Birch pulling at Bickerton Hill on Sunday 29th September 2024

 Three of us returned to Bickerton Hill for the first time since June 2014, we were working with ranger Sam and his spaniel dog, Will.

It was a beautiful sunny autumnal day, the worksite was a short five minute walk up the hill from the car park.

When we arrived at the worksite Sam explained that the birch had taken over the heath and had been sprayed approx a year ago.  The team were trying to bring the area back to heathland with ferns, heather, blackberries, bilberries, gorse and bracken.

The birch tress were small enough to pull out of the ground so we didn't need any tools.

Heathland before birch removal

Birch before removal

Area cleared of birch

Birch pulling

During the day Sam drove his tractor onto the site and started to remove the stacked piles of birch that we had pulled.

Sam's tractor removing birch from site

Volunteers with Will the Spaniel

Will the spaniel had a great day running around the heath, there were lots of people walking dogs so he met lots of lovely four legged friends.


During the day I took photos of the various plants/fungi in the area.

Area cleared of birch

At the end of the day we were all shattered but felt a great sense of achievement, such a small group had achieved a big task.

End of the day photo

We are due to return to Bickerton later in October and will be joined by the Merseyside group.  

Denise 

Worksite Leader