3rd August 2026
Today sees the start of clearance work at the Tufa Field SNCI. In what seems to have become an annual event, once again, contractors are destroying a significant Butterfly and Moth breeding and feeding ground, at the height of the season when these rapidly disappearing creatures are at their most vulnerable.
The program involves initial clearance, cutting paths and removing debris and fly tipped spoil from previous tenants.This will be followed by a second closer cut once the removal of Slow Worms and other creatures has been ascertained.
The work is expected to take 2 weeks.
The gallery here shows the work in progress. Even after the severest drought in 50 years, the central stream remains active and running freely.
Vegetation has been removed in the areas designated for the Swales, underground tanks intended to catch excess water runoff from the field after development. This is to protect gardens and houses down the slope from inundation events.
The vegetation removal has exposed the other attempts to control this space, including two previous reptile fences, infiltration test holes and groundwater measuring boreholes.
Yet more infiltration testing is planned before digging of the Swales.
18th-30th August
Infiltration testing has started. This consists of digging a 2 metre deep pit, filling it with a measured amount of water (ironic on the first day of the local hosepipe ban), and timing how quickly it drains.
Repairs to the Reptile fence have also been completed and new traps laid.
The ravages of the 2026 drought can be seen here, but notice that the central and western sections remained green. The streams have never dried.
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