Nature reserves First hawfinch at Brown Robin
Spring was definitely on its way when the first returning hawfinches were spoted at the start of February by Tony, our eagle-eyed Honorary Reserve Manager at Brown Robin Nature Reserve near Grange-over-Sands. Numbers tend to build until the end of March, when birds disperse to breed.
Hawfinch. Photo: Andy Morffew
Litle tern with chick Photo: Margaret Holland
Dunes of Barrow
This wonderful wildlife enhancement project came to an end in the autumn. Funded by WREN landfill tax, the project has restored 5.5 hectares of species-rich dune grassland at South Walney Nature Reserve and created 2.5 hectares of new tern nesting habitat on Foulney Island Nature Reserve.
South Walney visitor cabin
The new South Walney visitor cabin was officially opened in April. The repurposed office space now provides loads of information about all the special features of the nature reserve, as well as access to the live seal cam, children’s activities and a chance to get a brew and escape the weather!
Around 500 visitors enjoyed arts and craſts, guided walks and much more at the opening event in April
A dragonfly at Foulshaw – in February!
A large hawker dragonfly was seen on the wing at the southern edge of Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve on 25 February. No identification was possible, and there was another sighting at Wart Barrow (just 8km away) on the same day. The find of a dead insect in a pool at Silecroſt, near Millom, did enable a positive ID: vagrant emperor dragonfly. The position of the jet stream had provided ideal conditions for a northward migration of this species of the Mediterranean and north Africa. Local observers Dave Thaxton, Martin Chadwick and Bob Muscat had independently been lucky enough to witness such rare events.
Still smiling aſter moving 100 sleepers into position
Building a boardwalk
A new boardwalk is under construction at Drumburgh Moss Nature Reserve. The additional boardwalk will stretch 600m and create a circular path from the viewing platform to the perimeter bund. This work has been made possible thanks to a £20,000 grant from Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust.
A vagrant emperor dragonfly was recorded for only the second time
in Cumbria Photo: David Clarke
Tracking the cows
GPS collars were fited to three of the Luing catle that graze our nature reserve at Eycot Hill. Beaming back their whereabouts every two hours, we can now track the habits and grazing preferences of the catle throughout the year, allowing more informed management decisions in the future.
www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk 25
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