06/10/2005 - Wildlife lovers
could come face to face with a crocodile when
they next visit a community wildlife haven
near West Auckland.
The two-metre reptile is one of several new
seats which were carved by woodcutters for
the 11-hectare area at The Spring Gardens
Wetland Community Festival on Saturday, October
1.
More than 300 people attended the fun day
which gave people the opportunity to see how
the Environment Agency, with the help of local
residents, are creating a mosaic of wetlands.
This project is part of the Mineral Valleys
Project, which is led by English Nature and
receiving more than £90,000 from the
Heritage Lottery Fund.
The event included magic shows and music.
People could also try their hand at creating
a willow sculpture and find out how the wetland
and the nearby dam on the River Gaunless were
created.
Environment Agency officer Hazel White said:
"It was a fantastic day and it gave us
the chance to show people the wetlands and
how it will bring more wildlife to the area.
"Many people planted seeds in our wild
flower meadow and had a go at creating a willow
sculpture which we will install in the wetlands
in the next few weeks. People should also
watch out for giant insects, and of course
our gigantic crocodile when they next visit
the wetlands."
The community festival was also an opportunity
to launch a new website about the project.
The web site includes an interactive map and
a photography project which is recording the
progress of the site over three years.
People can also discover how to help the
Environment Agency monitor the animals, plants
and birds that will be visiting the site.
The website address is www.accessingwetlands.org.uk
or people can contact Hazel White on 0191
203 4238 for a wildlife recording sheet.
Spring Gardens Wetland is between Spring
Gardens and Ramshaw and includes wet woodland,
ponds, reed beds, and flower meadows. Environment
Agency officers hope the site will attract
native species such as skylarks, water voles
and toads.
The new Haggerleases Railway Path, which
runs past the wetland, has also been completed,
and is owned and managed by Durham County
Council. It follows the old Haggerleases branch
railway line between West Auckland and Ramshaw,
and provides new access to the countryside
and natural habitats.
The festival, the wetland, and the railway
path are part of Accessing Wetlands and Beyond,
a new Environment Agency project to improve
life in West Auckland and Ramshaw by enhancing
the local environment, improving access to
wildlife habitats and increasing local heritage
awareness.
