blog-tree

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

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

Thursday 1^st January 11am – 3pm Bank Holiday Open Day

Saturday 31^st January 11am – 3pm Open Day

Sunday 1^st February 11am – 3pm Open Day

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

Saturday 28^th 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

A not for profit company

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:

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 etcÖand 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 andÖeveryone’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.