Fall in the Copse
As usual, the wintry nights and dark evenings have suddenly crept up on us
and the daylight hours are squeezed as we move into mid December.
Three Cornered Copse has
exhibited a splendid display of
autumn colours this year, helped
by relatively mild conditions
and moderate winds, helping
to keep the leaves on their
branches while they turn to gold.
Thankfully the dry conditions
mean the paths are not quite
as muddy as they can be at this
time of year, so still passable in
all places.
The birds and squirrels are
busy attending to the abundant
autumn fruits; this year there are
hundreds of (grey) squirrels in
the woods, proving great entertainment
for the dogs who are walking there. Some
interesting bird species are found here.
One of our members spotted an albino
blackbird recently. (It is just like a normal
blackbird, but with a mottled white head,
but still quite rare.)
We have probably completed our work
days for 2021, after the stuttering start
through lockdown in the early part of
the year. In late November we tidied and
cleared paths, picked up litter, and took
down some of the precarious branches
that were waiting to fall.
Thankfully, fly tipping has only occasionally
been a relatively infrequent problem
in Three Cornered Copse, but ever since
houses have been built along its boundaries,
rubble, bricks and non-native garden
waste has found Its way into the woods.
Because of its slightly wild appearance,
it seems folks think it less offensive to
dump waste over the boundary, rather
than disposing of it legally. The copse is a
public park in the same way as, say, Hove
Park, where no-one would think of tipping
a wheelbarrow of garden waste.
Unfortunately the council have had to enforce
the rules on several occasions lately. In
the time where care for our environment
should be high on our agenda,
the disposal of waste should be more thoughtful and
considerate for users of our green spaces.
Another Toads Hole Valley amendment
has been published, in November, and it
lists a few changes to the huge scheme,
which will transform our neighbourhood.
Much of it concerns the modification of
traffic flow in the two main arterial roads
which bracket the copse. Well worth a
look for those of us concerned with
looking after this precious green space.
In the meantime, have a very peaceful
Christmas, from The Friends of Three
Cornered Copse.
Simon Baxendale
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