We are now true regulars at Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s site at Hutton Roof Crags and we weren’t going to let a few inches of snow put off our journey over the A65. Luckily, the roads were clear enough to make a safe journey and by the time we passed through Ingleton the snow had all but disappeared and we had glorious weather for the rest of the weekend.
We have made this the destination for our winter residential, not only because it is a lovely place and we get a great welcome from Wal and his volunteers, but because we are pleased to be able to help with the habitat management on this National Nature Reserve. The woodland management is designed with butterflies in mind, in particular the High Brown Fritillary. Rides are being widened through the woodland to enable the butterflies to fly between areas, and areas are being coppiced to allow the ground flora to flourish, including the violets which are the foodplant of the fritillaries.
So, we were clearing brash, stoking fires and felling trees and moving logs so they can be taken away and put to use. We also got the chance to see how Dan the charcoal maker loads and fires his kiln.
Same time next year?