Haskayne Cutting Volunteering Project

A surprising diversity of habitats has developed since 1952. Open water, marsh, acid and calcareous grassland contribute to the attraction . Patches of heather appear indicating a more acid, dry, sandy soil. 60 species of birds have been noted on Haskayne (37 are thought to breed on site) and 14 butterfly species recorded. Volunteers to carry out a programme of scrub control where overgrown scrub invading the marsh areas is cut back and coppiced so marsh flowers are not enveloped by the scrub. The grassland needs to be cut regularly and removed to prevent nutrient build up and the invasion of coarse grasses with the loss of wildflowers. Area of woodland requires thinning and 400 metres of hedgerow gapping up. The entrance point clearing and enhancing with interpretation and entrance sign. 500m of footpath improved through cutting at the site of the old station to form part of a 4km circular walk. Steps are required to connect with a public right of way.