Carlton Marsh

 This morning 6 Teal, 6 Shoveler, Kingfisher, 16 Greylags with Canadas, Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail.

Also a small group of Siskins. 

The Origins of Carlton Marsh (continued)

The disputed meadow we renamed the Western Meadow, had been neglect since 2013, so our wildlife group set about manually chopping down all the Hawthorn, Willow and Birch scrub that had grown. A formidable achievement especially during the Covid Pandemic, when we had to socially distance ourselves from each other to prevent the spread of the vile disease and to comply with government dictate. Since then, we have been helped by BMBC Rangers and YWT to restore the meadow.

In 2023 YWT obtained funding to fence the meadow, so that our Parks Officer, Russ Boland could get a sheep farmer to come and graze it from the latter part of 2024. It is our intention to put cattle on during the summer months, we couldn’t in 2025 because of the severe drought.

In 2023, Dave Smith moved to Amble in Northumberland. Dave was a staunch member of our group. He co-wrote our Annual Natural History Report with me from 1983 to 2024 and spent countless hours birding and ringing here. Needless to say, his input in the data base is much missed.

The reserve has always been managed by a small group of volunteers with help from BMBC Rangers, and for the last 10 years by YWT volunteers.

Down the years we have lost people who have died, notably Robert Laverack, Steve darcy, Frank Hardy, Ernest Jobling, Brian Morton, Phil Wordsworth, Ralph Hibbert, Elaine Evans and Councillor Charles C. Wraith MBE.

Our wildlife group meets every Thursday to do management tasks to keep the site looking at its wild best. Without our dedicated wildlife observers there would be no database. Not forgetting my old friend and founder member, Keith Bannister, who diligently makes sure that the main gate to the car park is opened every morning come rain or shine, and Dave or Claire Richardson, who shut the gate every night.

There have been several officers in charge from the BMBC Parks Department to manage the site over the years, namely Eric Bennett, Geoff Carr, Philip Tierney Kitchener, Nigel Labdon, Brian Hearne, Trevor Mayne and since 2011, Russ Boland. Their role as officers for the Council has been essential for us to gain access to gain grants and Section 106 money, Green Flag and Yorkshire in Bloom Awards and a whole host of other things now help the site gain more status and protection against development to the benefit of wildlife and visitors.

If you wish to send in your sightings my email is cliff1947@hotmail.co.uk