Wildlife Highlights 2019–20

Protecting wildlife for the Future Taken as a whole, 2019-2020 has been a good year for Wildlife Trust in spite of the unprecedented levels of crisis and uncertainty that emerged in 2020. The global Covid-19 pandemic Wildlife habitats restored cast a dark shadow over the end of the year; bringing huge concern about the health and wellbeing of our members, volunteers and staff , let alone fears about the wider impacts on the county’s wildlife. We’re deeply concerned about the impacts of this dreadful virus on all of our members and supporters across of pollinator habitat Cumbria and beyond, particularly for those who have suff ered. We sincerely hope people have come through the 356,900 m restored or created on experience with at least some positive outcomes. 200 8 community sites trees planted at Eyco Hill Nature Reserve The pandemic has also had a major impact on the Trust’s planned activity, and as we went into lockdown, we adapted rapidly to the situation and were as agile as possible, given the size of our organisation and the level of resources of pollinator available to us. Within a ma er of a week in March, we transformed from an offi ce and site-based charity to one Major hedge laying for all the boundary which had more than 55% of our staff on furlough, with the remainder of staff working productively from home. 310,000m habitat hedges started at Waitby Greenriggs Nature Reserve restored or created on 45roadside We owe a huge debt of thanks to all of our trustees, volunteers and staff for their hard work and commitment to our verge locations cause during this exceptionally diffi cult period.

We are especially grateful to all of our members and supporters for your amazing support for wildlife in Cumbria in these diffi cult times. Thank you. 4,660 PLANTED 2.5 km of upland wetlands restored, plug plants BY volunteers tonnes of With the tumultuous events of the year, it is hard to cast our minds back to the pre-coronavirus world and the 131 locking in carbon fantastic achievements we have delivered together on behalf of wildlife in Cumbria during 2019. But, as the details in 843 this report clearly demonstrate, we’re having a signifi cant impact and making a real diff erence for people and wildlife in our wonderful county. 199,000 m of meadows It was great news that the transfer of Bowberhead Farm was fi nally completed at the end of the year. This is part of restored across 15 meadows in Wildlife habitats cared for one of the most important areas for wildfl ower-rich meadows in the North of so we’re all thrilled that their 13 locations future is now secured by the Trust’s stewardship and protection.

We’re delighted by the success of the fi rst phase of the recovery of Eyco Hill. In February we held a highly successful and well-a ended conference which celebrated the amazing fi ve-year Lo ery-funded project and looked ahead to the 26,000m of heathland was 38 way in which nature can help solve some of the big challenges that face the uplands as we leave the European Union. restored at Eyco Hill Nature Reserve 3,844 nature km This has been a challenging year for the Trust and wildlife in Cumbria but we look forward with your continued using 2,400 common heather, reserves cared for support to 2021, and we are confi dent that we can bring our wildlife back to this amazing county. you can visit bilberry, bell heather and David Sharrod, Chair, and Stephen Tro er, CEO Habitats conserved include limestone grassland, lowland raised mires, upland heath, sand crowberry plug plants dunes, woodland, wetlands, coastal shingle and limestone pavement.

Restoring and conserving wildlife habitats Delivering natural solutions to climate change Natural Flood Management

SillotSillothh Marine Conservation Zones CarlisCarlislele Natural fl ood management is when natural processes are Nature Reserves used to reduce the risk of fl ooding. Changing the way land is managed to reduce fl ood risk is also benefi cial to wildlife and New Nature Reserve PePenrithnrith that is why we undertook a project at Birds Park, to the east of , to research the eff ectiveness of slowing the fl ow Plumgarths WhitWhitehavenehaven of fl oodwater from Stock Beck East down to the Sandylands Gosling Sike estate in Kendal. A series of willow ‘hydro-hedges’ have been KirkKirkbyby StephenStephen AmblesidAmblesidee built in the basin of the former Kendal reservoir which

KeKendalndal could hold back up to 5,000 cubic metres of water during Our activity this year ConiConistonston a storm event like Storm Desmond. Any stored water will release slowly a er the fl ood peak, reducing the impact on properties during a storm event. Cumbria Wildlife Trust is Restoration projects: working in partnership with the Environment Agency, which Hay meadows has funded the project, to deliver a programme of natural BarrBarrow-in-Furnessow-in-Furness Peat fl ood management research in the Stock Beck Catchment. Land owned by United Utilities around Birds Park is one of Pollinator habitat Volunteers from Kendal Conservation Volunteers the fi rst locations identifi ed to do this. making natural fl ood defences above Kendal © Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

2 Wildlife Highlights 2019–20 Wildlife Highlights 2019–20 3 Species success and challenges Red Squirrels Bu erfl ies Northern England Birds Annual Monitoring Atlantic salmon returned to Programme Eycott Hill Nature Reserve Good populations of diff erent bird species were northern brown argus, 160 grayling, dark green fritillary were recorded for the fi rst recorded at South Walney Nature Reserve. Number of sites and holly blue at Hu on Roof 16 time following work to where red squirrels Crags Nature Reserve. re-naturalise Naddles Beck were detected 2 osprey chicks were successfully during surveying, It was an amazing year for migratory reared at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve. 64.3% an increase from painted lady with unprecedented 57.1% compared to 16 chicks have fl edged over 6 years numbers throughout Cumbria. the most successful location in Cumbria the previous year. A licence was granted for a Cumbria beaver trial Rockcliff e Marsh Nature Reserve Orchids

Fly and lesser bu erfl y orchids Dark red helleborine var. pallens 207 pairs of skylark It was a poor summer for these Two new light coloured forms of this orchids at Waitby Greenriggs rare helleborine were discovered at Nature Reserve due to May Hu on Roof Crags Nature Reserve, pairs of rainfall being 30% of normal. bringing the total to 10. 83 lapwing Dragonfl ies Heath fragrant orchid Dark red helleborine var. bicolor 66 pairs of redshank This unusual orchid with white Over 30 specimens of this variety of and violet bi-colour fl owers was orchid thrive on Hu on Roof Crags spo ed at Waitby Greenriggs Nature Reserve. 20 species of dragonfl y were recorded pairs of Nature Reserve. on Cumbria Wildlife Trust's nature 38 oystercatcher Dark red and broad leaved reserves. These included the nationally Common spo ed orchids helleborine hybrid rare white-faced darter, re-introduced Over 80 common spo ed orchids 20 of this vigorous hybrid and many at Foulshaw Moss, and a migrant from Foulney Island Nature Reserve bloomed at Augill Pasture Nature weaker ones are growing at Hu on Europe in February, a vagrant emperor. Reserve in the summer. Roof Crags Nature Reserve. Nowhere else in the UK is it so prolifi c. Another migrant from Europe, red- veined darters, appeared during the 16 li le tern 8 Arctic tern summer. nests nests Colonising species such as broad-bodied Continuing challenges chaser did well but lower numbers Eyco Hill Nature Reserve of some residents, such as common hawker, could have been an outcome of We have seen wildlife thrive across our nature reserves this last year, but wildlife hot weather in 2018. 38 species of birds continues to decline across the countryside. Nature reserves are vital havens for our were recorded rare and unusual species but wildlife needs to be able to live outside these pockets. Two bills, the Agricultural Bill and the Environment Bill were debated in Parliament last year, the outcome of which could have a huge positive impact on wildlife in meadow pipits & skylark 48 51 changing the way that land is managed. The Wildlife Trusts have advised and lobbied were seen in April Government on ways these bills could have be er outcomes for wildlife.

4 Wildlife Highlights 2019–20 Wildlife Highlights 2019–20 5 Inspiring and engaging people to value nature Eyco Hill Nature Reserve

“The original visit to site inspired guided walks during wonderful ideas, it was amazing to see 2019 with 140 people learnt Children had fun at those ideas transformed into a script and 15 2,416 our Wildlife Watch Groups people taking part about wildlife at our events then a performance. Thank you to everyone involved. The children loved performing £ 20 children engaged with outdoors. £ £ & nature through our “ 1,000 visits to schools Braithwaite Primary School a er their outdoor £ theatre performance at The Hill of Dreams at Eyco 13,103 Hill Nature Reserve. art members supported us workshops “I just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU 56 with a regular donation 7 apprentices for all the fantastic experiences that working 139 school children, and placement students gained vital workplace experience with Cumbria Wildlife Trust over the last and 22 adults with four years has brought, we have thoroughly learning disabilities took part Numbers of people visiting our nature reserves enjoyed every moment.“ Greystoke Primary School a er their outdoor theatre performance at The Hill of Dreams at Eyco Hill students took part in the Nature Reserve. 121 John Muir Award “The experience has been fantastic, the 9,000 children enjoyed the performance a great 20,000 12,000 10,000 deal and got so much out of it. As a teacher 59 people took part in Foulshaw Moss Eyco Hill South Walney it has been a pleasure to watch the children develop their skills to the point where they could perform to complete strangers Volunteers help us to achieve so much more than yesterday! The children have a much more Your contribution staff alone could. Our volunteer roles and tasks are developed understanding of the local wide-ranging: environment and how precious it is which I 5 diff erent skills courses 1,325 hours • Honorary nature reserve manager was delighted with. I was so proud.“ were given by volunteers • Helping with admin, mapping and our membership database St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School a er the in various roles at our • Tree weeding completion of the four-year long project with Prism • Building our image library 2 Discovery Days where Plumgarths offi ce Arts and Cumbria Wildlife Trust. • Dry stone walling people a ended • Responding to volunteer enquiries 80 were given by • Badger surveys 2,155 volunteers • Collating species records for reserves days to improve nature reserves • Heathland surveys • Building visitor cabins • Scrub removal to improve wild fl owers 26 Conservation Days involving 1,616 volunteers • Ride maintenance for bu erfl ies 186 volunteers, completing a signed up to help wildlife • Hedge planting • Welcoming visitors total of 930 hours work Badger’s Paw Award A special thank you ! Each year Cumbria Wildlife Trust recognises the Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Local Support Groups help us to 1 outdoor theatre outstanding contribution of volunteers with our Badger’s reach out into our communities and bring people closer to Paw Award. This year, the following volunteers were nature through the many events they organise each year. performance recognised: Janet Antrobus, Ruth Carling, Sue Gibson, We’d like to thank the group commi ees, which are entirely run with over performers Laurence Carlyle, John Gorrill, Ann and Philip James, by volunteers, for their ongoing commitment to the Trust. Distington School. Photo Prism Arts 120 David Stevenson and Alison Whalley. and an audience of 95 people

6 Wildlife Highlights 2019–20 Wildlife Highlights 2019–20 7 Staveley Woodlands Gosling Sike Get Cumbria Buzzing Nature Reserve

students from the University of Cumbria wild fl ower 12 undertook fi lming people are growing trees plug plants 65 for the woodlands for their course 3,557 6 at their own homes were grown pollinator identifi cation skills workshops were held & volunteer days 52 people took part 3 family events were a ended by 539 were carried out pollinator-friendly in the garden 9 gardening workshops 14 & 43 people took part 100 Highway England roadside verges were families restored for pollinators from Houghton C Highway England 33 of E Primary School I have been involved with the Staveley Woodlands project pupils visited to learn about 100 roadside verges from“ the beginning as a fundraiser and then as a volunteer. bees and pollination It is so lovely to be part of a project which will increase the were restored for biodiversity and area of woodland close to the river Kent. I and many others have learnt plenty of new skills, dry stone walling, pollinators planting new saplings, fungi and moss identifi cation and collecting seeds to try to grow more trees to be planted out later. The Lost Words The residents of Staveley are delighted to have Craggy Wood Wildlife Garden 13 art as a publicly owned woodland and part of the Staveley My role was to work closely with Cumbria Wildlife Woodlands group, and feel empowered to help in its upkeep and was created at Gosling Sike and cra s Trust“ and Highways England to deliver habitat development because of the engagement that Cumbria Wildlife restoration works on A66/A595 verges. Working Trust has made with them over the past few years. We all enjoy collaboratively helped bridge the knowledge gaps, so walks in every season through the woods. Thanks to Cumbria activities that my team were able to deliver the best outcomes for Wildlife Trust for their commitment to this project. A wild fl ower nursery “ took place and were enjoyed by pollinators, and road users. I was keen to be involved from the onset, it was technically challenging and the Anne Salisbury was built by the benefi ts for pollinators are immense. I’ve learnt a lot, as a 436 people result we’ve created a company webpage to demonstrate Get Cumbria what can be done on road networks to support pollinators. I’m also working with my local community to 130 Buzzing team create wildfl ower verges in our village. people volunteered “ Providing access to nature Mark Wakeman, Lead Contractor, Ground Control local school schools created education children A new car park, visitor cabin 3 pollinator friendly workshops 32 are helping and information boards gardens in their 21 were held in regularly were created and installed at schools Smardale Nature Reserve school grounds 6

of new boardwalk was built 600m by volunteers at Drumburgh 36 people Moss Nature Reserve 32 pollinator children volunteered conservation days took place & took part in in the tree nursery of pollinator habitat A new bird hide and osprey shelter was restored or created were built at Foulshaw Moss 394,300 m 506 pollinator Nature Reserve for pollinators related activities

8 Wildlife Highlights 2019–20 Wildlife Highlights 2019–20 9 Protecting wildlife in the Irish Sea Thank you

Donations are the fi nancial backbone of Cumbria Wildlife Trust and we are grateful to our 13,000+ members who make it possible for us to do so much for wildlife in the county. Thank you to all our individual, joint, family, child, Dublin Bay prawn life and corporate members and to those who have le us a legacy, either in their Will or as a living legacy. new Marine Our thanks also go to the grant-giving organisations which have supported our projects throughout the year. 2 Conservation Zones creel fi shery were designated off the A trial to test the feasibility Thank you to our Corporate Members The enormous gi of a love of nature of a Dublin Bay prawn creel who have supported us this year There are many expressions of genuine thanks Cumbria coast fi shery in the West of Walney Platinum: Center Parcs, The Lakes Distillery. that we both give and receive in an average year. Solway Firth MCZ Marine Conservation Zone Gold: Lyon Equipment, United Utilities. But this year we came across a note of thanks in resulted in Silver: AvantiGas, Cyclife UK Ltd, H&H Reeds a Will that was so heartfelt and touching that we West of Copeland MCZ Printers Ltd, WCF Ltd. would like to share it. Bronze: Arnison Heelis Solicitors, Cedar Manor Dr Rosemary Maine was not a member of Cumbria 340 Hotel, The Cumbria Grand Hotel, Holiday Wildlife Trust, so the confi rmation of a gi le Razorbills were also Co ages.co.uk, Lafarge Tarmac, University of in her will was a very welcome surprise. The Cumbria. wording within her Will describes that the gi protected in Cumbria prawns caught in 203 creel Standard: Aggregate Industries, AlpKit, Daff odil is being made ‘in memory of my dear parents pots. Bo om trawling for these Hotel, English Lakes Ice Cream, Fortis Remote who endowed me with the enormous gi of a Coast MCZ prawns is very damaging to Technology, Good Life Co age Company, love of nature’. How wonderful of Rosemary to marine wildlife on the sea bed Lakeland Co age Company, Lakeland Hideaways, acknowledge this gi that has given her so much Lakeland Limited, Lakelovers, Langdale Hotel and pleasure throughout her whole life. Spa, Pure Leisure Group, TheLakeDistrict.org, more MCZs were designated Wildroof Landscapes. And so, to all of you who have endowed children beach cleans Complimentary: Cumbria Waste Management, with this gi , and passed on a love of nature to a in the wider Irish Sea younger generation, thank you. It can clearly have 4 69 1,138 Furness Building Society, Radiata Trees, 2 Sisters collected bags Food Group, Vine House Farm, CanOWater. a huge impact on someone’s life. Wyre & Lune MCZ, Ribble Estuary MCZ of rubbish across Cumbria Queenie Corner MCZ & South Rigg MCZ When Rosemary’s gi is received, we will place a Gi s in Wills memory leaf expressing her thanks to her parents at an appropriate site, as was Rosemary’s wish. During the year we were grateful to receive new legacies from Marjorie Higham, Margaret Albon, Our thanks go to Rosemary and all those who Albert Watson, Marjorie Shaw, Maureen Forshaw, have benefi  ed wildlife through a gi in their will. Kathleen Wilson, Geraldine Braithwaite, Katharine basking Griffi n, David Stewart, Christine Cochrane, Royston 3 sharks Jackson, Derek Hall and Walter Ma hews.

were sighted from Cumbria Where our income came from What your fi nancial support means

Total £3,342,561 80% of our expenditure created living landscapes, secured living seas, and inspired people 7 to care for the natural environment.

Grants £1,429,156 grey seal pups were born at 20% was spent on membership scheme South Walney Nature Reserve costs and fundraising. Donations £880,738

Membership £594,642 The grey seal colony at 20% South Walney Legacies £308,686 peaked at Photo John Gorrill 412 hauled out on Other income £129,339* 80% the beach *This includes income from Local Support Groups, our lo ery, merchandise sales, fundraising events and investment income.

Registered in England as Cumbria Wildlife Trust Limited, Company Limited by Guarantee No. 00724133. Registered Charity No. 218771. 10 Wildlife Highlights 2019–20 Protecting wildlife for the Future Design by Lisa Hornby E-Graphics