Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s beautiful nature reserve at Clarborough Tunnel, had the greatest influx of visitors in its history on the first Sunday in June. Twenty members of the Trust assembled for the Tim Bowles Memorial Walk, an annual event that honours the work of a former chair of the Retford Local Group.
Clarborough Tunnel is a quiet and relatively remote reserve, an SSSI that owes much of its special qualities to the construction of the Sheffield to Lincoln railway line in 1849. It is a mixture of scrub, woodland and flower rich grassland. The grassland was a particular delight on this sunny Sunday afternoon with drifts of ox-eye daisies, bird’s foot trefoil and wild roses to be enjoyed. Members busied themselves photographing some of the variety of wild orchids which included early purples, twayblades, pyramidal orchids and the beautiful bee orchids.
Rob Atkinson, the Trust’s Northern Reserve Officer, led the walk. He explained how the site and its vegetation had evolved following the construction of the railway line, how it would continue to evolve and the benefits of conservation. He also told us how the different areas of the reserve support different types of wildlife.
Judging by comments made on the walk, members really appreciated the opportunity to enjoy two of the Trust’s most valuable assets — a beautiful nature reserve and a knowledgeable and entertaining guide.
For more information on local group activities or to sign up for local group email alerts, contact Jan on 01777 709974 or email jan_williamson@tiscali.co.uk.