Issue 15 SUMMER 2015 Coastal Access Bats in

This will significantly speed up the from Gretna to (100km), programme of work so that: began late last year. Planning the route can take some time as not Last Autumn, • People will be able to walk, only does it involve looking at many enjoy and better understand Bats are amazing, they are the only flying mammal and use a the Government different options for alignment of the the importance of our wild and announced the route on the ground, it also requires mixture of sight, sound, smell and echolocation to analyse their natural places walk around the meeting with a range of owners accelerated roll-out entire coastline of surroundings, finding food, water, other bats and shelter. of occupiers of land that might be much sooner; of the England affected; discussions with various • Benefits to local communities Coast Path (ECP) and interest groups and of course careful We are lucky to have 18 species Quick ID guide to a few of the • Fast and very agile flight low to the and economic opportunities will recorded in the UK and all are a commitment for consideration of the nature species found in Cumbria; ground about 1-6m high be realised more quickly. conservation sensitivities along protected species. We know that Pipistrelle • Found in dense woodland and funding to ensure that the coast. we have 8 of these species breeding Since the announcement, Natural in Cumbia including; Common and • Small bats (wingspan of 20-25cm occasionally over water by 2020 the path Work to date has been progressing England, the body responsible for Coprano Pipistrelle, Brown Long-eared, and weighing 3 – 8g) • Echolocation at around 50kHz and the associated delivering coastal access, has well, with many positive meetings Daubtenton, Natterer’s, Brandt’s and • Flying fast 5 metres or more above makes irregular clicking noises. been working closely with Cabinet held with individuals and local groups Noctule. In order to hear the distinctive coastal margin will the ground often flying in a figure of Daubenton’s Office and Defra to confirm the with an interest in this section of the echolocation call from bats you need a be completed. 8 pattern arrangements for that new timetable coast. It is hoped that if we continue bit of kit called a bat detector, you can • Small to medium sized bat and with the budget for coastal at our current rate of progress, we now pick one of those up for about £50 • Echolocation for common at 45kHz (24 – 28cm wingspan and 7 – 12g) access in 15/16 now confirmed, should meet our own timetable and it allows you to hear frequencies and soprano at 55kHz sounds a little • Fast flight sweeping up and down delivery of the England Coast Path which is to publish the report to that as humans we can’t hear. Bats like machine gun fire. across a stretch of water usually is now one of the top priorities for the Secretary of State by late 2015/ make a very distinct feeding buzz when Noctule only about 25cm above the surface Natural England. early 2016. they approach their food and it sounds • Britain’s largest bat (wingspan of 32 • Has a very pale tummy so during a lot like they are ‘blowing raspberries’! In England: – 40cm and weighing 18 – 40g) In Cumbria: a turn it is often possible to see a Across the country as a whole, by You can actually hear the social chatter • Flying very high, fast and usually pale flash A 30km section of the England Coast the end of March 2015 Natural of some bat species without the use very straight flight often along the Path in Cumbria is already open • Echolocation at 35 – 85kHz (most England had started work on more of special equipment but if you want edge of a woodland or line of trees between Allonby and , and often around 45-50kHz) sounds than 1000km of the coast and to hear the full range of echolocations but also seen in open pastures proposals for a further 70km of path submitted proposals covering 557km then you need a bat detector to listen very similar to pipistrelle calls. between Whitehaven and Silecroft • Echolocation at about 20kHz, a very to the Secretary of State (SoS) for to what’s around your garden or in your There are some bat walks being were submitted to the Secretary of local parks and open spaces. Each characteristic ‘chip chop’ noise. approval. Some 163km of path is run by the Solway Wetlands State late last year. We expect a bat species echolocates at a differ- Natterer’s already open to the public and Project so come along to find decision on that report to be made ent frequency so for example if you 4077ha of open access rights will • Medium sized (wingspan 25 – 30cm out more (www.solwaywetlands.org. in the next few months. had a detector set at 55kHz a soprano also have been delivered for the first and weighing 7 – 12g) uk/events). pipistrelle would be easily heard and at Work on developing proposals on a time over wider coastal areas along 45kHz a pipistrelle would still be picked third stretch of the Cumbria coast, the way. up by the detector but would sound very squeaky. Follow the link below to the coastal access pages on the gov.uk website that shows where we are already working; the stretches that are open; and If you ever find a bat on the ground or out during the day it may need your when we are likely to start work on stretches over the next five financial help. Please carefully pick it up (wear years. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path- strong leather gloves or similar and improving-public-access-to-the-coast don’t let it bite you) using either the box and card trick (using a box and carefully sliding a piece of card under it) or by placing a teacloth or towel over the bat and carefully picking it up and placing it in a box. Please make sure the box has very small holes so air can get in and a small plastic cap like a milk bottle top with a small amount of water which will allow the bat to drink without risking drowning. Once you have the bat secure call the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) helpline on 0345 1300 228. For more information please take a look at the BCT website; http://www.bats. org.uk/pages/help.html 2 3 The Local Community Making its Mark

News from the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Volunteer Coordinator and Community Volunteer Group

It is well known that being active and of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) being outdoors benefits our health, work goes on to improve the so why not join the Solway Coast condition of the dunes. This Community Volunteer Group. includes removing overgrown gorse, litter picking, invasive The Volunteer Coordinator, Graeme weed removal, scrub cutting Proud, and the AONB Community and boardwalk rewiring to prevent Volunteer Group work towards slips in the winter months. supporting and maintaining the Solway Coast AONB, giving their time, • The Volunteer Group also support and commitment to help monitors beach litter and so far protect this unique landscape. this year 4 litter picks have taken place from Allonby to with Over the years the volunteers have much enthusiasm even in the worked on many projects in and wildest of weathers. around the AONB, often teaming up with other volunteer groups to share • The small nature reserve at best working practice and forge new Carr requires work friendships on shared projects. such as boardwalk maintenance and rewiring, path tidying, seat Volunteer Activities varnishing, beck clearance, tree coppicing and general yearly Volunteers can also get involved in conservation network and work with Volunteers may be involved in the maintenance. It is open to visitors surveying wildlife, with regular bird professional people, whose job it is following: all year round and its location is and wildflower surveys and special to guarantee the future of special • Annual clearing of gorse, scrub and just off the B5300 (between Allonby natterjack toad surveys. places around the Solway Coast Area weeds from important historic sites and ) turning towards of Outstanding Natural Beauty It’s not all hard going though: the such as the Mediaeval Saltpans Crosscanonby village. volunteers and general public can If you are part of a group or near Crosscanonby and path clear- • Hedgelaying Training Days are enjoy guided walks, including bird interested in becoming a Volunteer ance to the Roman Milefort 21 also stewarded by the Volunteer watching, wildflower identification, and would like more information nearby on Swarthy Hill. Coordinator and a band of hardy history walks and healthy beach please contact our Volunteer • On and Wolsty Banks Site volunteers during February. strolls, as well as a Christmas Social Coordinator, Graeme Proud on and Summer BBQ. 016973 33055 or write to The Solway Coast AONB, Liddell Street, All work equipment and training is , CA7 4DD. provided for volunteers, for any of the Email: graeme.proud@.gov.uk events carried out.

There are now exciting times ahead for our Volunteer Group with new sites to Community Involvement work at, in partnership with the Solway Various local groups have also joined Wetlands Team. Particular sites of in with events and workdays, including interest are the internationally West House and business groups, important lowland raised mires who have all given time to help with including Wedholme Flow and practical projects and their help is Glasson Moss, and Finglandrigg much appreciated. Woods Nature Reserve. This is an opportunity for us all to visit, survey, Women’s Institute and work to protect and improve these have also continued to maintain the fantastic hidden gems. It is also an garden outside the Discovery Centre, opportunity to be part of a dedicated so that it is still blooming beautifully. 4 5 Cumbria has 41 of the UK’s 59 do go along to Finglandrigg NNR on butterfly species and most of them a dry day early in June and follow the Coastal Butterflies can be seen around the Cumbrian marked butterfly trail to the main site coastline. The Small Blue butterfly where you will see dozens of Marsh can only be found on our bit of the Fritillaries flying. coastline between and For other Butterfly Conservation Maryport although if we can Cumbria summer events just visit their strengthen the numbers on our core sites there are longer term plans to website – they have about 25 such extend its range both north and south. events and field trips. In the Maryport Another north Cumbrian speciality and Workington area new volunteer is the rare Marsh Fritillary which has groups have been formed (not just by been lost for many years elsewhere in Butterfly Conservation) to most of the UK. It became extinct in manage habitat for Small Blues the Cumbria in 2004 as well but thanks to UK’s smallest butterfly. One such Butterfly Conservation Cumbria and event is on 5th June to count Small various volunteer groups we now have Blues at Workington. Another event is 13 Reintroduced and thriving colonies on 29th July to do a general butter- of this lovely butterfly. fly walk and count. To find out more Mention of volunteers brings into about these and other events and thought ourselves in the Solway area. volunteering contact Emma Jenkinson One of the reintroduced colonies, on 01900 825215. For volunteering for in fact the one we make public is at Marsh Fritillary counting contact Steve Finglandrigg NNR near Kirkbride. Doyle on 01228 544059 One of our 2015 reintroductions is Enjoy Summer 2015 and please send another site in our area at Thornhill in your wildlife records to the Data SSSI meadows near so all Centre at Tullie House, . I can’t being well this lovely butterfly will be stress too much just how important it flying there this June. As we aim is to send in records. Without them we to strengthen the Solway would not be able to pinpoint trends metapopulation of Marsh Fritillary and if necessary do something about colonies we are currently managing habitat near , again in our it. It also helps planning authorities area and Solway AONB and Wetlands by identifying important wildlife sites Partnership volunteers have already which might otherwise be destroyed. helped with habitat management work there where an introduction is planned for April 2016. We can’t make the Steve Doyle Thornhill site a public access one but Butterfly Conservation Cumbria

Undergrounding for By removing the overhead lines and placing them underground the power Visual Amenity company is also providing the local area with a more reliable and efficient supply A £65,000 project to underground successfully replace the power lines of electricity as the new cables will not power lines along the Solway Coast with around 800m of underground be susceptible to bad weather and in Cumbria was completed in cable to improve views. strong winds. December 2014 Mike Dugdale, programme delivery The work completed, forms part of a The region’s power operator, manager for Electricity North West, £5.4m five-year project to replace lines Electricity North West removed seven said: “This latest project on the identified as being most visually intrusive electricity poles and 750m of overhead Solway Coast showcases our within the National Parks and Areas of power lines between Heatherbank and commitment to working closely and Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Mealo House near Allonby which have investing in the fantastic communities North West. been in place for more than 60 years. in which we operate’’. The company, which has already “We understand that power lines The AONB is pleased that even more removed 1.2km of overhead power can stand out and we work with power lines will continue to be removed lines in the area over the last year, AONBs and National Park Authorities from the Solway which will greatly worked alongside the Solway Coast to consider schemes that will enhance its beautiful coastline and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty successfully improve the visual results of the partnership working will be (AONB) and Natural England to appearance of an area.” enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. 6 7 Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme what's on Wildlife Taster Day: Grasses, Explore the wonderful world of these Landscape Photography on the Saturday’s activities will involve walks, Sedges and Rushes fantastic wetland insects with the Solway: Summer trails, traditional crafts, charcoal Sat 13 June, 10.30am - 3.30pm help of David Clarke from the British Sat 15 August, 10am – 4pm making, wildlife spotting, folk tales Dragonfly Society. The day is suitable and more. Bring a packed lunch if RSPB Campfield Marsh, RSPB Campfield Marsh, for complete beginners and novices you’re staying all day Saturday! Bowness-on-Solway, CA7 5AG Bowness-on-Solway, CA7 5AG alike, and is ideal for adults and older Free of charge, just turn up. Want to know your grasses from your young people interested in delving Join landscape photographer Steve Wild Food Foraging sedges? Spend the day at both deeper into the wildlife of the Solway. Blake for this full day workshop aimed Campfield Marsh and Finglandrigg Bring a packed lunch, a drink and at beginners and improvers. The Sat 26 Sept, 1pm – 4pm Wood National Nature Reserve to wear layers, a waterproof coat and session will focus on capturing the RSPB Campfield Marsh, build up some basic skills in the world wellies. The day involves both indoor stunning Solway landscape, and will Bowness-on-Solway, CA7 5AG of botany. The day is suitable for sessions and outdoor fieldwork. Free include some ‘classroom’ time as well Take an autumnal stroll on the Solway complete beginners and novices alike, of charge, booking is essential. as outdoor practical work. There will with local chef John Crouch and see and is ideal for adults and older young be some walking on wet or uneven what edible snacks you can find in people interested in delving deeper Wetland Discovery Day ground for up to 5km (3 miles). Dress the hedgerows. John will then into the wildlife of the Solway. Sun 19 July, 11am – 4pm for all weathers and bring a packed demonstrate how to cook up some Bring a packed lunch, a drink and wear RSPB Campfield Marsh, lunch and a camera. Free of charge, wild ingredients and turn them into layers, a waterproof coat and wellies. Bowness-on-Solway, CA7 5AG booking is essential. tasty treats! Free of charge, booking The day involves both indoor sessions Come and join us for a fun-filled day Dig for the Past on the Solway is essential. and outdoor fieldwork and will involve of wildlife discovery. Drop-in anytime car sharing to another site. Free of Monday 24 August to Apple Day between 11am and 4pm to take charge, booking is essential. Sunday 4 October part in lots of activities, including Sat 3 October, 10am – 3.30pm Get your hands dirty and discover Bats and Moths at pond dipping, a creepy crawly hunt, RSPB Campfield Marsh, 850 years of Hidden Solway heritage Finglandrigg Wood storytelling walks, crafts, bird bingo Bowness-on-Solway, CA7 5AG by getting involved in a real and bushcraft. Free of charge, just Come along and enjoy a day filled with Sat 13 June, 8.30pm start archaeological excavation. Grampus turn up. all types of apple madness. Have a go Finglandrigg Wood National Nature Heritage are leading a 6 week dig on juicing and pressing apples and learn Reserve, near , CA5 6JD Solway Nature Explorers a variety of sites on the the art of cider making. Find out about Join us for a fun evening walk looking Various dates in July and August looking at the impact of the Medieval the different types of apples and their for bats, moths and other woodland monastery of Holme Cultram Abbey in RSPB Campfield Marsh, uses. Free of charge, just turn up. creatures. Listen to bats with bat Bowness-on-Solway, CA7 5AG Abbeytown on the Solway Landscape. detectors and take a closer look at Hedgelaying Join us on a multi-day nature Call in anytime between 10am and some moths using a variety of traps adventure, exploring the Solway 4pm Sunday to Friday and chat to the Sat 24 Oct, 10am – 3.30pm and tricks. Free of charge, just turn up. Wetlands this summer school archaeologists or help with a few jobs Orton Moss, near Great Orton, Wild Food Foraging holidays! on site. Or get more involved by joining South of Kirkbampton in becoming a volunteer, no matter Sat 27 June, 1pm – 4pm Solway Nature Explorers is a nature Join expert Ed Kyrke to learn this how much or how little time you have themed adventure programme for ancient art from scratch or improve RSPB Campfield Marsh, on your hands. All ages and abilities young people aged 9 -14 where your skills while helping to conserve Bowness-on-Solway, CA7 5AG are welcome. participants have the opportunity to a traditional feature of the Solway Take a springtime stroll on the Solway explore their natural environment, Booking not required. Contact us for landscape. All tools will be provided with local chef John Crouch and see have adventures, lots of fun and more information about location and but bring warm, waterproof clothing what edible snacks you can find in the make new friends. The four day programme at info@solwaywetlands. you don’t mind getting dirty and a hedgerows. John will then demonstrate programme includes local minibus org.uk or on 016973 33055. packed lunch. Free of charge, booking how to cook up some wild ingredients pickup each day from , Woodland Weekender is essential. and turn them into tasty treats! Silloth, , Abbeytown, , Free of charge, booking is essential. Fri 4 Sept, 7pm start, Kirkbride and Carlisle. Sat 5 Sept, 10am – 4pm Wildlife Taster Day: Dragonflies Cost: £10 per 4 day week. Finglandrigg Wood National Nature and Damselflies. To register your interest in Solway Reserve, near Kirkbampton, CA5 6JD Nature Explorers and find out more Sat 11 July, 10.30am - 3.30pm please contact us at Kicking off with a “Batty about Bats” RSPB Campfield Marsh, [email protected] or night time walk around the woods on Bowness-on-Solway, CA7 5AG on 016973 33055. the Friday, join us for a celebration of all things woodland. With the help of Natural England and friends,

8 9 Spooky Solway Sat 31 Oct, 6.30pm start Booking and Finglandrigg Wood National Nature contacting us Reserve, near Kirkbampton, CA5 6JD Please get in touch with us to Dare you join the phantoms of book your place for an event and take a walk into the dark woods on the or if you have any questions: spookiest night of the year? Discover the [email protected] myths and legends of the Solway and the Telephone: 016973 33055 wildlife of the woods. Dressing up welcome. (Monday to Friday) Free of charge, booking is essential. Solway Wetlands Landscape Solway Hidden Heritage Forum Partnership Scheme, Solway Coast AONB, Liddell Street, Sat 7 Nov, 10am – 3.30pm Silloth, CA7 4DD Location to be confirmed Like us on Facebook at A whole day of talks, walks and workshops Solway Wetlands, and celebrating the rich history and archaeology follow us on Twitter of the Solway. See www.solwaywetlands. @SolwayWetlands to keep org.uk for the full programme and up with all the news! location details. Lunch will be provided. We recommend that you Free of charge, booking is essential. check the website for any Landscape Photography on event details changes. Look the Solway: Autumn out for extra events arranged Sat 14 Nov, 10am – 4pm later in the year- these will all be posted on the website. RSPB Campfield Marsh, Bowness-on-Solway, CA7 5AG Cancellation of events: Join landscape photographer Steve Circumstances beyond our Blake for this full day workshop aimed at control may lead to an event The Ellenwise Project beginners and improvers. The session will cancellation. We recommend focus on capturing the stunning Solway that you check beforehand landscape, and will include some that the event is still going ‘classroom’ time as well as outdoor ahead if you have to make a practical work. There will be some walking special trip. on wet or uneven ground for up to 5km Equipment: West Cumbria Rivers Trust is delivering (3 miles). Dress for all weathers and bring Please dress appropriately a packed lunch and a camera. Free of the pilot scheme for United Utilities for the activity. For outdoor charge, booking is essential. events, we recommend ‘Catchment Wise’ programme in Create an Orchard wellies or walking boots, partnership with the Environment Agency Sat 21 Nov, 10am – 3.30pm waterproofs and clothing layers. Sunscreen, a hat and and supported by Natural England. Kirkbride area: location to be confirmed insect repellent is useful in the Join expert Ed Kyrke for this practical day summer. We recommend that The project aims to achieve a sustained reduction in learning how to create your own orchard or you bring drinking water and phosphorus going into streams, to contribute to the manage the fruit trees in your garden. Bring any snacks that you achievement of Water Framework Directive ‘good status’ a packed lunch. Free of charge, booking is may need. essential. and reduce bacteriological inputs to streams to improve Logistics: Christmas from Nature bathing water quality. Children are welcome, but Sat 28 Nov, 11am – 12.30pm & under 16’s must be Focusing on the Crookhurst catchment which flows 1.30pm-3pm accompanied by an adult. from above Aspatria to the sea at Allonby, this project Then by offering part funding the Ellenwise project is RSPB Campfield Marsh, Due to the nature of these involves working with farmers to tackle diffuse water helping to improve farm infrastructure to reduce Bowness-on-Solway, CA7 5AG events, unfortunately dogs pollution from agriculture. By visiting most of the pollution reaching the river and the bathing waters Join local forager John Crouch on a walk are not permitted. Please be farmers in the area we have been able to discuss aware that many of these potential pathways which pollutants, especially nutrients along the coast. For example putting hardcore in the and workshop to find natural resources and cattle pens shown below has stopped soil and muck use them to create your own Christmas and events take place in remote and faecal indicator organisms, can enter watercourses running down the hill towards the beck. winter themed decorations. Come to one locations with no toilet and offer advice on how to reduce this. facilities on site. or both of these 1.5 hour long workshops. Free of charge, booking is essential. For more information about the Ellenwise project or the other work of West Cumbria Rivers Trust please visit www.westcumbriariverstrust.org (Rosie Law) 10 11

tentacles, predatory ragworms complicated living mix of animals Imagining the ‘Undersea’ and crabs hunting amongst the and seaweeds, both large and pebbles, even starfish prising planktonic, it supports. in open mussels. So, even though our shorewalks On a shorewalk, even at low tide, show us only an hour or so in the you are looking at things in three lives of animals that are waiting for Ann Lingard dimensions, observing animals the tide to come in, that’s another – mostly quiescent – as a reason why it’s fun to go down to the shore. And when we wander Presenter Caz Graham and snapshot in time. Try to imagine job-description – ‘low-tide guide’. back along the tidelines on the upper Back in April, BBC producer Martyn Poyntz-Roberts the ‘undersea’ by adding in the shore, who knows what ‘treasures’ of Radio 4’s Open Country joined me for a shorewalk at Allonby Bay, part of the Solway dimension of time: imagine the Coast AONB, is currently under con- former existences we’ll find! recorded pieces for a Point. waves creeping or thundering in sideration by DEFRA, as a and covering the Sabellaria My programme of informal (You can ‘listen again’ on BBC iPlayer programme called The Marine Conservation Zone. Why? reefs, imagine the deep guided shore-walks, in – just search for Open Country and Solway Coast: Ex-miner column of water above the and The Solway Coast.) Because it’s home to a fascinating Tom Norman talked about collection of marine animals, the animals amongst Allonby areas, has The three of us spent a couple of partly due to the rather special Sa- Heart-urchin skeletons from the tideline the reefs, bringing now started: the former collieries at hours on the shore down at low-tide bellaria reefs. The strangely sculp- prey and other there are full details Whitehaven, and Mark mark, finding all kinds of animals and tural mounds and turrets of the reefs particles of food – – the where, when, animal-tracks, examining the ‘sand Messenger and Mark trap water, and animals that would and predators. and what to wear coral’ – the reefs made of cemented normally live lower down the shore – Imagine the tide - at www.solway- Graham, at Bowness on sand-grain tubes built by the shorestories.co.uk, so would rarely be seen by us – find going out again, honeycomb worm, Sabellaria – and you do need to the Inner Solway, talked places to live in the new pools higher leaving the shore and generally having a very reserve a place: about haaf-netting and up the shore: two types of sponge, exposed to the drying entertaining time, with the bonus of starfish, burrowing Dahlia anemo- phone me on the probable impact of wind and sun. And this warm Spring sunshine (a few days nes, even ‘baked bean tunicates’ 016973 21967 or email happens twice a day, the Dahlia anemone, the new quotas. later it was snowing!). ... And once you know what to look disguising itself [email protected] amount of water – the for, you can begin to imagine how with shell fragments Caz remarked that she felt like a child speed and the height of (© Ann Lingard) I also blog about the Solway much activity goes on when the tide again, paddling through pools in her the tide – varying coast (both English and Scottish is in – barnacles kicking their legs to wellies. And I was delighted to see, throughout each month. sides) at www.solwayshorewalker. on the description for the subsequent feed, anemones and tube-dwelling wordpress.com – and there are programme, that I had a new worms pushing out their crowns of Two sorts of sponge, Sabellaria tubes and By imagining this, you can begin frequently updated tweets with ‘baked-bean’ tunicates (© Ann Lingard) to ‘see the undersea’ and the photos at twitter.com/solwaywalker

Honeycomb-worm reef at Allonby (© Ann Lingard) 12 13 14 Get Involved! AONB Solway Coast around the events inand A Selectionof

What’sIN THE SOLWAY COASTon MAWBRAY BANKS INVASIVE WEED REMOVAL TUESDAY 2NDJUNE & ACTIVITIES AONB EVENTS Coordinator. Thewalk Proud, Volunteer walk withGraeme fascinating guided at 10.30am,fora Grune CarPark 10.15am, orthe Centre inSillothat Meet attheDiscovery GRUNE POINT AND BIRD WALK ON GUIDED NATTERJACK TOAD FRIDAY 12thJUNE lunch andsuitableclothing. will beprovided. Pleasebringapacked Park offtheB5300at10.30am,alltools meet atCrosscanonby Carr ReserveCar who wishtoassistwiththistaskshould around thehistoricMilefortlet area. All clearance andweedremoval inand We willbecarryingon withthescrub AND SCRUBREMOVAL MILEFORTLET PATH: GORSE WEDNESDAY 10THJUNE suitable clothing. All toolswillbeprovided. Please wear kidney vetchalongtheduneshere. hopefully plantsomelocallysourced Park at10.30am.We will surveyand Meet atWolsty Banks RoadEndCar PLANTING AT WOLSTY BANKS KIDNEY VETCH SURVEY AND FRIDAY 5THJUNE the B5300at10.30am. Meet atMawbrayYard CarParkoff packed lunch. suitable clothingandfootweara other equipmentneeded.Pleasebring available, gloves,eyeprotectors and There willbeindividualweedwipes Willow Herb. better. Target specieswillbeRosebay wildflowers cancompeteandsurvive in order thatthenaturalgrassesand invasive weedsonthedunegrasslands We are hopingtoremove certain JUNE MAWBRAY BANKS INVASIVE WEED REMOVAL WEDNESDAY 24THJUNE packed lunch. wear suitableclothingandbringa equipment willbeprovided butplease offtoNewtown).All opposite theturn (just offtheB5300onseaward side Meet atNewtownRoadEndCarPark two hoursandcommencesat10.30am. The project willlastforapproximately achieved withalittleworkfrom usall. dunes andthiscanbequiteeasily it istoimprove ourbeachesandsand We are allwellaware ofhowimportant in onanenvironment awareness day. opportunity toencourageafriendjoin Car Park.Thisproject givesusallthe at thebeachNewtownRoadEnd This litterpickingeventwilltakeplace PICKING EVENT BRING A FRIENDLITTER WEDNESDAY 17THJUNE Come alongand joininwiththisevent. achieved witha littleworkfrom usall. dunes andthiscanbequiteeasily it istoimprove ourbeachesandsand We are allwellaware ofhowimportant AT ALLONBY BIG BEACH CLEAN-UP FRIDAY 3THJULY the B5300at10.30am. Meet atMawbrayYard CarParkoff packed lunch. suitable clothingandfootweara other equipmentneeded.Pleasebring available, gloves,eyeprotectors and There willbeindividualweed wipes Willow Herb,someRagwort,andthistle. better. Target specieswillbeRosebay wildflowers cancompeteandsurvive in order thatthenaturalgrasses and invasive weedsonthedunegrasslands We are hopingtoremove certain refreshment. so pleasebringsuitablefootwearand will beabout2-3hoursinduration JULY is uneven. lunch. Thewalk willbeabout2-3hoursand someground wear suitableclothingandfootwear andbringapacked teaming wildlifethatlivesinthe SolwayMosses.Please a fascinatingwalkthrough thereserve, lookingatthe at10.30am,nearBownessonSolway,Barn wewill lead Meeting atthecarparkoutside thenewWetlands Centre MARSH (RSPBReserve) CIRCULAR GUIDED WALK ONCAMPFIELD WEDNESDAY 22NDJULY (opposite Wolsty off)at10.30am. turn Meet atWolsty RoadEndCarParkofftheB5300 a packedlunch. needed. Pleasebringsuitableclothingandfootwear available, gloves,eyeprotectors andotherequipment Ragwort, andthistle.There willbeindividualweedwipes Target specieswillbe RosebayWillowHerb,some wildflowers cancompeteandsurvivebetter. dune grasslandsinorder that thenaturalgrassesand We are hopingtoremove certaininvasiveweedsonthe INVASIVE WEED REMOVAL WOLSTY BANKS THURSDAY 16THJULY RESTORATION WORK. CROSSCANONBY SALT PANS: FRIDAY 10THJULY packed lunch.Roughterrain. 1.00pm. Pleasewearsuitableclothingandbringa gear. Ampleparking.Meetat10.30amandfinish roughly Ref:NY238538. Bringlunch,welliesandwetweather Park, ontheroad betweenWigtonandKirkbride.Grid National Nature Reserve.MeetatWedholme Flow Car We willexplore thepeatlandwildlifeofthisremarkable WANDER ON WEDHOLME TUESDAY 7THJULY mately twohoursandcommencesat10.30am. clothing andfootwear. Theproject willlastforapproxi- All equipmentwillbeprovided, butpleasewearsuitable Allonby. We willbelitterpickingtowards DubmillPoint. Meet attheCarParkoppositeTwentyman’s shopin lunch andsuitableclothing. provided. Pleasebringapacked at 10.30am,alltoolswillbe Reserve CarParkofftheB5300 meet atCrosscanonby Carr to assistwiththistaskshould salt pansarea. Allwhowish moval inandaround thehistoric scrub clearanceandweedre - We willbecarryingon withthe able footwearandrefreshment. will beabout2-3hoursindurationsopleasebringsuit- walk withGraemeProud, Volunteer Coordinator. Thewalk the GruneCarParkat10.30am,forafascinatingguided Meet attheDiscoveryCentre inSillothat10.15am,oron GRUNE POINT BIRD AND NATTERJACK SURVEY THURSDAY 3RDSEPTEMBER please bringapackedlunchandsuitableclothing. Park offtheB5300.Alltoolswillbeprovided, Please meetonsiteat10.30amortheReserveCar allows thewildlifetoflourishinthisspecialsmall reserve. will becarryingouthaymakingofthecutgrasswhich As partofourongoingmanagementthisReservewe CARR NATURE RESERVE HAY MAKING AT CROSSCANONBY FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST please bringapackedlunchandsuitableclothing. Car ParkofftheB5300.Alltoolswillbeprovided, Please meetonsiteat10.30amortheReserve allows thewildlifetoflourishinthisspecialsmall reserve. will becarryingouthaymakingofthecutgrasswhich As partofourongoingmanagementthisReservewe CARR NATURE RESERVE HAY MAKING AT CROSSCANONBY WEDNESAY 5th AUGUST packed lunchandsuitableclothing. 10.30am, alltoolswillbeprovided. Pleasebringa at Crosscanonby RoadEndCarParkontheB5300at area. Allwhowishtoassistwiththistaskshouldmeet weed removal inandaround thehistoricMilefortlet We willbecarryingonwiththescrubclearanceand SCRUB REMOVAL MILEFORTLET PATH GORSE AND TUESDAY 28THJULY AUGUST email: [email protected] Tel: 01697333055askforGraeme Proudor WALK TO BOOK A PLACE. SO PLEASEPHONE THE DAY BEFORE THE TAKE PLACE IF THREE ORMOREPEOPLE ATTEND, PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT WALKS WILL ONLY organised by oronbehalfofthe AONB. any otherpersonwhilst takingpartinany activities responsibility forany injuriesorlossesincurredby and activities ontheirbehalfcannotacceptany NB: AONB Officersandthose who lead walks 15 All photographs by kind permission of Countryside Agency/Charlie Hedley, Rose Wolfe, Brian Irving (HELM Images), Graeme Proud, Natural England, Electricity North West, Ann Lingard, Danny Moores (NE), Gerry Rusbridge (NE), Norman Holton (RSPB), Nikki Wingfield (Sustrans), Rosie Law (West Cumbria Rivers Trust) and Steve Doyle (Butterfly Conservation Cumbria).