October Update

Dear Members,

Halloween is just round the corner and the clocks went  back last weekend. No especially cold weather so far this Autumn but with gales forecast this week and November fast approaching it’s time to get out the gloves, hats and scarves.

A bounty of Sweet Chestnut this year.

Troserch Woods are going through the annual Autumn leaf fall, and thinning of undergrowth vegetation. It will be interesting to see if the warmer summer has any long term effects, certainly the berries and nuts have been abundant this year and for the first time in my life this year I saw two grass snakes near the woods, perhaps a good year for them in the warmth. A moth count in September revealed 57 different species. A less welcome addition to our biodiversity this week has been some cattle that went walkabout in Troserch Woods, so don’t panic if you see some hoof prints!

Our thanks go to Dan, Brian and the team from Dwr Cymru for the work they did this week repairing the riverside walk.

We have established a club for our mountain bike riders this month; it’s to be called TWMBA. We would welcome expertise to help us fully establish the group and would like MTB riders using the woods to get in touch. The aim is to make the trails a legitimate part of the woods and ensure they are maintained properly; at the same time ensuring they don’t interfere with pedestrians and horse riders. Please get in touch to find out more.

Honey Fungus.

Our Identified fungi total for Troserch Woods now stands at 90 - closing in on our target of 100 different species before the first hard frosts of winter arrive to curtail our foraying. More details on our woodland fungi is available on our wildlife site.

We plan to sell cut and potted Xmas trees again this year starting at the Llangennech Xmas Fayre at the Community Hall and then on subsequent Saturday mornings till Xmas from Troserch Woods carpark. More details to follow.

Finally we are replacing some of our older nest boxes this year. Anyone willing and handy with hammer and nails to make new ones please get in touch.

Why not have a look at our blog, www.troserchwoods.co.uk and add your own photos and views, or check Facebook for forthcoming working parties.

As always everyone welcome to our next meeting on Weds 6^th November 7.30, Llangennech Community Hall

Jan Glover

Secretary