Morecambe Bay Nature Improvement Area Volunteer Work Parties January - March 2014

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1 Morecambe Bay Nature Improvement Area Volunteer Work Parties January - March 2014 The Morecambe Bay Nature Improvement Area needs you to help us to improve the habitat for Morecambe Bay s special species! We ll be working with our partners Butterfly Conservation, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, National Trust, and RSPB over the coming months, and would love to see you join us. The New Year sees us turning the corner from winter towards spring, with lengthening days, and the main breeding season beginning in March. Volunteer activity in the countryside at this time of year helps make it a better place for it wildlife to live. There is still time to get involved with a variety of practical activities, restoring places for wildlife in woodlands, wetlands and grasslands across North Lancashire and South Cumbria. These tasks help us to create the right conditions for some of the UK s most precious butterflies such as the Duke of Burgundy, as well as beautiful wildflowers including bog rosemary, rock rose and the wonderfully named bird s-foot-trefoil. When are the days run? Events will happen every Thursday. There is also one Saturday per month see individual listings. Each day will start at 10am and finish no later than 4pm. Please see individual listing details for more information. What do I need to bring? You ll need appropriate outdoor clothing, including waterproofs, and stout footwear. You should also bring a packed lunch and hot drink. On days where we are having a fire, feel free to bring sausages, foil wrapped potatoes and/or marshmallows to cook. Is it for me? Are you fit and want to do something outdoors? Then yes, it is for you! You will be working on uneven ground, in a variety of weather. You will need to be able to lift and carry. At the start of each day you will be informed of more specific risks, and shown how we use any tools. How much does it cost? All our days are completely free of charge. Do I need to book? No, you can just turn up on the day. We will need some basic emergency contact information. You will then be fully covered by their insurance. Can I bring my dog? For a number of reasons such as grazing animals, or the nature of the work we ll be doing, we do ask that you please leave your dog at home.

2 Quick reference guide for January: Where When What Edkins Thwaite SD th January Scrub cutting and burning Far Arnside SD Saturday 18 th January Gorse cutting and burning Holme Stinted Pasture SD 23 rd January Gorse cutting and burning Cringlebarrow SD th January Limestone pavement restoration High Dam SD th February Woodland ride creation Middlebarrow SD th February and 6 th March Limestone pavement restoration and woodland management Kendal Fell SD th February Scrub clearance and coppicing Cunswick Scar SD Saturday 22 nd February Gorse clearing and burning Warton Tuesday 25 th February Volunteering for Nature Day see below Eggerslack Woods SD 27 th February Woodland Management Savinhill SD th March Hibernacula construction I d like to know more, who can I talk to? Please contact Adrienne King either by at adrienne.king@rspb.org.uk, or by phone on Special Event... Special Event... Special Event... Special Event... Special Event Volunteering for Nature Day Warton Tuesday 25 February 2014, 9:30am 3:30pm Help improve the homes of some nationally important nature that lives locally. A variety of volunteering opportunities on Warton Crag and Hyning Scout Wood, and at the hub. Meet: 9.30 am, Warton Village Hall no booking required Suitable for Adults (12+ accompanied by an adult) Wear outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear Bring lunch and a hot drink Afternoon tea at the hall at 3.30 pm! This event is hosted by RSPB, Arnside and Silverdale AONB, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation, as part of the Morecambe Bay Limestones and Wetlands Nature Improvement Area project. Where to find us: Head for the centre of the village. Car parking is limited in Warton Village but parking stewards will be positioned near the George Washington Pub to direct you. Details: tania.crockett@rspb.org.uk; ; More information available soon!

3 What will we be doing? Today we will be working with Butterfly Conservation, helping to open up sunny woodland rides in this southern area of the Lake District National Park for the benefit of insects, especially the Duke of Burgundy butterflies. Where is it? High Dam, north of Newby Bridge High Dam Woodland Ride Creation Day Thursday 6 th February Where will we meet? Parking is available in the National Park Authority car park at grid reference: SD What will we be doing? Today we will be working with Cumbria Wildlife Trust, helping to clear scrub and coppice small trees on grassland commanding impressive views over Kendal. FAMILIES WELCOME! Where is it? Adjacent to Kendal Golf Course Where will we meet? Parking is available at a car park at grid reference: SD Kendal Fell Scrub Clearance and Coppicing Day Thursday 20 th February

4 What will we be doing? Gorse is great, but Cunswick Scar has too much of it! Help the Morecambe Bay Nature Improvement Area and Cumbria Wildlife Trust to reduce its density and provide a richer grassland. We ll be burning the cut gorse, helping to keep us warm all day. Where is it? Cunswick Scar, Kendal. Cunswick Scar Grassland Restoration Day Saturday 22 nd February Where will we meet? Car parking is available at Scout Scar car park on Underbarrow Road, grid reference SD , where we can meet you and escort you to the work site on the eastern slope of Cunswick Scar. What will we be doing? Help the Morecambe Bay Nature Improvement Area and Butterfly Conservation to improve woodland habitat for violets and Fritillary butterflies. Using loppers, bow saws, scythes, pitchforks and rakes to clear the woodland area. We ll also have a fire to burn the brash. Where is it? Eggerslack Woods, Grange over Sands. Where will we meet? Grid reference: SD Eggerslack Woods Thursday 27 th February

5 Savinhill Bog Restoration Thursday 13 th March What will we be doing? Think that bogs are dull? Come and see for yourself how fascinating they are, and help to bring one back to life! As part of an ongoing restoration project for this increasingly rare habitat, Morecambe Bay Nature Improvement Area and RSPB will be creating an hibernacula for wintering reptiles. Where is it? Savinhill Moss, near Brigsteer. Where will we meet? There s plenty of car parking at the site, grid reference: SD Please note that this is a privately owned site with no public right of access. We are working with the landowner to help them protect this special place. I d like to know more, who can I talk to? Please contact Adrienne King either by at adrienne.king@rspb.org.uk, or by phone on