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Registered Charity No.1127029

With the warmer and longer days of spring now here, what better way to experience nature than a visit to one of the regions most fascinating nature reserves – Watchtree Nature Reserve. It’s not just the wildlife (more of this later) that makes Watchtree such a unique place to visit. The reserve has an interesting history – the name ‘Watchtree’ for example probably originated from the reputed ‘Watch trees’ once situated on the site – two tall trees used as look-outs for the many raids during the time of the Border Reivers. The name ‘Watchtree’ continued in the name of the farm located on what is now the nature reserve and which was farmed by Robert and Irene Timperon, both now Friends of Watchtree. The Second World War changed the local landscape forever and as the farm disappeared so a huge airfield was constructed which became known as RAF Great Orton (also known as RAF Wiggonby as seen on one local road sign!). Whilst the main runways are clearly evident to all visitors, smaller, interesting artefacts include dates inscribed into the concrete ‘11/08/1942′, ‘14/08/1942′ and so on every ten yards or so, indicating the rate at which the airfield was constructed. The RAF ceased to operate from Great Orton on the 15^th August 1952. Since then the land was used for farming, clay pigeon shooting, motor rallying, a wind turbine cluster (still present) and of course, in 2001, was used as a burial site during the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

Restoration and subsequent creation of habitats has continued right up to the present day and the visitor cannot fail to be impressed by the diversity of wildlife. A recent one-hour walk, stopping off at two bird hides, passing meadows, hedgerow, scrub and woodland, revealed the following species: Brown Hare (2), frog (3) Buzzard (6), Skylark (40+), Curlew (2), Oystercatcher (7), Tufted Duck, Mute Swan (2), Moorhen, Mallard (5), Stonechat (2), Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, Willow Tit, Dunnock, Song Thrush, Great spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel, Wren, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Robin (3) and numerous Great Tit, Blue Tit and Chaffinch. Visitors wishing to see these and many other species can visit during our regular guided walks and open days (see below or website www.watchtree.co.uk).

Construction of our new ‘Wheels for All’ cycle path is progressing steadily with the bulk of the work so far being undertaken by our regular volunteers – why not join them every Wednesday at 10:30am. It’s not every day you can learn something new whilst nature’s radio, (singing birds), plays alongside!

Other groups who have helped include the Carlisle branch of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) and students and work placements from both Wigton Youth Station and Caldew Secondary School. A big thank-you to everyone who has helped with this and other projects so far.

Dates for diary

Saturday 28^th March 10:30am – 4pm Open Day

Sunday 29^th March 10:30am – 4pm Open day

Thursdays (April-August) 7pm Guided Walks

Saturday 4^th April 10:30am Watchtree Volunteers

Saturday 11^th April 10:30am – 4pm Open Day

Monday 13^th April 10:30am – 4pm Open Day

Saturday 25^th April 10:30am – 4pm Open day

Sunday 26^th April 10:30am – 4pm Open Day

Volunteer work parties every Wednesday at 10:30am and first Saturday of the month. 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

Registered Charity No.1127029

Skylarks have been particularly vocal of late and a welcome sign that spring, and with it the arrival of breeding birds, spring flowers and boxing hares is just around the corner. Spring seemed a far away place when, at the beginning of February, snow covered much of Watchtree, and indeed much the surrounding area. Despite the cold, the beautiful snowy landscape created magical vistas throughout the nature reserve – the woodlands in particular resembling an enchanted place that only seems to appear on Christmas films or postcards!. On one particular morning every conceivable branch, twig, leaf, moss and fern was covered in snow. The snow also shows us how amazing and adaptable wildlife is: as we humans venture outdoors after wrapping ourselves in the latest technologically advanced clothing after sitting comfortably in centrally heated houses – Roe Deer, fox, Brown Hares, birds and numerous small mammals, (evidence in the form of prints in the snow!), must brave the elements to find foodÖto simply survive.

How do early spring displaying birds, the Skylark for example, cope with the Great British weather – snow one minute then mild, sunny weather the next? Literally just a few hours after snowfall these hardy open country birds are busy singing away as male birds begin to establish territories in readiness for breeding in just a few weeks time.

The Goldcrest. A bird often overlooked because of its small size, was also busy as somehow it darted throughout the tight, spiky gaps of the Gorse bush searching for invertebrates.

The first few sods of soil have been removed in readiness for the construction of our new dedicated cycle path. Again, our volunteers have been hard at work preparing surfaces and literally moving, the earth so as to make the main contractor-based work relatively straightforward. As always a big thank-you to all the volunteers who continue to make Watchtree such a great place to work and visit.

In the meantime a number of specially adapted cycles are available for use on Fridays only, ‘Watchtree Wheelers day’ on a strict booking basis. If persons or groups wish to use the bikes in a designated area of the reserve until the path is ready, please contact the Nature Reserve Manager to make a booking with as much notice as possible please.

A quick reminder that Watchtree will be open to the public during the final weekend of each month throughout the year and at other times as advertised on our website: www.watchtree.co.uk or in the local press. The reserve is generally open during the working week but visitors are advised to contact the Nature Reserve Manager before visiting, details at bottom of page.

Dates for diary

Saturday 28^th February 10:30am – 4pm Open Day

Sunday 1^st March 10:30am – 4pm Open day

Saturday 7^th March 10:30am – 1pm Watchtree Volunteers

Saturday 28^th March 10:30am – 4pm Open Day

Sunday 29^th March 10:30am – 4pm Open day

Thursdays (April-August) 7pm Guided Walks

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