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Countryman
Diary - July 2007
Neglect puts some of our most precious
grassland in danger
There are those who assume that human intervention
in nature will inevitably lead to some catastrophic event somewhere
else along the chain. We play a part in natural balance and order
along with every other living thing but we seem to make more
mistakes than the others. There are times when we should leave
well alone and let nature take its course and there are occasions
when we can lend a hand and improve the welfare and maintain
a future for the rest of life on earth.
There will always be arguments about introducing
species at the top of a food chain; we’ve still many lessons
to learn about pesticides and in woodland management; and there
are changes in farming practices which can have disastrous effects
for wildlife.
In Devon it is thought that without human intervention
much rare wildlife will be lost because important culm grassland
is in danger due to neglect. Devon Wildlife Trust found that
of the 146 culm grassland sites visited, more than half risk
being lost to woodland and scrub as a result of agricultural
abandonment.
During the past year Devon and Cornwall wildlife
trusts have been working together on the Culm Natural Networks
Project to save the region’s remaining rich and rare wet
grassland habitats. Project coordinator Lynne Kenderdine says: “Although
woodland is a valuable habitat for many species, culm grassland
is much less common and without human intervention it can lose
its rare wildlife, such as the marsh fritillary butterfly.” Wetlands
are also valuable as a reservoir of ground water. If they are
allowed to dry out there is a risk of increased flooding, as
rainwater will run off the top rather than being absorbed and
stored.
Lynne adds: “In the past this type of
habitat would have been managed by traditional farming practices
such as swaling (burning off) and low intensity grazing, often
using native breeds. The survey highlights the fact that these
practices are no longer the norm and as a result natural succession
to scrub and woodland is becoming a major issue.” The remaining
survey work covering almost 200 known culm sites in the region
will continue until next spring.
Potter jigsaw complete
The National Trust has successfully acquired
52 hectares of land at Tarn Hows in the Lake District, completing
the final pieces of the jigsaw started by Beatrix Potter over
seventy years ago. The acquisition involves two parcels of land – at
Torver Intake and Arnside Intake. Both sites have high nature
conservation value, containing substantial areas of mires, herb-rich
grassland and juniper. The acquisition of Torver Intake, part
of the water catchment area, means that all of the Tarn Hows
Site of Special Scientific Interest will now come under the ownership
and care of the trust.
Torver Intake is an important wildlife site due to its wetlands
and flushes; and upland birds such as the meadow pipit and yellowhammer
can be found nesting there. These new acquisitions will help
the trust protect the views from this iconic setting and manage
the region’s diverse flora and fauna. The trust is aiming
to combine sensitive land management with improved public access.
Bill’s enactment
American author Bill Bryson (pictured) is this
month set to become the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s
new president, taking over from newspaper columnist and military
historian Sir Max Hastings. Bill, who lives in Norfolk, has long
worn his love for England’s countryside on his sleeve,
celebrating its beauty and variety in books such as Notes from
a Small Island.
CPRE hopes his presidency of one of the UK’s
leading and longest established environmental bodies will raise
the profile of its cause – protecting and enhancing England’s
countryside for the benefit of everyone, wherever they live.
Bill is being put forward for election at the national organisation’s
annual meeting on July 9, having been endorsed by the board of
trustees.
CPRE chairman Sir Nigel Thompson said: “We’re
just delighted that Bill has agreed to be put forward as CPRE
president. He’s a person who communicates how wonderful
and precious England’s countryside is to the widest possible
audience. He has particular concerns about some kinds of damage
to the countryside, such as litter, and we’ll be working
with him on those. But Bill understands and supports our fight
across the board.”
Bill said: “I’m very honoured to
be asked. For a very long time I’ve been a huge admirer
of CPRE, what it does and what it stands for. I’d like
to help it to build on its successes if I can.”
Feats of Cley
Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s new visitor
centre at Cley Marshes (pictured) is now open for birdwatchers,
just in time to witness the spectacle of avocets nesting or catch
a glimpse of a rare migrant or maybe hear or even see a bittern.
The building is cutting edge in design. It tucks neatly into
the landscape with its curved green roof and is fronted by a
ribbon of glass to provide stunning views over the marshes. It
is a showcase of what can be done to be energy efficient and
reduce carbon emissions by generating heat and power through
its own wind turbine, solar panel and ground source heat pump.
It has a living green roof covered with sedum moss and rainwater
is collected and recycled for use in flushing the loos.
The project is part of a wider programme of
work being undertaken in partnership with the Environment Agency
and National Trust. Known as GEESE (Glaven Education and Environmental
Sustainability Enterprise), it includes major flood alleviation
works on Cley Marshes and the rejuvenation of the freshwater
pools. This improved the feeding and breeding habitats for the
many species of birds that depend on them.
Still to come is a revamp of the National Trust’s
visitor centres at Blakeney and Morston Quay, scheduled for later
this year.
Diary dates
Weald and Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton
in Sussex hosts the Rare and Traditional Breeds Show on July
22. Now in its 22nd year the show remains one of the south east’s
top countryside events. 01243
811348 or visit www.wealddown.co.uk
Also on Sunday July 22 the Flag Fen Bronze
Age Centre, near Peterborough, will throw open its doors for
a celebration of Celtic culture and experimental archaeology.
Visitors will be able to watch Celtic experts demonstrating the
skills of our ancestors and have a go at experimental archaeology. 01733
313414.
The Great Yorkshire Show takes place this year
at the Showground in Harrogate, 10-12 July. Last year’s
event attracted a record-breaking crowd of 135,111. Topping that
by about five thousand visitors will be the Royal Show to be
held 1-4 July at Stoneleigh Park – set in 250 acres of
beautiful Warwickshire countryside. Both agricultural showcases
encompass all aspects of farming, food and rural life.
Beauty spot, Tarn Hows, where the National
Trust has purchased the final pieces of the property jigsaw begun
by Beatrix Potter.
Paul Jackson |
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