The Giant Hill Ecology Project takes place on the hill with the Cerne Giant. We just hope they are careful with their rakes and loppers or they could do him some painful damage!  Malcolm Wemyss has reported on the latest conservation work undertaken.

Aerial view of the Cerne Giant. Photo: Pete Harlow via Wikipedia.

On Tuesday 15 March, enthusiastic volunteers continued with the restoration of chalk grassland. This event involved the removal of blackthorn and bramble which had regenerated since several years of scrub clearance started in October 2010. The former intensely dense scrub is renowed for swallowing Bill Shreeves in an attempt to pursue a Small Blue on a branch Identification Workshop!

On-going cattle grazing this year will help to maintain the sward height for the benefit of endangered species such as the Adonis Blue. Some small sycamore trees were taken down from a nearby south facing hollow to encourage a return to native grasses within a former quarry.

Adonis Blue. Photo: Peter Lister

The group was incredibly fortunate with sunny dry conditions and visitations from a Peacock and Brimstone, and two Small Tortoiseshells. To visit in spring, please refer to the guided walk in May on our Events page.