Wildlife Trust

Newsletter Inclusive Volunteering SUMMER 2008

COATHAM MARSH Marsh is a prime target for Mink predating on nesting birds and their eggs. To combat this a number of Mink rafts have been set in the areas most likely to be frequented by Mink, as they move around the site hunting for food. The idea is not to trap the animals, but rather to confirm their presence by using pads of clay at the base of an artificial tunnel. The Mink, being inquisitive, will normally pass through a trap like this rather than around it; leaving their footprints for us to detect. Local volunteer Mal Liddell agreed to check the rafts on a weekly basis and in June found the signs we were looking for. Efforts can now be made to remove the animal humanely and protect the delicate wildfowl Kenny Crooks leading Monday volunteers in the proper placing habitats that define the character of Coatham of Mink rafts. Marsh. PORTRACK MARSH Portrack Marsh has recently been the location of a butterfly survey. Despite a fairly stiff breeze we were fortunate enough to spot a number of Blues, Orange Tips, Green-veined Whites and a Small Skipper. There have also been efforts to remove the Giant Hogweed that threatens to overtake the southern corner of the site. Hopefully a yearly cull will gradually knock back this rampant beast of a plant. Plans are afoot to renovate one of the spoil heaps that flank the disused railway path that runs along the back of the reserve. It is intended that a viewing area be created atop this mound with good views over the whole of the site. This project shall be run in conjunction with Becky Stanley and her Wild Rangers team, Inclusive Volunteering and the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust works team headed by Neil Porritt. Regular litter picking is also a feature of this site, which suffers from fly- tipping and general littering.

Protecting Small Skipper Oxeye Daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare) Wildlife for (Thymelicus beside the disused railway line path. the Future sylvestris) Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, Margrove Heritage Centre, Margrove Park, , TS12 3BZ. Tel: 01287 636382 Fax: 01287 636383 Email: [email protected] Registered Charity No: 511068 Tees Valley Wildlife Trust Inclusive Volunteering

MAZE PARK At Maze Park we have also conducted a butterfly survey and strimmed the path edges. The survey revealed that Common Blue are by far the most frequently spotted as their caterpillars feed on Bird’s- Foot Trefoil, which is also prevalent on the site. You will also see Orange Tip’s, Green-veined White and Wall. The survey was conducted on a fairly breezy day and this may explain why some of the larger butterfly’s were not visible. There is a Giant Hogweed problem here too and efforts are being made to stop it spreading. If you see Giant Hogweed on any of our sites (and you can hardly miss it) please let me know. Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) surveying the Tees. BREWSDALE In the past few weeks, with the intermittently warm and wet weather, Brewsdale has experienced a massive burst of growth. This has lead to near impassable paths, even where strimming has occurred not long before. I am happy to say that due to the efforts of (primarily) the Tuesday team we are nearly on top of it again; though I doubt the strimmers will be out of action for long.

Also at Brewsdale we have devoted some time to removing tree guards from the plantation at the top of the site. This is much appreciated by the site owner—Robert Campbell.

Other tasks have included the installation of a culvert to divert water away from the main path and the digging of a shallow scrape to entice invertebrates. The culvert has been partially successful, but may need some further work. The scrape is holding water and shall require at least a year to settle down. SALTBURN GILL The scrape at Brewsdale. There have been only a few opportunities to visit the Gill in recent months, but activities such as restricting the growth of young sycamores, removing a piece of damaged fence and installing a number of bird boxes, have all been carried out. These and future tasks have been facilitated in partnership with Naomi Dillon ( and Cleveland Countryside Access Officer).

Protecting Wildlife for Peacock butterfly (Inachis io) the Future Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, Margrove Heritage Centre, Margrove Park, Boosbeck, TS12 3BZ. Tel: 01287 636382 Fax: 01287 636383 Email: [email protected] Registered Charity No: 511068 Tees Valley Wildlife Trust Inclusive Volunteering

GRAVEL HOLE Inclusive Volunteering teams have yet to work at Gravel Hole, but having had the opportunity to look round the site myself I can thoroughly recommend a visit. The Common Spotted and Fragrant Orchid are out in full, blooming amongst Yellow Rattle, Kidney Vetch and Oxeye Daisy.

THE HOWLS The Howls is another site that the Inclusive Volunteering teams have not visited, but shall be in the coming months. The site consists of a wooded valley with a system of shallow streams, located just outside the historic village of Dalton Piercy (off the A19). It has a great deal of potential and opportunities for a number of interesting tasks. BOWESFIELD Bowesfield has recently been the scene of a fairly comprehensive attack on Giant Hogweed which threatens to overtake the site. It is hoped that yearly management of this invasive species will help to reduce its Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza impact. If you spot Giant Hogweed on any fuchsii) of our reserves, please let me know. CATTERSTY GILL In early May the team from the Hutton Unit cleared the top field of hawthorn scrub which has been gradually consuming the grassland. This form of management helps to keep the lime-rich grassland open for wildflowers such as the Early Purple Orchid. Later in the summer we shall be removing some of the Bracken which is filling the valley sides.

Alan, Mal and Steven—Just making sure the bench is still in good Bracken (Pteridium working order! aquilinum)

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) spotted by Mike Herring on a Butterfly walk through Portrack Marsh.

Protecting Wildlife for the Future Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, Margrove Heritage Centre, Margrove Park, Boosbeck, TS12 3BZ. Tel: 01287 636382 Fax: 01287 636383 Email: [email protected] Registered Charity No: 511068 Tees Valley Wildlife Trust Inclusive Volunteering SPRING/SUMMER WORKPLAN

Here is the work plan as it stands at the moment. I am afraid that it will remain open to revision due to weather and other unforeseeable factors. If you currently volunteer with us, thank you for all your help and I will contact you in the usual way. If you wish to become a Wildlife Trust volunteer, please get in touch and we will send you an information pack. See you all soon.

Dan van den Toorn (Reserves Officer) Mobile: 07713985446 E-mail: [email protected]

Protecting Due to the requirements of the Hutton Unit, Thursdays will only be open to volunteers after prior agreement with the Reserves Wildlife for Officer. the Future Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, Margrove Heritage Centre, Margrove Park, Boosbeck, TS12 3BZ. Tel: 01287 636382 Fax: 01287 636383 Email: [email protected] Registered Charity No: 511068