A not for profit company
During November filming for a new young persons’ DVD took place at Watchtree Nature Reserve. Starring young people from Wiggonby and Great Orton Junior Schools, and older students from Caldew Secondary, the new DVD highlights the reserve’s rich history in addition to promoting the main educational and academic subjects covered at the reserve. Presented by Watchtree’s very own wildlife! – Harriet the Hare, Vicky the Fox, Athena the Owl and Penelope the Mallard, the new DVD will hopefully become a popular and entertaining introduction for all young people (and no doubt adults) visiting Watchtree Nature Reserve.
The new DVD should be ready for release in the New Year with an option to view the complete version on Watchtree’s very own website: www.watchtree.co.uk
Also during November, and on the same day, Watchtree officially opened its second public bird hide and filmed the scenes for our People’s Millions funding bid, recently highlighted on ITV Border TV. Tim Backshall, leading news presenter on ITV Border ‘Lookaround’, was involved with both projects and Watchtree Nature Reserve Ltd would like to thank Tim and his team for their enthusiasm and efforts on the day.
If Watchtree is successful in securing additional funds, new access paths will be installed enabling disadvantaged and disabled persons to use specially adapted cycles at the nature reserve. The new ‘Watchtree Wheelers’ project will be officially opened during spring 2009, watch this space!
Despite the shorter daylight hours, and, let’s face it, miserable weather of late, wildlife continues to flourish at Watchtree. Stonechats, breeding birds at Watchtree during the spring, are now endlessly searching for food amongst hedgerows and gorse bushes. Meadow Pipit, various members of the Tit family, Goldfinch, Wren, Dunnock and Robins, in addition to Hares, hedgehogs and small mammals, are usually in close vicinity to hedgerows at this time of year – highlighting the importance of this habitat and landscape feature.
Despite the grim weather, temperatures during winter remain relatively warm compared to many other northern European countries. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, many birds make the journey to the UK to escape the harsh continental winters including Snipe, Goldeneye, Teal, Golden Plover, Lapwing and many smaller woodland species including the Robin and various Tits amongst others.
Dates for diary
Sunday 28th December 11:30am. ‘Walk off the Christmas Pudding’ walk
Thursday 1st January 11am – 3pm Bank Holiday Open Day
Saturday 31st January 11am – 3pm Open Day
Sunday 1st February 11am – 3pm Open Day
Saturday 7th February 10:30am – 1pm Watchtree Volunteers
Saturday 28th February 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