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The TeamWe had another great weekend helping Cumbria Wildlife Trust with the site management of Hutton Roof Crags. It has been a treat for us to get to know parts of this National Nature Reserve over the past few years.
This year the bulk of our task was to remove brash and product from areas where contractors had been coppicing. Over the weekend, two large bonfires were enthusiastically stoked to burn waste brash, whilst useful timber product was stacked to be made into charcoal and fire wood. This will hopefully help to fund future felling works. Meanwhile we cooked some superb potatoes in the fire.
The woodland management is designed to improve the habitats for butterflies and other invertebrates. A corridor was successfully cut through the wood to link up the open limestone pavement habitats with the coppice woodland area. It is hoped that the High Brown Fritillary butterfly will respond well and make good use of the route to spread around the reserve. In addition, the opening of the canopy should encourage a flush of violets, which will hopefully be favoured by the butterfly for their caterpillars to eat.
Wal has already got plans for us next year!