Adel Pond is an important breeding place for frogs and palmate newts but it has suffered inthis year’s drought. A leak of water from the pond around the sluice gate on the southern side of the pond has made the situation worse.
Today Steve Joul and the chair of Friends of Adel Woods met with members of the Parks and Countryside department of Leeds City Council to ascertain what work needs to be carried out to repair the pond and to improve it. We were able to establish that water was not actually leaking through the sluice gate but flowing out through the clay below or to the side of the gate. It is possible that the leak has been caused by tree roots.
This was a great opportunity to meet up with rangers Nick Denman and Joe Craig-Jackson who will be working with Friends of Adel Woods from now on, and with senior ranger Joe Green and Jodie Robertson, conservation and woodland creation officer.
After inspecting the pond we had a quick look at the orchid (or cricket) meadow where Nick or Joe will be working with FOAW on 11th August. It was agreed that the meadow will be mown by two of the ranger team in advance of the 11th August, so that members of FOAW can rake up and compost the mowings when working with Joe. It was also agreed that a small area of the meadow would be left so that members of FOAW can have a go at mowing with scythes.
On the way back to our vehicles, we had a look at Adel Moor to discuss the work required to look after it. The moor was looking magnificent.
The continued drought since the 23rd July has left the pond almost completely dry, as shown in this photograph taken on the 10th August.
Join Friends of Adel Woods
We hope that you have enjoyed reading about our activities and would be delighted if you would like to join us.
Friends of Adel Woods were formed in 2009 to help maintain Adel Woods and encourage people to enjoy them. We meet one weekend morning a month to carry out various jobs or ”work parties”, and we also put on educational events such as bat walks, fungal forays and birdsong walks.
We are a very friendly group and welcome new members who want to help preserve our special woods, enjoy fresh air and exercise in the woods, and make new friends. If you would like to take part in our activities, keep an eye on our Home Page and come along to one of our work parties. Our next work party is on the Saturday the 9th August and our local ranger will be leading a batwalk for us the evening of Thursday the 14th August.
If you would like to join our email mailing list, please get in touch by leaving a comment on this website – you should be able to see a comment button at the bottom of this page.
Friends of Adel Woods 