Slow worm hibernacula at Welland.

Slow worm entering newly constructed hibernacula

Slow worm

JPR constructed some slow worm hibernaculas at a client's site in Welland.  The video shows an obliging slow worm entering its newly constructed home.

Constructing hibernacula as a refuge for slow worms is often a planning requirement on developments and they can provide excellent stops for these reptiles to over-winter.  However, hibernacula constructed with slow worms in mind can enhance refugia for a whole range of animals from insects to small mammals.

Help for the Slad Valley

Gloucestershire County Councillor for the Greens,
Sarah Lunnon next to a log pile on the Slad Brook

Deep in the upper reaches of the Slad Brook (in Stroud, Gloucestershire), among the remains of mills and leats, what can only be described as a revolution is taking place. Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems (RSuDS) have arrived in the Five Valleys - essentially a system of reducing flood risk by using natural processes to hold back flood water up-stream where it doesn't cause any problems.

After much lobbying and encouragement (and cross party support including from County Councillors) the Frome Catchment was selected as suitable for a pilot project by the Environment Agency in 2011 and work started along the Slad Brook and Painswick Stream in 2014. The pilot project is supported by the National Trust, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud District Council. It received its primary funding from a body called the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, which enabled a project officer to be employed.

Willow erosion control

Newly installed spiling in the winter

If people have problems with eroding banks next to rivers and streams, live willow spiling installation could be the solution.  This low cost method of erosion control often works in areas that are not so easily accessible for either large machinery or where it would be difficult to transport hard landscaping materials.  If concrete piling or stone gabions are not an option and a gentler, cheaper solution which is better for local biodiversity is required, then live willow spiling could be perfect.

Steart Marshes

Work underway on the Steart Marshes

Working on the Steart Marshes has been one of our favourite projects this year.   We have enjoyed helping The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust turn hundreds of hectares of the Steart Peninsual into both freshwater and saltwater wetlands.  These will become much-needed habitat for wading birds and wildfowl as well as rarer wetland species.  Follow this link from The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust to find out more: http://steart.wwt.org.uk/

Farmyard runoff and compost leachate treatment system

Bristol University has a veterinary school which operates a farm and large dairy unit. The runoff from this unit had caused a pollution incident within a local watercourse resulting in the threat of action by the Environment Agency unless steps were taken to provide a treatment system.

Newt ponds on old Concord site

Filton Airfield in Bristol - the place where Concord used to fly from - is now being redeveloped by BAE Systems.

What BAE need is a habitat for newts that will eventually be translocated from the redevelopment area.

With this is mind, JPR was contracted earlier this year to create two newt ponds with the associated planting - all is going well, on time and to budget, and we are preparing to move off site having finished the work.

The end of the willow season

Teepee by Julia Clarke

The willow season comes to an end as the weather warms up.  Bees are buzzing on the Osier catkins and the last bundles of spiling material are being cut and bundled for the Environment Agency.

Willow customers have produced a range of projects this season including Julia Clarke in London with her beautiful teepees and tunnels.

Here are just a few images of some of the structures which are now gracing gardens and schools.