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The vast swathes of woodland covering much of the eastern United States always seem to grab the headlines at this time of year – ‘The fall’ is undoubtedly an amazing spectacle but woodlands in this country, including those at Watchtree, produce equally memorable backdrops.  Autumn is arguably the best time for exploring Watchtree’s rich and varied landscapes; Leaves of every shade of brown, green, red and orange create deep, crispy piles in the undergrowth whilst high in the canopy, leaves not yet ready to depart the tree, flitter and sway in the early winter breeze.  It’s not only the rich palette of colours that makes walks in the autumn so enjoyable – the earthy, woody smells created by organic matter being broken down by woodland invertebrates and bacteria is equally memorable.

Wintering Fieldfare, a member of the Thrush family, have started to arrive at Watchtree – roving flocks regularly sweep across the landscape searching for abundant Hawthorn berries or ‘hips’.  Jays are not uncommon at Watchtree and this striking bird is often found in Pow Wood, for here, Oak trees produce acorns which the Jay may store for the bleaker months yet to come.

Our wetlands are also beginning to attract wintering species; Snipe, (over seventy at times), may be seen literally a few yards from the window of the ‘old’ hide’. Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Teal, Moorhen, Little Grebe and various species of gull have all been seen in recent weeks.  The two bird hides and the bird viewing area at Watchtree make for excellent stop-offs whilst exploring the many dedicated nature trails.

Our regular team of volunteers sees the development of Watchtree first hand and over the previous three months they have contributed nearly eight hundred hours of volunteer time – an amazing contribution considering the atrocious weather over this period.  Volunteer tasks have included; planting Devil’s-bit Scabious seeds and plants as part of a feasibility study which looks at creating habitat for the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, now an endangered species; tree guard removal -  a volunteer favourite!; path repair, and last but certainly not least, assisting with open days, guided walks and helping with Watchtree’s newest project, the Watchtree Wheelers cycling project.

Everyone is encouraged to visit this special nature reserve and enjoy the rapidly developing range of habitats, wealth of wildlife, woodland trails, bird hides and bird viewing areas.  As well as our regular open days and guided walks, (advertised in local press, website and newsletters), the reserve is also open to ‘Friends’ who have completed a simple site induction.  Following the induction ‘Friends’ can access the reserve during daylight outside normal working hours during summer evenings and weekends, for example.  Contact the Nature Reserve Manager for details regarding access to the reserve, using the specially adapted cycles, becoming a volunteer and how to become a ‘Friend of Watchtree’.

Dates for your Diary

Sunday 16^th November 10:30am-4pm. Open day

Sunday 28^th December 11:30am. ‘Walk off the Christmas Pudding’ walk

Volunteer work parties every Wednesday at 10:30am. Groups welcome to visit Watchtree on request.

Contact: Tim Lawrence, Watchtree Nature Reserve, Nr Great Orton, Carlisle. Tel: 01228 712539 or Email:wnr@watchtree.co.uk.

 Website: www.watchtree.co.uk

A not for profit company

Watchtree Nature Reserve is a refuge for endangered wildlife as well as a venue in which the public can enjoy quiet recreation amongst stunning surroundings; on a clear day both the northern Lakeland fells and Solway Firth are visible. Visitors at our August evening walks saw for themselves jaw dropping sunsets casting shadows across Skiddaw, High Pike and Carrock Fell.

Soon, an exciting new cycling project called ‘Watchtree Wheelers’ will be based at the reserve, enabling persons of all abilities to access specially adapted cycles.  This unique cycling project is made all the more exciting because of  the ‘off road’, traffic free conditions at Watchtree.  In addition, the health benefits associated with regular cycling are numerous; including, reduced stress, improved cardiovascular fitness and reduced blood pressure etc…and all this at a nature reserve!

We hope the local community will support this exciting project and, crucially, vote for Watchtree at the soon to be aired ‘Peoples Millions’ programme on Border TV – funded by the Big Lottery Fund.  The Peoples Millions programme on Border TV should take place some time in December so, again, it’s vital that people actually vote for Watchtree.

Watchtree’s weekly volunteer work parties continue throughout the year every Wednesday at 10:30am and also the first Saturday of the month.  Everyone is welcome whatever their ability, just turn up with the appropriate clothing and we provide everything else; boots, gloves etc (groups please pre-book). Recently, volunteers have installed a new path to the ‘new’ bird hide, planted flowers for endangered butterflies, drained flooded areas and…everyone’s favourite, removed plastic tree guards (80,000 trees, each with its own ‘tree guard!).

Despite the miserable summer, the recent ‘slightly better’ weather has seen a welcome influx of wildlife: Common and Ruddy Darter, Emerald Damselfly, Great Crested Newt, frog and toad have all been sighted at the recently created ‘young persons’ pond (so-called due to young persons from Caldew school hand-digging it).  Arguably the most spectacular viewing so far this autumn has been the hundreds (300+) Goldfinch descending on thistle and knapweed flower heads.  The value of so-called weedy plants (Ragwort, thistle, dock and nettle etc) cannot be over-stated.  Ragwort, for example, continues to flower and thus produce a nectar-rich energy source well into late summer.

Our 2009 Calendar is, as I speak, being printed so anyone wishing to purchase one for next year should request a copy by contacting Watchtree; contact details at bottom of page.

Dates for your Diary

Thursday 9^th October 7pm. Social Evening at Watchtree

Sunday 19^th October 10:30am-4pm. Open Day

Sunday 16^th November 10:30am-4pm. Open day

Volunteer work parties every Wednesday at 10:30am. Groups welcome to visit Watchtree on request.

Contact: Tim Lawrence, Watchtree Nature Reserve, Nr Great Orton, Carlisle. Tel: 01228 712539 or Email:wnr@watchtree.co.uk.

 Website: www.watchtree.co.uk

Pow Wood, one of Watchtree’s two established semi-natural woodlands is an absolute ‘must do’ for all visitors.  This special woodland has its own unique atmosphere and for a relatively small wood of just a few hectares, often feels like a vast wildwood.  Graceful Silver Birch gently sway in the lightest of breezes, and, depending on the season, subtle shades of green, purple or grey from within the canopy draw the visitors eye skyward.  Here, birds including Redpoll, Coal Tit and Siskin chatter amongst themselves as they busily extract seed from tiny female Birch fruits.

Rather than rush through this woodland (or any woodland for that matter), by stopping for just a few minutes, a new secret world emerges through the dense blanket of fern, holly, rowan and honeysuckle; The Red Fox is occasionally sighted, now content to quietly seek out potential prey.  Roe Deer ‘freeze’ against the backdrop, their fur coats camouflaged against the dark herb and shrub layers.

Though apparently devoid of wildlife, fallen trees and dead (decaying) wood represent a vital component of the naturally functioning woodland, creating habitat for mini-beasts which in turn sustain other woodland wildlife including Wood Mice, Great Spotted woodpeckers, Treecreepers, Wrens and the occasional Jay.

Visitors wishing to experience this outstanding woodland should come along on one of Watchtree’s many open days or guided walks, details at the bottom of this page and also on our website: www.watchtree.co.uk

No fewer than fifteen schools visited Watchtree in June and July and with twelve guided walks and open days, June and July 2008 represented one of our busiest ever periods.  The long hours of daylight and warmer temperatures no doubt a contributory factor in increased visitor activity.  Now is an exciting time to visit Watchtree as the ‘dog days’ of late summer should herald the larger dragonfly species, migrant Wheatears and hopefully (fingers crossed!) roosting Sand Martins.

Finally, with the success of our calendar this year, all budding photographers should submit their favourite ‘Watchtree’ pictures by the end of the first week in September so that next year’s calendar can be prepared.  Photos can be sent via email (jpeg) or by post to the address at the bottom of the page.

To book your copy of next year’s calendar, please contact the Nature Reserve Manager.

Dates for your Diary

August: Children’s summer holiday activities. Friday 22^nd August 1-3:30pm Outdoor arts, Tuesday 26^th August 1-3:30pm Scrubland and spiders.

August bank holiday opening times: Saturday 23^rd, Sunday 24^th and Monday 25^th, 10am – 4pm each day

Sunday 14^th September. Open day 10am – 4pm

Sunday 21^st September. Spider safari. 10:30am

Volunteer work parties every Wednesday at 10:30am. Groups may visit on request.

Contact: Tim Lawrence, Watchtree Nature Reserve, Nr Great Orton, Carlisle. Tel: 01228 712539 or Email:wnr@watchtree.co.uk.

 Website: www.watchtree.co.uk

Grey Partride  + 1 chick, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Blue, Great, Coal Tits, Robin, Buzzard, Kestrel, Little Grebe and 3 chicks, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Linnet, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, Curlew, Barn Owl, Crow, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Brown Hare, Stoat, Wood Mouse, Bank Vole, Field Vole, Common and Pygmy Shrew, Meadow Brown, Dingy Skipper, Ringlet, Small Copper, Four Spot Chaser, Emerald and Common Blue damselfly, Four-spot Chaser and Common Hawker dragonfly, Swift, House Martin and Swallow

Watchtree’s extensive meadows are once again looking their very best; a variety of grasses and herbs that together create a rich mosaic of colours, textures and aromas.  Sections of the southernmost meadows provide perhaps the best examples of typical lowland meadow, with Sweet Vernal Grass, Crested Dog’s-tail, Red Fescue, Tufted Hair-grass, Yorkshire Fog, Timothy and Meadow Foxtail, all common grasses.  Sweet Vernal grass, although largely unknown to many, is actually one of the key ingredients in producing the characteristic vanilla-like smell of recently mown hay!  Herbs are often harder to find amongst the taller grasses at this time of year but Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Ragged Robin, Ox-eye Daisy, Yarrow and occasionally Hay Rattle can be found.  Damp mornings (we’ve not had many recently!) often reveal the magical work of tiny ‘orb’ spiders, as acres of meadowland is literally covered in a continuous sheet of silk. Why not visit Watchtree in September and see the very best in spider behaviour with our ‘Spider safari’ on Sunday 21^st September at 10:30am.

This time of year is often the best time to catch a glimpse of a newly fledged chick or

immature frog, toad or newt.  A tiny Grey Partridge chick, probably just a few days old, was sighted at the reserve during mid June, whilst five juvenile Great Tits delighted everyone on a recent guided walk as they mischievously flew from perch to perch, hardly noticing the twenty or so human bystanders!.  The highlight so far this year, as indeed in previous years, has been the successful hatching of five Mute Swan cygnets.  Visitors can catch a glimpse of the swan family, currently situated on the northern most lake in front of the ‘old hide’.

Six schools have visited Watchtree during the previous two months including our Nature Club.  The young people have participated in everything from insect hunts, pond dipping, tree and plant surveys, art projects and even practical conservation such as tree guard removal and path maintenance – tasks normally carried out by our regular volunteer work parties.

If your school, youth group or community group wishes to visit this superb facility then please do not hesitate to contact the Nature Reserve manager to book an appointment.

Finally, as an alternative to the acetic acid currently used in the treatment of leachate, a new molasses tank has been installed in the treatment plant.  Molasses is a sustainable natural product with no health & safety implications, and a low carbon footprint, whereas acetic acid is a corrosive liquid which is produced from natural gas and has a high carbon footprint due to the manufacturing process.  The project is funded by DEFRA as part of its commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction.

Dates for your Diary

Thursday evening guided walks, every Thursday at 7pm until September

Sunday 20^th July Open day 10am – 4pm (Meadow flowers and grasses walk at 10:30am)

Thursday 7^th August. Bat Walk at 7pm

Sunday 24^th August. Open day 10am – 4pm

Volunteer work parties every Wednesday at 10:30am.

Contact: Tim Lawrence, Watchtree Nature Reserve, Nr Great Orton, Carlisle. Tel: 01228 712539 or Email:wnr@watchtree.co.uk.

 Website: www.watchtree.co.uk

The head of the page has a new image to reflect the educational function that Watchtree has.

There is a new link. This is to the Watchtree Blog which is publicly available and can be posted to upon registering as a user.

The slide show consists of around 50 images which appear in a random order.

The ‘check it out’ section will be updated with new events and features.

There is now an alert asking visitors to read the notice about planning a visit.