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Nature - River Mel
Nature
River Mel
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Our last article concerned the planning and permissions process that we have to follow before we can start work in the river, but what happens next? What can one do to ‘restore’ a river? The problem with the Mel is that it has become over-wide and its naturally stony bed has become covered with a deep layer of silt.
Here we explain some of the restoration techniques that we have used to enhance the river and its flow. We have used the following traditional ‘soft’ engineering techniques: Revetments edged with faggot bundles We managed to source a supply of pre-made bundles of hazel faggots approximately 2 metre in length. We initially used these to support the coir rolls as described above, but we also tried using these alone to create the front edge of the revetments. As it has turned out, this last method has proved the most easily installed and the most cost effective method for us.
Another method that we have used in places in Meldreth, but not in Melbourn, is that of woven edged revetments or ‘spilings’. Here stakes are hammered at intervals into the riverbed and then the front edge is woven with locally freshly cut willow witheys or hazel poles. The revetments are then back-filled with brashings and silt in similar manner to those edged with faggot bundles. Riffles The riffles were constructed using gravel that had been sourced with the help of the Rob Mungovan, the Ecology Officer, and it was chosen to so as to match as closely as possible the naturally occurring stone found on the riverbed. We are grateful to Dr Ian Hirst and Rob Mungovan for the help and advice they provided with regard to the installation of the riffles. Filling & Planting We have trialled a number of methods of filling and planting the new revetments • To do nothing, and wait to see what happens • To fill with a specially sourced gravel/hoggin mix & plant • To fill with silt and plant
The Robin has no direct connection with Christmas, except that the birds are conspicuous at this time, as they pair up early and sing when other birds are silent. The robin’s red breast was first featured on Christmas cards and decorations in the 1860s, (he was depicted delivering a card), and has become one of the great icons of Christmas in this country. In Victorian times postal deliveries were made on Christmas Day, the postmen wore a red uniform and became known as ‘Robin postman’, and thus associated with the gifts they brought.
There are also more robins in Britain during the winter as birds migrate here from colder regions such as Scandinavia and Germany. The robin is one of the easiest of birds to identify and is one of the most common of garden birds.
In winter and early spring males take up territories which they defend against other males by singing while perching at the edges of the territory. After a burst of song the bird listens for a reply, and should there be a rival nearby will sing loudly in his direction, and, as a last resort, attack him, which can result in serious injury. A stuffed bird placed in the territory will be rapidly ripped to pieces – try it!
The song also serves to attract females, who, unusually, also sing. Robins often sing throughout the night, being stimulated by streetlights. They do not make nests using sticks and twigs, but simply line a hole or crevasse, which explains why they nest in odd places such as boots, coat pockets and old kettles! In our garden one built a nest inside an old Christmas wreath which had been left in a summerhouse. One bird apparently nested in the engine of a WWII aeroplane, the engine kept the eggs warm while the plane was in the air!
Robins can live for up to 5 years, the oldest recorded bird in this country lived for 8 years. Robins do not mate for life and will often take a new mate in the next breeding season.
Because of its red breast the Robin was reputed in Western Europe to be one of the birds that brought fire to earth, and hence lucky, especially at the time of the winter solstice. The robin has Christian associations. Folklore has it that a robin landed on the shoulder of Jesus as He carried the cross. The bird plucked thorns from his brow, and his breast became stained with Christ’s blood.
The Robin was adopted as Britain’s national bird in the Times in December 1960. January
The snow has melted now, Uncovered on the lawn The holly that we threw Out when the year was done. The crimson berries glow Brilliant against the green, And on a sculptured bough Hard, black as ebony, A robin-redbreast flings Into the winter sky His little sparks of song Like promises of Spring. Douglas Gibson
Christmas Day, Christ’s Mass
The early church did not celebrate Christmas and it was not until 354 that the Nativity was officially celebrated in Rome on 25th December. The true date and even the year of Christ’s birth are unknown but are undoubtedly occurred before year One, as He was born ‘in the days when Herod was king of Judea’ – Herod died in 4B.C. He was also born at a time when ‘there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.’ This is thought to be sometime in the years 7–11 B.C. So Christmas is older than we think it is.
The earliest pictorial representations of the Nativity come from sarcophagi found in Rome (shown below) and Southern Gaul dated around 354.
