The car park at Snipe Dales was almost full just after lunch
on Sunday with families picnicking, children playing and in some cases dogs
rushing around. We were aghast to see a big group sitting by a barbecue –
albeit contained with a ceramic pot. Do people not read warnings of fire risk
or even have any common sense? By the time 2.00 pm arrived 17 LWT members were
ready to begin our outing. It was good to see new LAG members and to be joined
by ladies from other groups. The sun was shining and the paths were quite dry
despite the heavy rain that fell on the previous day.
We were very impressed with the
knowledge and the gentle presentation skills of Warden James Forrest as he took
us up hill and down dale for the next two and a half hours. We learned about
the various decisions that had to made before trees could be felled and species
replaced together with how many authorities were involved in the control of the
felling, cutting, cropping and grazing that went into the process of making
this Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve look 'natural'. As well as the Trust,
the Lincolnshire County Council, the Forestry Commission and at least two other
august bodies could be involved. Even the height of the grass in the rough
pasture land was subject to regulation! Thanks to the support of volunteers and
school projects many hours had been spent trying to eradicate the invasive
Himalayan balsam, clearing paths and sadly picking up dog mess and litter.
The geology of the steep valley that forms the 220-acre Snipe Dales is
fretted by chalk streams which have cut through the soft Spilsby Sandstone to
the underlying Kimmeridge Clay to give a complex chemical mix to different
areas of the soil. This leads to a wide variety of flora that is recorded and
carefully controlled. I
was fascinated to see that Apple
trees had been planted – to attract the bees and other insects - and that the
Lincolnshire custom of planting Cherry trees as boundary markers was being
followed.
Grants had been received to enable new fencing and paths to be
constructed and for a survey of the fauna of the streams to be carried out. The
aquatic animals were stunned by a process of electro-fishing. James was
delighted to discover the profusion of Brown trout and Bullheads plus a great
number of Mayfly and Caddisfly larvae with a wide range of species of other
insects and crustaceans. Water vole were identified together with Otter sprint
but there was no evidence of the predatory Mink.
James advised us to visit in April to see the Siskins or to join the
LWT Dawn Chorus walk in May whilst some of you may be taking your grandchildren
to join the 20,000 school children who have great fun at Snipe Dales during the
course of the year. They carry out mini-projects and learn 'bush craft' which
involves making dens and lighting fires (under strict LWT supervision) to cook
food.
A wonderful outing thanks to the time given by our friendly, erudite
Warden James Forrester. He, in turn, was impressed by our fitness, knowledge
and appropriate footwear! RWW
