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Home >> Biodiversity
>> Conservation >> Habitats
Conservation and Introduction of Habitats
Angel of the North Fishing Lakes is working to ensure the protection of existing habitats and the introduction of new habitats. A range of techniques are being used and are detailed below.
A range of bird boxes shall be erected in selected locations on site to encourage declining species such as house sparrows. Arisings from trimming, coppicing, laying and pollarding will be left in selected areas to form ‘habitat piles’.
New and existing hedgerows on site will have side growth trimmed to encourage bushy side re-growth and top cut when the hedge has reached a height of 1.8 - 2.0m. Hedge cutting will not take place during the nesting season and will be phased to ensure a continuous source of food.
Angel of the North Fishing Lakes will be planting a range of recommended plants to support bumblebees and other nectar feeding insects as part of the full landscaping plans for the site. The full planting list is available under 'plants'.
Several cutting regimes will be used for the grassed areas depending on the species grown or habitat requirement e.g. cutting in September/October ensures maximum time for plants to flower and set seed or some rougher areas could be cut every other year, leaving standing cover for over wintering insects.
The once common water vole has suffered a dramatic decline of up to 90% in recent years. As part of the Water Vole Recovery Project the land around the lakes and stream will be managed to encourage the introduction of this much loved species. While areas around the site may look a little unkempt this is because strips of uncut vegetation will be left on bank sides to provide food and shelter for the voles.
In addition, the island in Bowes Lake has been set aside for wildlife and the only access will be via boat.
