Battling the blizzards at Yorkshire Dales Nature Reserve
18 January 2010
Find out how Natural England staff have been coping with the recent arctic weather conditions at the Ingleborough National Nature Reserve.
Recent picture postcard scenes of the snow covered Yorkshire Dales landscape paint a picture of serene tranquillity. But life goes on for the hardy folk who live in these wonderful surroundings and it can be especially tough for those battling the elements to ensure conservation work is completed.
Natural England’s Ingleborough National Nature Reserve nestles 1,500 feet up near the summit of the famous peak, who’s name it shares. The reserves base at Colt Park is normally a hive of activity at this time of year, with workers busily going about their daily duties. However, in recent weeks the severe weather has made work quite difficult. Workers have endured freezing temps since 16th December and road access to the reserve has been cut off by drifting snow for all but a few days since then.
The reserves 17 strong herd of native breed cattle have remained out on Ingleborough throughout the arctic conditions. Workers managed to get a small amount of supplementary hay out to the herd each day and they have endured the extreme conditions in good health throughout, despite the fact that surface water and drinking troughs have been frozen for weeks on end. These animals undertake conservation grazing on the Reserve all year round. They are up to 6 years old and have retained a good layer of fat which has help them survive and thrive where modern lean continental breeds would suffer badly in such prolonged cold temperatures.
Some workers actually resorted to gaining access on skis in order to carry out essential work in some remote areas. Even Tess, the reserve sheep dog got in on the act. She has enjoyed being out in the snow and has been most useful in searches for buried sheep which have become trapped in drifts. The neighbouring farmers who graze sheep on the reserve and the slopes of Ingleborough have been working non- stop for weeks now to ensure the welfare of their flocks during this exceptional winter and have even found time to help us out by delivering fodder for us.
Despite the roads being suitable only for four wheel drive vehicles throughout the Christmas holiday period, the reserve has been accessible to the public as the Settle-Carlisle Railway has maintained a service to Ribblehead Station, a five minute walk/ski from the reserve entrance.
Natural England’s Andrew Hinde said: ‘The wilderness landscape that draws visitors to the Yorkshire Three Peaks area has never looked finer than it has in recent weeks. As the flora and fauna of the reserve are buried in a blanket of silent snow the landscape and geological features take centre stage as they become highlighted by brilliant low angled sunlight. By next week we hope to have a water supply and access road restored. But winter is not over yet, it’s a long time until spring in the upland Dales’.
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Notes to editors: For further information contact Howard Botting, 0300 060 2035, 07786 028824, howard.botting@naturalengland.org.uk
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public:
We establish and care for England’s main wildlife sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.
We run England’s Environmental Stewardship green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
