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Headlines from week beginning 16 May 2016 |
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A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
Wildlife Trust calls on health sector to develop a sustainable funding
model for natural therapies - Nottinghamshire
Wildlife Trust Mental Health Awareness week is upon us (16-22nd May 2016), but for
local award-winning mental health project - Recovery - based at
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Idle Valley reserve, there is little to
celebrate. The project, which won Environmental Community of the Year
category at last year’s Nottingham Post Environmental Awards, is to be
closed due to lack of funding. The project, which is open to anyone in Bassetlaw with mental health
issues, maintains the vegetable garden at the Idle Valley Nature Reserve
and provides the bustling café there with fresh produce. Its activities
range far beyond gardening, however, with bee-keeping, willow-weaving,
tree-planting and other conservation activities all on the programme. The benefits to participants are significant. Andy, who attends
regularly, commented ‘I like to come and be active and do something
useful. Better than sitting at home thinking about things’. The sessions
provide a break from routine, and often from caring responsibilities,
and a sociable and supportive working environment. Fresh air and
exercise work their magic and the sense of satisfaction from having done
a good day’s work is a boost to self-esteem for participants. The project is highly regarded by local mental health professionals
who make referrals in the knowledge that their own services are likely
to be used less as a result, saving the NHS vital funding. Job-seekers
may also be referred, and acquire new skills which can open up
employment opportunities.
New report links toxins to whale strandings and low fertility levels
- WDC A new study, to be released this week by the Institute of Zoology in
London, will reveal high toxin levels in large numbers of dead whales,
dolphins and porpoises that have stranded on shores around Europe. Scientists involved in the research warn that samples from the 1,081
marine mammals studied indicate that the accumulation of these deadly
toxins may cause the strandings, and drastically lower fertility levels.
It is thought that pollutants such as flame retardants and PCBs,
man-made compounds used widely in electrical equipment until the 1970s,
suppress the immune system, making the animals become distressed from
multiple bacterial, parasitic and other infections. This new report follows another by scientists at Aberdeen University
released in February , which found very high levels of chemical
toxins in the bodies of a pod of whales stranded in Scotland three years
ago. That study suggested that chemicals could have been a factor in the
whales navigating off course.
Second ever sighting of arctic bowhead whale in UK waters
- Sea Watch Foundation The unidentified animal was seen close to shore at Marazion, near
Penzance, in Cornwall, by regular marine mammal observer and medic, Dave
Jarvis of BDMLR. Local boat operators, Marine Discovery Penzance, were
on hand to go to sea and check out the report, and after initial
thoughts that it might be a humpback whale, on-board whale researcher
Marijke De Boer suspected that the animal was in fact a bowhead whale,
making only its second appearance in UK waters in modern times. With excellent images having been widely circulated, Sea Watch
Foundation were able to add to the confirmation that this Mount’s Bay
animal was indeed a bowhead whale and a very significant sighting
indeed! The first sighting of this species was just last year when a
mystery whale was sighted off the Isles of Scilly. Back in February
2015, Sea Watch Foundation led a world-wide discussion into the
identification of this particular visitor and were able to confirm with
arctic whale experts that the first bowhead whale for the UK and in
fact, elsewhere in Europe (south of the Barents Sea) had been recorded
in Cornwall. This time around, the photographic evidence is much clearer and such
international collaboration was not needed to confirm the species. One
clear diagnostic tool was a short video taken by Marine Discovery, which
shows the double blow associated with the bowhead whale. This new sighting may well be the same individual as was seen off St
Martin’s on the Isles of Scilly last year. It is impossible to confirm,
given the quality of the initial images. With close views, bowhead
whales can be individually identified by looking at natural marks and
callouses which build up over time.
More images on Marine Discovery's facebook page
All-new peregrine TV and signs at easier-to-find NNR
- Scottish Natural Heritage Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has unveiled a nest camera trained on
a nearby peregrine falcon nest as part of an upgrade at Craigellachie
National Nature Reserve (NNR) near Aviemore. Along with the nest-cam, a small interpretive display has been set up
within Aviemore Youth Hostel run by SYHA Hostelling Scotland (SYHA). Visitors will also find it easier to navigate their way to the NNR
after new and improved signs provided by SNH were installed at the south
end of Grampian Road at the entrance track to the youth hostel. Peter Duncan, SNH’s reserves manager for the area, said: “We have
known for some time that finding Craigellachie is a bit of a challenge
for visitors. The reserve boasts an array of wildlife and precious
habitats, which we would like more people to enjoy. To showcase the
attractions the NNR has to offer we struck up a partnership with SYHA to
install a small interpretive display and signage to guide visitors to
the tunnel entrance and on to the reserve. And for the more energetic,
the viewpoint path allows those who make it to the top a spectacular
vista of the Cairngorms and you can see why you are also in a National
Park.”
Meet the UK’s newest birdwatching hide – it’s got 16 sides!
- Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Britain’s newest birdwatching hide is a 16-sided wooden gazebo with
“surround sight” lagoon views, a close-up kingfisher pool, and a
wildlife-friendly roof at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s (WWT)
Washington Wetland Centre. The hide’s roof is built with interlocking beams in a circle so that,
with no need for pillars, there is more room for visiting groups and
families to move about, and for turning circles for pushchairs and
wheelchairs. The roof is covered in plants which will
attract insects and birds. It also acts as a sound insulator so that
people can talk behind panoramic windows without disturbing the birds.
The hide looks across the River Wear, a lagoon and a reedbed as well as
the newly created kingfisher pool. At high tides the lagoon fills with
saltwater from the river to form a regionally rare saltmarsh habitat. The lagoon is visited by wild otters, seals, roe deer, breeding
oystercatchers, grey herons and much more – including avocets who used
to depart quite quickly after breeding, but since the lagoon was
completed in 2013 they now linger in the area.
First nest on new platform at Kielder Water and Forest Park
- Forestry Commission
This week it was confirmed that a pair of Ospreys have laid eggs on a
new nesting platform at Kielder Water and Forest Park. Installed in 2015
by a Kielder Wildlife Ranger, the 4th platform was visited by a pair of
birds in 2015 but there was no nest established until now. Tom Dearnley, Forestry Commission Ecologist explains: “Sometimes it
can take a while for the Osprey to create a nest; the 3rd nesting
platform at Kielder took a few years to establish. We are really
excited that eggs have been laid and if all goes well with nesting, the
chicks will be fitted with colour rings, so they can be identified.” Bird DNA shows inbreeding linked to shorter lifespan - University of East Anglia Pieces of DNA that predict lifespan are shorter in birds that are
inbred – according to new research from the University of East Anglia
(UEA). The findings, published today, mean that inbreeding could be linked
to a shorter lifespan. The team also found effects that spanned generations – with the young
of inbred mothers also being negatively affected. The DNA pieces in question, known as telomeres, are found in almost
all animals and act as protective caps at each end of a chromosome -
providing protection from damaging substances. Lead author of the research Kat Bebbington, a PhD student in UEA’s
School of Biological Sciences,
said: “Telomeres are a bit like the hard plastic ends of a boot lace.
Over time, they get broken down and become shorter because they absorb
all the damage experienced during life. The rate at which this
happens reflects how much stress the body is under – and importantly,
how long it can continue to function." Previous research from UEA revealed that the length of an animal’s
telomeres predicts its biological age and how long it will live.
However, this new research is the first to suggest that inbreeding -
mating between related individuals - is linked to shorter telomeres in
their young. The scientists showed that the effect of inbreeding on telomeres is
mainly found in stressful situations – such as when food is scarce. This
may explain why not all studies show a negative effect of inbreeding,
but by using telomeres it is possible to pick up these subtle
relationships. “We also found a very interesting trans-generational effect,” said
Research Team Leader Prof David S Richardson. “The more inbred a mother
is, the greater the telomere shortening in her young. This could be
because more inbred mothers are less able to provide for their offspring
– either in terms of investment in the egg, or during early life. This
in turn would make the offspring’s life experience more stressful, or
make them less able to deal with the stress, leading to a more rapid
shortening of their telomeres." The research team say that in a world where many animal species are
declining or even limited to captive zoo populations, the influence of
inbreeding is vitally important for conservation. This newly-discovered link between inbreeding and telomere length
could provide a simple way for researchers and zookeepers to monitor the
genetic make-up of their animals and ensure they live long and healthy
lives. Access the paper: Kat Bebbington, Lewis
G. Spurgin, Eleanor A. Fairfield, Hannah L. Dugdale, Jan Komdeur, Terry
Burke, David S. Richardson.
Telomere length reveals cumulative individual and transgenerational
inbreeding effects in a passerine bird. Molecular Ecology, 2016;
DOI: 10.1111/mec.13670
The health benefits of gardens (including active gardening) are broad
and diverse according to the evidence brought together for the first
time in this report. It suggests that they can play a role in promoting
good health and preventing ill-health, with potential long-term
implications for healthcare costs. In a wide-ranging review, it shows
how access to gardens has been linked to:
Gardens are an extraordinary national resource. Nearly 90% of UK
households have a garden and half the population are gardeners. But we
could do much more to nurture and maximise the contribution gardens make
to enhancing people’s health. Currently the formal use of gardens in
England’s health and social care system remains very limited, despite
the promising results from a range of interventions, including GPs
‘social prescribing’ gardening, and garden projects in hospices. Read the King's Fund Report, Gardens And Health: Implications for policy and practice here (PDF)
Bird sighting is a first for Lancashire? -
Lancashire Wildlife Trust
A bird of prey spotted flying over Brockholes nature reserve could be
a first for Lancashire according to experts. The pallid harrier was spotted by birder Bill Aspin as it was chased
by four crows across The Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside
reserve. Bill was intrigued by the bird. He said: “The structure of the
harrier was not that of a marsh harrier, by far the most regularly
encountered harrier species at Brockholes, with close to 50 records
since 1998." He was able to get a good view of the bird face on
and said: “I could easily discern a striking head pattern; in particular
a really obvious pale collar. The head pattern alone was enough for
alarm bells to ring.” Bill managed to get some photographs but the whole encounter only
last two to three minutes. After reviewing his photographs Bill was able to eliminate a couple
of birds from his search for the bird’s identity and reveal that it was
in fact a pallid harrier – if confirmed it will be the first recorded
sighting in Lancashire and the North West. The birder who is often seen at Brockholes and is one of the top
experts on the reserve, admitted he was shaking with excitement. Brockholes Events and Communications Manager Sarah Leach said: “This
is an amazing species to add to the list of wildlife that has been seen
at Brockholes. It is fantastic that this could be a ‘first’ for
Lancashire and the North West and we would be happy if this pallid
harrier popped back more often to the reserve. Bill Aspin and
other naturalists and our volunteers spend a lot of time out on the
reserve. They are our eyes and ears when rare wildlife visits. But you
don’t have to be an expert to see the fantastic birds, mammals,
butterflies, dragonflies and plants that we have here.”
Could you be our farming hero? National Trust offers £1m coastal farm
for just a pound a year The keys to a £1m farm and the future of a precious landscape could
be in your hands for just a pound a year, as long as you’ve a passion
for nature, people, and a lot of sheep. Last year the National Trust stepped in to protect the rare and
fragile landscape of the Great Orme in Llandudno, North Wales. The
conservation charity is now offering the lease on that land for just a
pound to ensure it can recover, thrive and give a potential shepherding
star a helping hand to start out in farming. This unique £1 tenancy follows on from the announcement of the
conservation charity’s new ten year vision, aimed at reversing the
alarming decline in wildlife –
60
per cent in the past 50 years – and finding long term solutions to
help nurse the countryside back to health and deliver for nature. In buying Parc Farm at the Orme’s summit and the associated grazing
rights over the majority of the headland, the National Trust has taken
on the means to ensure the survival of its internationally rare habitats
and species; some of which exist nowhere else on earth. Extensive research by the charity and its conservation partners at
the Orme has shown the special needs of this coastal headland require a
nature-first approach which may go against the grain of some modern
farming methods. “Unless we implement a very specific grazing regime we will not see
these most fragile habitats recover,” said General Manager William
Greenwood “Put simply, to ensure a healthy and beautiful landscape
we need the most agriculturally productive pastureland to be grazed
less, and the least agriculturally productive grassland to be grazed
more.” This unconventional farming method of regularly moving sheep means
long hours shepherding on often difficult terrain, while also working
around the 600,000 visitors to the Great Orme each year. William added: “For the benefit of the Orme we’re looking for a
tenant who sees a productive farm as one which maintains healthy
wildlife and encourages visitors to act for nature, as well as produce
good, healthy food. And to give them a head start and the best
chance of success, we’re taking away the financial pressure of having to
cover the rent for the farm, the grazing rights and the farmhouse each
year.” Not only will the 10 year Farm Business Tenancy be offered at just a
£1 a year to help the new farmer – less than the cost of two second
class stamps – but Conservation Charity Plantlife has also pledged to
buy the new tenant the flock of sheep needed to graze the Great Orme. Colin Cheeseman, Head of Plantlife Cymru, said: “Plantlife is
delighted to be working in partnership with The National Trust and Conwy
County Borough Council to provide the sheep which will help to revive
the special limestone grasslands and heathlands to their former glory by
grazing."
New maps show the West of England’s natural assets, as never seen before
On Wednesday 18 May, the West of England Nature Partnership (WENP)
unveiled a series of innovative maps that show the most important
environmental areas in the West of England. The maps illustrate where the local stock of natural capital assets
and shows how green space is vital for things such as better water
quality, local flood protection and pollination. The maps are designed
to inform local decision making and help ensure that the West of England
remains green and nature-rich place to live and visit. The maps, known as ‘ecosystem service maps’ are the first time that
nature’s services have been mapped and analysed in the West of England.
Ecosystem services are the benefits that people get from nature, such as
composting, air and water cleaning services, as well as for recreation
opportunities. The maps were created using over 200 datasets and show
where the nature is working to support our economy and society. Matthew Heard, Area Manager for Natural England and WENP board member
said “these innovative new maps will help enable growth and prosperity
in the West of England that works with nature not against it. The maps
will help make sure that the West of England remains a fantastic place
to live and work. The West of England Nature Partnership (WENP) is using
data and new technology to highlight the value of the environment.”
Chewing gum cleaner used to weed wetland! -
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
A wetland nature reserve has found a novel use for a machine that
usually cleans chewing gum and graffiti from towns and streets. WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Lancashire is using the
Cardley-Wave machine to eradicate aquatic non-native weeds from its
wetlands, while protecting its native wildlife. The machine sprays a targeted jet of hot water – a bit like a carpet
cleaner – which can also be used to kill individual weeds. Unlike
chemical-based weed killers, there is no danger of other wetland plants
and animals like irises, dragonflies or frogs being affected by any
chemical run-off into the wetland. Invasive non-native species are estimated to cost the UK economy at
least £1.7bn per year. For example a species like creeping water
primrose would usually compete for space across the huge Pantanal
wetland in South America, but when released into a small English stream
it can easily overrun native plants and pond life and starve them of
oxygen, light and space. The machine is widely used by local authorities on the continent for street cleaning, including clearing weeds on pavements – which sparked WWT’s interest. It’s the first time the machine has been used for environmentally friendly weeding at a nature reserve in England.
Great British Bee Count: A nation of bee lovers, but survey shows most
people can’t recognise a honey bee - Friends
of the Earth
People are being urged to take part in the Great British Bee Count,
and find out more about Britain’s bees, after a new survey found most of
us can’t recognise a honey bee - despite recent surveys showing the
public are very concerned about the plight of Britain’s bees. Thousands of people are expected to take part in the Great British
Bee Count 2016 which launches today (19/5/16), and is backed by TV
presenter Michaela Strachan. The Great British Bee Count is
organised by Friends of the Earth, with support from Buglife, and
sponsorship from Waitrose. The Great British Bee Count aims to help people find out more about
the incredible diversity of bee species in Britain (over 250), the
threats they face, and what they can do to help them. Using a free app,
people can record the bees they spot in their gardens, parks, schools
and countryside. Over 100,000 individual bee sightings were recorded
last year. Although surveys indicate public concern for bees, 43 per
cent of those questioned mistakenly chose a bumblebee when asked to
identify a honey bee. A third (33 per cent) correctly chose a honeybee. Friends of the Earth is encouraging people to get outside in the next
few weeks and find out more about the huge number of bee species in the
UK, and the crucial role they play pollinating our wild plants, garden
flowers and crops. The Great British Bee Count takes place 19 May-30 June 2016. Sign up for the free app at www.greatbritishbeecount.co.uk Good news for biodiversity from the world’s oldest ecological experiment at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden - Rothamsted Research Rothamsted Research hosts event to celebrate 160th anniversary of the
Park Grass Experiment in Harpenden and highlight recent findings In 1856, two Victorian scientists created the Park Grass Experiment
in Harpenden to find out how different fertilisers affect hay yields.
Running continuously since 1856, Park Grass is the world’s oldest
ecological experiment and this year marks its 160th anniversary. To
celebrate the anniversary and recent findings from the experiment,
Rothamsted Research hosted an event on Tuesday 18th May for the public
to discuss the global importance of the Park Grass Experiment and to
visit the site. Also marking the anniversary, year 10 science pupils
from Sir John Lawes School came to Rothamsted Research to visit the
experiment and learn about it from scientists at the Institute. A unique resource, world-famous in ecology and agricultural science,
the Park Grass Experiment is used today to test ideas of global
significance, putting Harpenden and Hertfordshire at the centre of these
disciplines. Last year,
using
records from Park Grass, scientists found that the diversity of
plant species at the experiment has bounced back after a peak in
atmospheric nitrogen pollution during the 1980s had caused the loss of
some species. John Lawes and Henry Gilbert devised the Park Grass Experiment to
measure hay yields obtained when using different fertilisers and
manures. The experiment was later modified to include a test of lime to
see how soil acidity influences biodiversity. Over the decades, the
various combinations of fertiliser and lime have led to dramatic
differences in plant communities found within the plots. Scientists
continue to monitor the plants growing and to collect plant and soil
samples, giving a historical record.
First osprey chick of 2016 hatches at Loch of the Lowes
- Scottish Wildlife Trust The first osprey chick of the season has hatched at the Scottish
Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve near Dunkeld this
afternoon (18 May 2016). The chick started to peck its way out at around 3am this morning (18
May 2016) and emerged at 3:18 pm after a long wait for the watching
volunteers and webcam viewers. It is the 79th egg to hatch at Loch of
the Lowes since the Osprey Protection Programme started in 1969. Charlotte Fleming, Perthshire Ranger, Scottish Wildlife Trust said:
“The chick gave us an anxious 12 hours wait as the crack in the shell
got slowly bigger and bigger so we were delighted when it finally
hatched out this afternoon. Our volunteers have been watching the nest
very closely after the first glimpse of a tiny hole in one of the eggs
at half past three this morning. It just goes to show that the hatching
of osprey chicks can take a very long time!”
Mixed fortunes for seabirds in East Caithness
- Scottish Natural Heritage A new report shows a mixed picture of population increases and
declines for many seabirds in a protected natural area in East Caithness
– though with some faring better than seabirds nationally. The Scottish Natural Heritage report on the East Caithness
Cliffs Special Protection Area (SPA) found that there has been an
increase in the numbers of razorbills, great black-backed gulls and
European Shags since the previous count in 1999. It appears that 2015
was a good year for breeding seabirds and that this resulted in some
particularly high counts. Unfortunately, during the same period, a number of seabirds have
declined, including northern fulmars, herring gulls, common guillemots
and black-legged kittiwakes. Nationally, after two decades of decreasing numbers, there are early
signs of hope for some seabirds over the last two years; however, there
are regional variations. At East Caithness Cliffs, the increases in
numbers are generally larger and the decreases tend to be less than
those recorded for some seabirds nationally. Alex Robbins, SNH marine ornithologist, commented: “This is good news
for some seabirds in Caithness, and mirrors improved numbers that have
been reported nationally for many seabirds earlier this year." Access the full report, Seabird Counts at East Caithness Cliffs SPA for Marine Renewable Casework
Lake District unites to declare: ‘I’ve herd’ about World Heritage bid
- Lake District National Park This year’s Keswick Mountain Festival (Friday May 20) will mark the
start of a rally call to all who love the region to unite in their
support for the Lake District World Heritage bid by declaring ‘I’ve
herd’. ‘I’ve herd’ is part of a campaign to raise awareness about the Lake
District National Park Partnerships bid for World Heritage status.
Thanks to the support from the lead commercial collaboration partner,
the Herdy Company, people will be able to spread the word through a
range of exclusive ‘I’ve herd’ shopping tote bags, badges and car
stickers, which will be given away as prizes at shows and festivals
across Cumbria this summer. Head of People and Communications for the Lake District National
Park, Jayne Pugh, said: “The ‘I’ve herd’ message is about increasing
word of mouth as to why the Lake District is so special it deserves the
coveted World Heritage Status. We are asking people to share why they
love the Lake District and their support for World Heritage status by
saying ‘I’ve herd – have you?’ Not only will this create a real buzz
about the Lake District during the summer, but it also shows the UNESCO
assessors the support for this spectacular place to gain the
international recognition it deserves.”
Black terns delight birders - Lancashire
Wildlife Trust
A pair of migrants has been welcomed by visitors to a Lancashire
beauty spot. And birders are watching with interest to see if the
black terns spotted at Mere Sands Wood, in Rufford, will hang around
through spring and summer. While it is unlikely that the two terns
will breed in the UK, they are an unusual sighting in this part of the
world. Mere Sands Wood Reserve Officer Ian Wright said: “We have seen two
black terns on the Twin Lakes. They are likely to be on spring passage
from west or southern Africa to breeding sites in eastern Europe or the
Balkans. What we have seen is typical ‘passage’ behaviour, feeding over
water on a freshwater lake."
Children’s outdoor learning sessions launched in Hackney
- London Wildlife Trust An outdoor education programme for local schools has been launched at
the newly-opened Woodberry Wetlands nature reserve. The Wild about
Learning sessions are supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery,
who have raised over £500,000 to help The Wildlife Trusts connect inner
city children with nature throughout 2016. In the capital this money is already helping schoolchildren in south
London get taught in an outdoor environment through the Trust’s ongoing
Wild about Learning sessions. Now these are being extended to east
London at Woodberry Wetlands in Stoke Newington, the new London Wildlife
Trust nature reserve that was recently opened by Sir David Attenborough. Wild about Learning sessions provide unique, outdoor learning
experiences that can improve children's self-esteem, confidence and
abilities. Experienced Trust staff work with primary schools to plan,
deliver and evaluate outdoor learning sessions that include minibeast
hunts, frog days, pond dipping, and a wildlife tour of the reservoir. Woodberry Wetlands is now hosting these outdoor learning sessions
with east London schoolchildren. By the end of the year the Trust aims
to work with 620 children from five different schools at Woodberry
Wetlands. Edwin Malins, community engagement officer at Woodberry Wetlands,
said: “Just days after our incredible launch party with Sir David
Attenborough we began welcoming schoolchildren to Woodberry Wetlands
thanks to the money we’ve received from players of People’s Postcode
Lottery. It means we can introduce hundreds of young people to nature
right here in east London. Outdoor education is shown to have many
beneficial effects for children’s learning, as well as being terrific
fun!”
Scientific Publication Luther, David A., Brooks, Thomas M., Butchart, Stuart H. M., Hayward,
Matt W., Kester, Marieke E., Lamoreux, John & Upgren, Amy.
Determinants of bird conservation action implementation and associated
population trends of threatened species. Conservation Biology. DOI:
10.1111/cobi.12757
Livingston, A. C., Varner, J. M., Jules, E. S., Kane, J. M. and
Arguello, L. A. (2016),
Prescribed fire and conifer removal promote positive understorey
vegetation responses in oak woodlands. J Appl Ecol. Accepted Author
Manuscript. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.12703 Nolet, B. A., Kölzsch, A., Elderenbosch, M. and van Noordwijk, A. J.
(2016),
Scaring waterfowl as a management tool: how much more do geese forage
after disturbance?. J Appl Ecol. Accepted Author Manuscript.
doi:10.1111/1365-2664.12698
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CJS is not responsible for content of external sites. Details believed correct but given without prejudice. Disclaimer: the views expressed in these news pages do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CJS. |
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The
interlocking roof means no pillars are needed (image: WWT)
Osprey
nest platform (Image: Forestry Commission)
Ecosystem
Map #5 Combined ecological networks
No,
we're not vacuuming, we're weeding! (image: WWT)
Black
tern flying over the Twin Lakes at Mere Sands Wood reserve (image:
Lancashire Wildlife Trust) 
