After a weekend of wind and rain, Monday 7th February gave us some brilliant sunshine and clear skies. This was perfect timing for the nine volunteers from the Environment Agency’s Shoreham and Seaford Depots to utilise one of their voluntary environment days.

Shoreham Beach’s Local Nature Reserve vegetated shingle habitat is home to rare and fragile species such as Yellow Horned Poppy, Vipers Bugloss and Sea Kale. To ensure these species and the unique invertebrates that use them can thrive, it is valuable to keep in check the more dominant invasive species on the beach such as Red Valerian and Silver Ragwort.  The group of volunteers was tasked with removing a large area of Silver Ragwort just south of the boardwalk. 

Sun and a relatively light wind made the conditions excellent and three hours work was enjoyed by all.  The removal of the dominant species uncovered emerging plants of Yellow Horned Poppy, Sea Beet, Sea kale, and some members of the Daisy Family (Asteraceae) which will have large yellow flowers very attractive to pollinators. FoSB will be monitoring the progress of this patch over the coming months.

The event was arranged by EA’s Glyn Wells and organised by Laura Brook and Jacky Woolcock from the Friends of Shoreham Beach LNR (FoSB). Also supporting on the task were Adur-Worthing Council Ranger Craig Ifield who removed two truckloads of vegetation to the Council Green Waste recycling plant and FoSB Volunteer Fred Walden.