Spring 2020
Spring is beginning to force its way through now, despite the continuing wet and windy weather. Primroses, Lesser Celandines and Violets are all coming into flower. The 5 species of butterfly that over-winter as adults have all been seen flying – Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral and Comma. The numbers of Commas around reflects what a good season they had towards the end of last year and a high survival rate over a mild winter.
The Peregrines have become quite active with the warmer days and can be seen and heard regularly above the rock faces.
Volunteers
Thank you very much to all our hard-working volunteers for a very productive season of habitat management in the open grassland and woodland coppice areas. We look forward to seeing the fruits of this in the blooming of flowers and activities of insects.
Contact Details:
Gareth Egarr, North Reserves Officer.
Tel: 01743 284281; e: garethe@shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Winter 2020
The rarest of our eight species of orchid, the Autumn Lady’s-tresses, has been found again on the English side of the reserve. This species had not been seen for a few years (except on the Welsh side) but with changes made to the bolted climbing routes and the change in the grazing regime it has appeared again.
The cattle grazing, whilst not popular with everyone, has been very successful in helping to maintain the open habitats on the reserve for which it is nationally important. Volunteer work to clear the scrub the cattle couldn’t eat is continuing, as is the annual coppicing in the woodland between the inclines. If you are interested in helping with this work please contact me.
