Thanks to all who came to help with the annual pull of Himalayan balsam from the town park river, to limit this invasive species. It threatens to overwhelm our native species and adversely impacts the associated native insect life. It can also damage and erode stream and river banks, thereby causing a threat of serious erosion and increasing the flood risk.
We did a survey to see for any signs of Water Voles, whose habitat is river banks but saw none. We got permission from the riparian owner – East Suffolk – and advice from Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
We’ll attempt to do this once a year, before the flower jettisons its seed. It’s a satisfactory task, the primordial roots come up easily, and the company of pullers is enjoyable. If you’d like to be involved get in touch.
Second pull with Beth, Kai, Rachel and the dogs, two Peters, Dinah, Kingsley, and Gus. We tacked the small gathering of balsam on the river by the underpass, followed by a continuation of the town river. A good two hours. An impressive amount done. Need to check and amalgamate the piles of balsam after a few days. Thanks Beth for taking the photos.
