10:00 - 13:00 - Sunday 10th July 2016
Pulbrough Brook Car Park
Pulborough
The aim of the day is to do some Himalayan balsam bashing in Wickford Bridge, which is part of the RSPB Pulborough Brook site.
What is Himalayan balsam?
Introduced to the UK in 1839, Himalayan balsam is now a naturalised plant, found especially on riverbanks and in waste places where it has become a problem weed.
Himalayan balsam tolerates low light levels and also shades out other vegetation, so gradually impoverishing habitats by killing off other plants.
Appearance
Himalayan balsam is a tall growing annual, 2-3m (6-10ft) in height. Between June and October it produces clusters of purplish pink (or rarely white) helmet-shaped flowers.
The flowers are followed by seed pods that open explosively when ripe.
The problems
Each plant can produce up to 800 seeds. These are dispersed widely as the ripe seedpods shoot their seeds up to 7m (22ft) away.
ARC are wanting to get as much of the Balsam removed before it goes to seed and spreads.
We are aiming to start at 10:00 am in the Pulborough Brook car park off A283. We will be supplied with instructions, but if you could bring your own gloves that would be helpful and advisable.
We plan to finish at around 13:00ish
The published co-ordinates are for the car park where we will meet with the people from ARC and after going through the safety briefing we will then be ferried to the location where we will be doing the Himalayan Balsam bashing.
Refreshments will be supplied on the day, but if anyone wants to bring along some cake, I am sure it will be appreciated.
It is a good idea to bring your own water/squash to drink whilst working.
This event is a part of the South Downs GeoTour. You can earn 2 bonus points per person for attending this event and helping to support the conservation of the National Park. Don't forget to bring your GeoTour Passport.
Important Information
As there can be stinging nettles mixed in with the balsam it is strongly recommended that you wear long trousers and sleeves as well as strong gardening gloves.
It is strongly recommended that your wear either wellies or good walking boots.
For people who did not attend the previous CITO's at Monkmead Wood can you please email Kate Whitton of the RSPB (kate.whitton@rspb.org.uk) with your name and contact number to speed things up on the day.