A WORK day to tackle a range of tasks clearing up a popular nature reserve attracted 26 volunteers in Wapley.


The Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve work morning on Saturday, March 14 saw the Wapley Bushes Conservation Group, a small group of volunteers and their friends, including family groups and a community work party from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, help plant trees, clean up and help improve the area.


The volunteers planted trees to form a barrier at the edge of the picnic area, while others cleaned up around the main paths and public areas, gathering around 15 bags of litter.


Dodington Parish Councillor Paul Hulbert, a regular volunteer at the conservation group, said: “The third and heaviest job of the day was probably clearing silt from the water channel out of the top pond to stop it overflowing.


“A vital part of managing the nature reserve is controlling the flow of the water to conserve the various habitats. It was interesting to find a quantity of frogspawn in one part of the top pond, something that had not been seen there before but which accounts for the frogs that are seen in the meadows.


"Wildlife Trust volunteers are organising another workday at Goose Green grassland and wetland nature reserve, north Yate, at 10am on Saturday April, 11 doing general reserve maintenance such as path clearance and tidying up.


"Everyone is welcome and please wear walking boots or wellies and bring some gloves."


The group will meet at the bridge on the reserve, west of Oak Close for the workday.