News
Report for DAS Newsletter - Spring 2019
Our priorities for the next 5 years have been defined in our Management Plan, 2018, and include the building of an Otter Holt, measures to preserve the swamp, further scrub clearance, continuing autumn grazing, and digging a shallow pond. There will be an opportunity to discuss these with members of the management group at our on-site meeting on Monday 8 April.
We have had tremendous help from Chris Vaughan, a local resident, in setting up a new website which we hope will go live in April. This has proved to be a difficult and time consuming project and we are most grateful to Chris for his knowledge, skill and enthusiasm, and for his patience in involving members of the management group.
We are very fortunate to have two new members of the group, Jo Watson and Mick Connell, both of whom live in the village and are very familiar with the nature reserve. Jo is negotiating the issue of the otter holt, and Mick has arranged our events programme.
MUNIO Project - Swamp clearance at Darley and Nutwood Nature Reserve
MUNIO Project - Swamp clearance at Darley and Nutwood Nature Reserve
As part of the flood works in Derby, the MUNIO Project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), will be carrying out tree clearance in the swamp area as per the Darley and Nutwood Local Nature Reserve Management Plan. We hope this will go some way toward preserving this habitat. Works will involve invasive tree removal, coppicing hazel, cutting back encroaching trees and using cuttings to make brash piles and windrows. Works are due to take place week commencing 11 March and they will be guided by an Environmental Clerk of Works.
Southern driveway re-surfacing
The southern driveway leading to the nature reserve is soon to be resurfaced. It will include passing places and also new fishing platforms. We hope to extend the stone surface up through the cattle corral and to the water container at the request of DWT to improve access for the farmer.
Wildlife sensitive area
You may have noticed a fenced off area along the riverside pathway. This was put in place last year to isolate a patch of Japanese Knotweed while it is being treated using specialist methods. The fencing will remain in place until further notice.
Another invasive non-native species 'Himilayan balsam' is also present on the nature reserve. This can be removed and disposed of manually and this year we will be concentrating on the area alongside the swamp. Volunteers are welcome so please come along to our Balsam bash event which usually takes place in June (date tbc).
