Registered Charity No.1127029
The landscape at Watchtree has undergone significant changes in recent decades. The effects are most obvious above ground – the construction of a Second World War Airfield, (RAF Great Orton), built in 1942 meant the end of the then Watchtree Farm – known locally as ‘Watchtree House’. More recently, wind turbines were constructed during the early 1990’s and then, most notably in 2001, the site changed forever when the site was used to bury animals during the Foot and Mouth crisis. But what about changes below ground and the effects these have had on the present day landscape and the land managers trying to manage it? It would not be unreasonable to suggest that the ‘land’ – the soils and upper geological layers to be more precise – have undergone tremendous change, particularly since 2001, as huge numbers of plant (machinery) churned over and modified the soil layers.
Pre-2001 the original geological profile would have consisted of mudstones and siltstones, (the Lias group), formed from the late Triassic to early Jurassic period which are approximately 5-6m below the surface. These were overlain by deposits of glacial ’till’ following the most recent ice age retreat approximately 10,000 years ago and consist of varying bands and mixtures of clay, sand and gravel. Today however, the soil is essentially a hard ‘mix’ of everything – compacted by the immense weight of so many plant which inhibited good drainage – crucial for the target meadow grasses and herbs we are trying to encourage!
Today Watchtree Nature Reserve Ltd are undertaking a number of initiatives to enhance the soils and so make them more suitable for biodiversity: Our smaller meadows are being ploughed over and reseeded – so creating the optimum habitat for the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, a species which recently almost became extinct in Cumbria! Many areas of grassland will also be ‘flat-lifted’ – a technique whereby special tractor mounted ‘tines’ and discs are dragged through the soil thereby breaking the hard ‘pan’ so encouraging drainage. We hope to also create additional lowland hay meadows in Area 4d – a small field which has, up to now, not been managed for nature conservation purposes. Fortunately there are still abundant areas of quality grassland that provide great habitat for biodiversity – thereby offering something for wildlife and the visitor. Why not visit Watchtree and see for yourself the amazing biodiversity we have on the reserve?
Watchtree held a number of activities for young people during the summer holidays, (remember all those wet days!), including bird nest box making, arts and crafts and story- telling trails. Teachers and schools wishing to visit this superb nature reserve during term time should contact the Nature Reserve Manager who will be able to organise a range of activities and sessions ranging from National Curriculum based sessions to more general pond dipping, habitat studies, mini-beast safaris, orienteering and bird identification sessions. Those schools and youth organisations intending to focus on longer-term projects may wish to participate in the John Muir Award and follow in the footsteps of the legendary John Muir, arguably the greatest conservationist of the past century.
Finally, our stunning 2010 Calendar will soon be available for purchase, please contact Watchtree for more information.
Dates for your diary
Saturday 3rd October: 10:30am Watchtree Volunteer work party
Saturday 31st October: 10:30am – 4:30pm Open Day
Sunday 1st November: 10:30am – 4pm Open day
Saturday 7th November: 10:30am Watchtree Volunteer work party
See our website for other events later in the year!
Volunteer work parties every Wednesday at 10:30am. Groups and schools 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