This year we were able to tackle to Himalayan Balsam as soon as flowers were spotted, and a group of FVWPA volunteers spent Sunday morning tackling the invasive plant. It was important to do this before it had a chance to set seed, because it is an annual, fewer seeds means fewer plants next year.
We had some isolated plants in hard-to reach places, masses of plants smothering some areas, and others dominated by stands of Himalayan Balsam over two metres high. However, by the end of the morning every single flowering Himalayan Balsam around the pond was destroyed except for a couple on the island. We’ll have to find a way of reaching those!
We also dragged a channel through the floating grass to provide an easier passage between the two halves of the pond. However, there is probably plenty of water under the grass so no fish were trapped in the “muddy end”, which is what we feared.
On the topic of fish, while we were catching our breath and enjoying hot coffee and biscuits a kingfisher swooped down, grabbed a fish from the surface and zoomed off to a secluded tree branch to eat it. What a treat to see!
We will probably need another Balsam Bash later in the summer as more flowers appear. If you would like to join us for good company, chocolate biscuits and a chance to see the kingfisher make sure you add your name to our Friends list to make sure you receive an invitation.
Thank you everyone that came along to help, it was great to see you and we can definitely say “Mission Accomplished”.