Watch Steve's presentation on the Red River Valley:
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Great Wheal Seton is perhaps the most important site along the Red River Valley Local Nature Reserve. Thanks to the legacy of its Tin Streaming past it has evolved into a rich mosaic of wetland habitats which support a diverse range of dragonflies & damselflies, including nationally significant populations of Small Red and Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies. The Red River Rescuers have worked hard to keep this vital reservoir of species in good condition with regular scrub bashing sessions to manage the habitat, and field trips to monitor populations and introduce the unique tin streaming flora & fauna to new audiences. However, this wetland gem has harboured a problem for all the 45+ years that I have known it as a key dragonfly site. The northern end of the complex has always been really difficult to access unless you are happy with the prospect of clambering up on to a narrow section of wall that has a 2 metre drop to the Red River on one side and a 1.5 metre drop down to a deep section of pool on the other. It was off putting to many volunteers & visitors, and obviously had safety implications for the mid-section of the site. So during a visit to Great Wheal Seton in the summer of 2022 I was chatting with Ben Clitherow, a really supportive and helpful member of the team at Cornish Metals and he suggested that if ever we had a small project that needed some manpower along the LNR, Cornish Metals would be more than happy to come along and provide some muscle. I immediately suggested constructing a stone walkway across the section of pool, at the base of the wall, that was at the root of our access problems. My idea was to collect stone from the scree slope that overlooks the site and use it as hardcore for a walkway. Ben jumped at the idea and when all the stars finally aligned at the beginning of 2024 we jumped into action. During our January scrub bashing session our Red River Rescuers volunteers cleared the pathways to give wheelbarrow access to the supply of stones that we needed to transport across the width of the site. Once that was done, I met Gavin Henderson, the CORMAC Countryside Ranger, on site in late January to talk through the proposal and get permission to carry out the work. Gavin was very supportive and gave us his seal of approval for the work, so I set a date with Ben, and on a sunny 7th March 2024, Jo Poland & I joined 9 volunteers from Cornish Metals at the reserve for a taste of heavy rock redistribution. We split our team into two, with Ben & Jo heading a group on the higher level collecting the rock and another team feeding me with stone at the lower level as the new walkway inched it’s way across the edge of the pool. It wasn’t long before I had two wellies full of water, which if nothing else, proved the need for a walkway!
Larger rocks were used to gain a foothold in the tailings at the bottom of the pool and medium sized rocks were used to key in those larger rocks, while adding height. Finally that was topped off with smaller gravel size stones that just broke the surface of the winter water levels. In a little under 4 hours, it was job done! A one-metre-wide path already to go for the summer ahead! No more climbing along the wall! It was another great day on the reserve, especially when the Cornish Metals crew wheeled out the pasties at lunchtime! What could be better than enjoying our national dish, carrying out a very Cornish activity, in an iconic Cornish landscape! This was such a brilliant little project that will make a big difference to the way people will safely access the site, and all with virtually no visual impact on the site & habitat. I would like to say a massive thank you to Ben Clitherow and the team from Cornish Metals: Jodie Bawden (geologist), Chris Salway (geologist), Liana Dunstone (ESG Manager), Ross Carter (accountant), Lauren Beveridge (resource geologist), Andy Pix (mining engineer), and Pete Mogridge (geologist). We were also lucky to have Maddie Bawden photographing our work party as part of her photography course. The whole team were so enthusiastic & friendly and such a great group to work with, a real credit to Cornish Metals. Ben in particular has been such a great friend to the Red River Rescuers and made sure that our idea became a reality despite some major challenges along the way. I should also mention Lynn Jones who, as always came along and helped me with some clearance work a few days before construction day. I hope to see you all there in July for the BDS Meeting when “Ben’s Walkway” will be put through it’s paces! Steve Jones, 15th March 2024 We were delighted to have been asked by Emma Scotney, Ecologist for South West Lakes Trust, to carry out two dragonfly surveys at Crowdy Reservoir marsh, in return for a generous donation to our group that would cover the purchase of a complete set of new tools for our conservation work. Considering the location of Crowdy Reservoir right up on Bodmin Moor exposed to the harshest elements that Cornwall's weather can throw at it, the variety of habitat and sheer numbers of insects and other fauna was unexpected and the group had a busy and very interesting time exploring the site and recording all the species spotted. We have hopefully added dozens if not hundreds of entries to the County records as well as given the South West Lakes Trust a good base from which to monitor the diversity of the site in years to come. Photos from Anne, Kevin, Jo, Shaun and Gary. Following the wonderful donation from Western Power Distribution to allow us to buy much needed tools, local company MacSalvors Ltd of Agar Road, Pool were pleased to supply all the equipment we needed at very keen prices which allowed us to buy extra items with the money, effectively an additional sponsorship for which we are very grateful! Red River Rescuers are now fully kitted out with brand new bowsaws and spare blades, loppers, hedge trimmers and 30 pairs of very thick leather gloves, all perfect for dealing with the brambles, gorse and willow that are rapidly obliterating large areas of the Red River Valley Local Nature Reserve. We were also able to purchase two very nice tool boxes to keep all this lovely new kit in! It is heartwarming that Western Power Distribution and MacSalvors Ltd were both very keen to support a local community project, with both companies only a stones throw from the Red River Valley sites and both recognising that this vital wild area would be lost without their contributions and our volunteers efforts. In the photo MacSalvors Shop Manager Paul hands Red River Rescuers Treasurer Gary Barlow the last of the new bowsaws that were put straight to work the next morning at the Bell Lake Marsh work party (See photos from the day in our gallery). You can visit the MacSalvors Ltd website here ( MacSalvors Ltd ) and find out about Western Power Distributions commitment to the environment "Keen to be Green" via their website here ( Western Power Distribution ) |