By David Rowell
It has been a hectic few months for Langdyke Countryside Trust with a number of projects aimed at improving and enhancing nature coming to fruition.
The organisation, run entirely by volunteers, manages a number of nature sites across the area.
The most recent developments include:
- The introduction of viewing points at Maxey and Etton giving walkers wonderful views of the wildlife from already established footpaths
- The building of three new wildlife ponds and a new area to encourage turtle doves and butterflies at Etton High Meadow
- Major work to remove an invasive and damaging weed from the water areas at Etton Maxey nature reserve which has been affecting bird life
- Clearance work to restore the ancient M’Lady’s Pond near Ailsworth
- The finalisation of a management plan for the recently acquired Christ’s College reserve between Helpston and Maxey
And while this has been going on Langdyke has also relaunched its website making it easier to navigate and with a cleaner design.
Langdyke chair Richard Astle said: “It’s been quite a summer in terms of projects. All of this has been in addition to our continued work to manage, maintain and enhance nature on sites across the area.”
Walkers using the banks and footpaths near to the Maxey Cut have already welcomed the opening up of three viewing areas on to the Christ’s College nature reserve. New information boards will be put up in the near future providing information about the site.
The reserve, in more recent times the site of gravel extraction, is the latest to be acquired by Langdyke after a successful public appeal for financial help.
Three other viewing areas, all with disabled access, have been created along the Green Lane Bridleway at Etton providing lovely views of the Vergette wood Meadow water areas.
Across the road at Etton High Meadow three new ponds have been dug out and a bank established which has been sown with seed that will attract butterflies and hopefullly provide feed for Turtle Doves during their summer visits. You can see them by clicking on the main picture (above)
Tackling problems affecting nature is also an important part of Langdyke’s volunteer workforce.
The main pond at Swaddywell which has leaked is currently being rescued by volunteers, saving plants and creatures, clearing out debris and installing a new lining to restore it to its former glory.
Likewise the ancient M’Lady’s Pond near Ailsworth – which has been in a sorry state in recent years – has undergone similar restoration work.
And major work has been undertaken at the Etton Maxey reserve with a digger being used to scrape away invasive crassula, also known as New Zealand Pygmy weed, which takes over the muddy margins of water areas usually a home for wading birds.