The Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership are looking for volunteers to help with learning activities for children, young people and adults. Training courses will begin in January but there will be introductory meetings before this so you can find out more information on what is required.
I thought it was about time we did an update of how things are going here on the Solway. It has been a busy year so far for us, here is a quick review of our events:
FEBRUARY
Hedgelaying - we had a great bunch of enthusiastic people to learn this skill at Wedholme Flow at the beginning of the year. The hedge is just beside the car park and I am told it is looking really good now, so if you are down that way why don't you pop along and explore wonderful Wedholme!
Well, it is nearly the end of May already, where has the year gone?
On a positive note we have been very busy in Solway Wetlands HQ. Our events leaflet is just about to be printed so keep an eye out for it when you are out and about. All our events are on the website too http://www.solwaywetlands.org.uk/events and will be promoted through our Facebook and Twitter accounts (see below for links).
Hello, I have now started doing bird counting up at RSPB Campfield Marsh which has been fantastic so far.
You don’t really need a map or a compass, but you do have new route choices if you are out on the bog at Campfield RSPB reserve. A new boardwalk junction has appeared giving access to a brand new section of boardwalk leading north and east; opening up access to the bog and an area of wet birch and then down the eastern edge of the reserve. You can continue back the Wetlands Centre via the bridge designed by young people on last year’s Solway Nature Explorers programme and a new route through the Campfield farm reserve.
After nearly 3 months in my new role as the Wetlands Officer for the Solway Wetlands Partnership I thought it was about time to post something on our blog.
It has been an incredibly busy time getting out and meeting people, getting to know our sites and the team. I am very grateful that so many partners found time to see me and welcome me to the Solway.
Next time you are visiting the Campfield Marsh RSPB reserve at Bowness-on-Solway, take the time to take a look at the roof of the Wetlands Centre Barn and admire the new solar panel installation.
The new solar panels were generously funded by Scottish Power via the Green Energy Trust (http://www.scottishpowergreentrust.co.uk) and will help to meet the power requirements of the Wetlands Centre whilst also providing income, as excess power is fed into the national grid.
~~My last Blog post was back in June as I was preparing for our summer activities on the Wetlands and in particular the Solway Nature Explorers camps, as we now approach autumn it is an opportunity to reflect on what has been a fantastic and busy summer.
My first blog post here as I complete my first three months in post as the Learning and Community Officer with the partnership. What a busy few months it has been, with quite a few people to meet and a terrific amount to learn; fortunately all the people I have met have been really generous (and patient) in sharing many of the things I have had to learn.
I'm really sorry for not posting anything for ages, we will make an effort to have more regular posts in future!
So much has happened over the past few months I don’t know where to start.
Firstly I must welcome Chris Spencer to the team, Chris joined us in April as our Learning and Community Officer and is getting stuck in with preparations for Education Week at Finglandrigg wood (30th June to 4th July) as well as an exciting programme of youth camps during the summer.
Some lung busting efforts have gone in over the last week from staff, project partners and volunteers to help plant a little known but much maligned meadow flower called Devils-bit Scabious. A big thank you to all who have been involved, both at Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Orton Moss Reserve and Finglandrigg Wood National Nature Reserve.
After two months away exploring the beautiful countries of Indochina, my first job was to head out to check on the progress of the bog restoration projects that have been going on while I was away. I hope you might forgive me for not being immediately excited by the prospect of putting wellies on to trudge across the bog in the rain, however, it was great to get out and see the Solway once again. The estuary was looking great (see picture), couldn’t see any haafnetters which would have completed the picture, but I was reminded of what a fantastic landscape this is.
Thank you to those who braved the weather on Saturday to join us at The Solway Wetlands Centre for our Birdwatching event. In the end we were very lucky and our walk up to the hide was fine with the rain only arriving once we were sheltered there. Norman Holton, RSPB Senior Site Manager, was leading the event to point out and identify the birds and we had a pretty impressive list for a blustery day which included: Kestrel, Buzzards x 2, little Egret, Teal, Pintail, Shoveler, Starling, Fieldfare, Robin, Great Tit, Jackdaw and two Roe Deer!
Hello! This is our first blog post on our brand new website and we’re very excited indeed to have it up and running. We intend to load lots more content onto it over the coming months so do keep coming back to see how the site develops. We would also love you to suggest content- do you have a favourite place on the Solway Coast, a favourite cycle route or know somewhere quirky on the Solway that people might like to visit. If so, let us know- see the contact us page on this website, tweet us or send a message on Facebook.
