Conspicuous

We've had a number of conversations and disagreements about the management of the moor, how it should be done, by whom and even whether it should be managed at all. Blacka Blogger's view is that any management should be inconspicuous and should not compromise the sense of natural change. These cut birches may simply have been left here pending removal by SWT but I'm not holding my breath.

SWT do not have a regular presence here and are usually to be found at their headquarters at Stafford Road near Norfolk Park. But occasionally when there is a fine spell of weather a group of them appear and busy themselves with a task or two from their management plan. The last few days have been still and mostly warm bringing them out with chain saws and other implements to perform what they call 'scrub bashing'.

Some of the exposed stumps of the trees have been coated with a red substance which I assume to be a weedkiller to prevent regrowth. This seems to be a new departure, not having been used where they have cut birch before. No notification has been given to the public about this.