The weather was lovely and we had 25 people who came to see the spectacular spring flowers on the annual bluebell walk.
Bluebell Walk
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Category Archives: Projects
Wetherby U3A visit to Ox Close Wood
Wetherby U3A wildlife group visited Ox Close at the end of April. They were treated to the spring flowers and learnt about the management work undertaken in the wood.
Bluebell Walk Wednesday 1st May
Come and enjoy the beautiful bluebells in Ox Close Wood.
Meet at Crabtree Lane car park at 7pm.
All welcome.
Elliker Family Work Party Update
We had a great family work party last Sunday and even had some sunshine after a rainy start. We planted over 200 hazel saplings in the newly coppiced areas which will be a source of early pollen and provide cover.
It was lovely to see such a range of ages working together and we’d like to thank everyone who joined us.
Family Day in Elliker Wood on Sunday 17th March 10.30am
Please join us for a BBQ, to plant trees and join in the children’s events.
We will be planting a variety of trees into our newly coppiced area in Elliker Wood.
Please bring a spade if you have one and food for the barbecue.
The entrance to Elliker Wood is next to 21 The Paddock, in East Keswick.
Hope to see you there.
Finally Completed
We have completed the French drain down Fitts Lane. Work on the drain had to be extended by difficulties in sourcing hardcore and by periods of wet weather which meant that it was impossible to transport any hardcore down the lane to fill the ditch.
The photo shows the last tonne of nearly 100 tonnes of limestone hardcore being tipped into the drain; covering the drainage pipe.
The drain feeds into a pond which we hope will be a habitat for aquatic plants and animals.
The drain itself is fed by a number of small springs from the field above. This ground water is relatively warm (the basis for ground source heat pumps for central heating) and it was noticeable that during recent freezing conditions the pond was frozen only around its edges!
Bardsey Small Mammal Survey
This weekend we were joined by Ann and Robert from the Yorkshire Mammal Group to lay 50 humane mammal traps in Bardsey Field. We laid the traps on Saturday afternoon, making sure that any mammals caught had a cosy bed for the night and plenty of food. We then returned on Sunday morning to empty the traps, record and weigh the mammals and then release them safely. The weather was glorious and the event was very well attended. It was lovely to see the children lay the traps and then return the following day, remembering exactly where they were and so excited to see what was inside.
We recorded 1 common shrew, 1 field vole, 1 bank vole and 18 wood mice.
Family Event at Bardsey Fields
We hope you can join us on Saturday 21st October at 4pm when we will meet the Yorkshire Mammal Group to put out 50-100 humane mammal traps. We will then meet again at 9.30am on Sunday 22nd to record, weigh and release them. We will be meeting outside Bardsey School on Woodacre Lane.
This event is suitable for all ages to attend one or both sessions – a great family event. Please bring stout footwear/wellies as the long grass will be wet. If you would like any more information, please email info@ekwt.org.uk
Bardsey Green Fair
East Keswick Wildlife Trust will be at the Green Fair on Saturday 9th September in Bardsey Churchyard from 1-4pm. Come along to learn about our local nature reserves and have your say on the newly acquired Bardsey Fields.
The Yorkshire Dales River Trust is loaning their table-top Sustainable Drainage Village for children to mimic rainfall and see where it goes!
We hope you can come along and help bring our communities together. There is a very varied programme of eco activities, stalls and refreshments.
Creating links with the Village Hall
The Wildlife Trust is excited to hear that East Keswick Village Hall’s offer for the Illingworth Field, which lies directly behind the Village Hall’s garden, has been accepted.
The Village Hall has our full support in acquiring the Illingworth Field. We believe it will contribute to protecting, improving and extending existing local multifunctional green corridors. It will enable an increase in connectivity to the existing local habitat network, including the Ellikers nature reserve to the north of Illingworth Field, and offer the potential for wider links around the parish and beyond.
East Keswick Wildlife Trust is committed to working with the Village Hall to preserve this green space and create opportunities for the local community and visitors to learn and play a central role in working with nature to address the causes and consequences of climate change.
Peter Guildford and David Wort from the Village Hall committee meet David Smith, Chairman of East Keswick Wildlife Trust, to discuss plans to improve biodiversity on the land behind the Village Hall.