This summer the Colourful Coast partnership is excited to be returning to Birkhams Quarry, just outside Whitehaven, to help restore wildflower grasslands. And there’s an opportunity for you to get involved too.
As part of their planning permission Marshalls Stancliffe Stone, which operates the sandstone quarry, is required to restore areas back to grassland once they have finished being worked for stone. For the last few years the Colourful Coast partnership have been visiting the site with volunteers to help with the maintenance and restoration.
Project Officer Sophie Badrick says “It’s great to be able to get local people involved with restoring and caring for the site. We usually spend a short time removing plants such as bracken, nettle, dock and thistle that, if left unchecked, might take over and shade out wildflowers and grasses. Then we record all the species we find. So far we’ve recorded over 50 wildflower species, including birds foot trefoil, mouse-ear, common vetch and cuckoo flower.”
There will be three visits to the site this summer with the first taking place next week on Wednesday 12th June from 10am until 1pm. The Colourful Coast team will provide all the tools and guides that are needed and anyone who wants to come along should meet at 10am in the car park outside the West Cumbria Mining offices/Haig Mining Museum.
Sophie added: “The site is developing nicely and the variety of species that have already established is encouraging. Anyone can get involved, you don’t need to be an expert to come along. We can’t guarantee the weather but it’s a great chance to see a different part of this wonderful coastline.”
Anyone who wants to get involved or would like more information should email Sophie.badrick@nationaltrust.org.uk or phone 07342088015
