the impressive Tophill Low Nature Reserve, meeting at 9.30am at the Reading Room car park, with lifts available. On Thursday 23^rd November, Nick Hall from Butterfly Conservation will be giving us an illustrated presentation in the Reading Room at 2.30pm on his findings from recent butterfly sightings in Yorkshire.

We have also had talks with Cllr Martin Rowley and the City of York Council on the inadequate new metal stile that has been placed at the entrance to Hagg Wood, and are awaiting further progress on this issue. On the ground we ourselves have recently made good progress helping to restore the Drumming Circle near the Stone Track that was previously well used by Dunnington scouts, guides and brownies, various school groups, and the Friends of Hagg Wood for enjoyable community activity.  

If you would like to join us on our conservation working parties on the above Saturday mornings, we are meeting at 9.45am at the end of Hagg Lane, where there is a large adjacent Forestry England car park. If you need a lift, please email me on davidmays10@gmail.com. Please wear stout shoes or wellies, and bring gloves if you can. If you have not already done so, you will need to register as a volunteer on https://public.forestryengland.uk/EOI/ so that you can be included on Forestry England’s insurance cover for volunteers. Under the Forest Name you will need to enter York Wide Beat, and for the next question ‘What volunteer role are you interested in?’ you can put ‘Working with the Friends of Hagg Wood’. For the dates it is best to first click on the calendar on the right hand side of the row, and then click on the appropriate date.

Our next working party on 5^th August will be helping to improve the Barbara’s Glade area in the north of the wood just beyond the path cross roads where there is a wooden seat.

With all good wishes

Dr David Mayston

Chairman

Friends of Hagg Wood