Summer Newsletter 2014
Refuge, reservoir,
sponge, water
filter, regulator
Our Lakeland
mountains are so
much more than
landscapes to walk
through, they are
important habitats
for a range of
species.
Native Sundew on top of Bowness Knott
Red squirrels. Our red squirrel monitoring and grey squirrel trapping programme is well
under way. We have caught two grey squirrels which is great. Please let us know if you see a grey
squirrel in the valley so we can target our work effectively. wildennerdale.co.uk/wildlife/redsquirrels/ Funding for this years programme is provided by Red Squirrels Northern England,
Forestry Commission and Banrock Station.
Looking down the new course of Ben Gill
Ben Gill. United Utilities are making great progress with works to restore Ben Gill to its original
natural course. Starting at the top of the hill where the gill is currently diverted into a pipe and
into the lake, work is progressing to construct a new meandering watercourse with falls and pools.
Once completed and flowing Ben Gill will once more bring valuable extra water flow and more
importantly fresh gravel to the River Ehen which is critical to the survival of the river’s rare
freshwater mussels. A new gravel bar will also be constructed where Ben Gill meets the River Ehen
which will help guide fish through the upgraded fish pass. Finally a new footbridge will be provided
across Ben Gill so that visitors can continue to enjoy the walk down to and around the lake.
Larch trees dying on Lingmell
Why are the larch trees going brown?
Some of our larch trees are being affected
by the destructive Phytophthora Ramorum disease. In response we have had to fell some trees
and treat others with a herbicide stem application which is causing them to turn brown as they
die. The timber is still usable and the most accessible trees will be felled and extracted later this
year once the public road into the valley is suitable again for timber haulage. Whilst we are sad to
lose our larch trees the forest is already regenerating with rowan, birch and holly and we are
going to help this natural process by planting around 100,000 native trees within the areas of
treated larch over the next few years. forestry.gov.uk/pestsanddiseases. Help us prevent the
disease spreading by removing mud from your boots and conifer needles from your clothing
before leaving Ennerdale. wildennerdale.co.uk/managing/forest/
Looking along the new path
Ennerdale Views.
In partnership with Ennerdale and Kinniside Parish Council and the Lake
District National Park a new trail is now open around Broadmoor at the west end of the Lake.
Starting from Bleach Green car park the trail is a “miles without stiles” route built to an all abilities
standard and will include a number of new seats. A new 400m section of path gives people the
opportunity to walk through a young native woodland, with great views of Crag Fell, and avoids
the need to walk along the road. Many thanks to the project funders Cumbria Waste Management
Environment Trust, Copeland Community Fund, Forestry Commission, Ennerdale and Kinniside
Parish Council, Lake District National Park, Wild Ennerdale and Whitehaven Ramblers.
Wild Ennerdale.
is a partnership of people and organisations led by the Forestry
Commission, National Trust, United Utilities and Natural England. The Wild Ennerdale Partners are
allowing the landscape to evolve naturally with reducing human intervention and invite you
to explore this unique valley and experience its special sense of wildness. wildennerdale.co.uk