Bracken control

We've been spraying some of the bracken this week.   Don't expect the bracken to curl up and die in a few weeks, it only gets knocked back a little during the season of application but is severely weakened the following spring.  Bracken is a very invasive and robust plant that requires persistent effort over several seasons to get good results.  We use a combination of cutting and crushing to weaken dense bracken areas then a selective weedkiller (Asulox).  Several areas of the course that were once a dense and impenetrable monoculture of bracken are now dry acid grassland with a good mixture of wild flowers.  These areas provide a much better wildlife habitat than the bracken and a much improved golfing hazard.

Weather summary for June

The average temperature during June was 15.4° a fair bit warmer than the long term average of 14.8° and much warmer than the record low 13.6° we had in 2013.  It was the second warmest June we've recorded, the warmest being 2003 with 16°.  Rainfall was lower than average with a total of 24.2mm compared with the long term average of 45mm.  18mm of the 24.2 total, fell in the last week of the month. 

River course 3rd hole

The hedge and trees left of and behind the 3rd green on the river course that have been killed by salt water flooding were being removed today.  Some of the pines between the 3rd and 4th holes are also suffering but they're holding on and we're hopeful that many of them will recover.

Work in progress on the 3rd hole

Rough mowing

Our new flail mower had its first outing today, cutting and removing clippings in the long rough.  For the time being we're only cutting a few areas where the rough is very thick.  The outside of the dogleg on the 14th and the area just in front of the 7th tee were done today.

Top dressing

The greens have been top dressed today, the dry conditions we're experiencing are ideal for incorporating the dressing into the turf.

Spreading top dressing

Using a drag mat to work the dressing into the turf

Tawny Owl

The Tawny Owl that we ringed on the course in May 2012 was found dead in Aldringham on the 16th of April this year.  It seems that it was hit by a vehicle - a far too common fate for Tawny and Barn owls.  A typical lifespan for a Tawny owl is 4 years but the oldest recorded is 21.

Weather summary for May

May was a mild and very wet month.  The average temperature was 12.9⁰ compared with 10.6⁰ in 2013 and a long term average of 11.8⁰.  The highest temperature was 22.3⁰ on the 20th and the lowest 2.3⁰ on the 4th.
It was one of the wettest Mays on record with a total of 86.2mm, the wettest was in the year 2000 when 96.4 mm was recorded.  Of the 86.2mm recorded, 65mm fell between the 21st and 27th and of that 30mm fell in one day on the 27th.  There couldn't be a greater contrast between the springs of 2013 and 2014 in terms of grass growth.  This year we were further advanced in March than we were at the end of May 2013.

Turtle Doves

The UK Turtle Dove population has declined by 95% since 1970.  They overwinter in Africa and a few still breed in East Anglia.  There are two singing males on the course at present, the one below was photographed by the 6th hole this morning.
 

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur

Weather update

21mm of rain fell last night (21st/22nd) bringing the monthly total to 42mm.  It sounds a lot but with evapotranspiration rates running at around 3mm per day it only gives us about one dry week before 21mm of rainfall has disappeared.  

River course 3rd green flooding

The effect on a golf green of four months of daily flooding with sea water can be seen in the photos below.  The trees and hedge behind and left of the green and approach have also been killed.  We hope to start work soon on the repair and renovation work in this area as a decision on the positioning of any Hazelwood marsh sea defences is imminent.  

The 3rd green on the river course

We're constructing a low bund to help dry out the area so that work can start soon on reconstruction of the green, fairway and 4th tee.