Busy building Wingit nest boxes.
Fishermen win legal battle over polluted river
Pickering Fishery Association and environmental organisation Fish Legal took the government to the High Court arguing that DEFRA was not doing enough to address the water pollution affecting the Costa Beck near Pickering. The fishermen won the case with the Court agreeing that the government’s management plan for the river was insufficient. Although the government challenged the ruling, it has lost in the Court of Appeal.
According to Andrew Kelton of Fish Legal “This comprehensive win for us in the Court of Appeal sets out a blueprint for restoring damaged rivers across the whole country.” Read more on the BBC website
Homes for Dales Birds update
Genny and Eva from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) and Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) came to talk at the Reeth Memorial Hall about the Homes for Dales Birds project. This three year Lottery funded project run by the YDNPA and YDMT will support 4 birds; swifts, swallows, house sparrows and starlings. As well as encouraging people to make provision for these birds when refurbishing buildings and providing nesting boxes, the project also includes bird monitoring and habitat enhancement such as hedges, trees, meadows and wetlands.
As part of the project, the RSPB will be leading a walk around Reeth on 26th April, identifying both the birds and the sorts of locations which would be ideal nesting sites. The project will be funding a number of bird boxes each year and arrange for them to be put up. Anyone interested in joining the walk and/or having a box can contact the Community Conservation Officer: eva.irving@YDMT.org. You can also sign up for a newsletter detailing project developments at: Homes for House Birds | YDMT.
Anyone interested in having a box can complete a form.
Heather and grass burning in England: Government consultation
DEFRA has published a consultation paper looking at introducing new proposals to restrict heather burning on deep peat to protect air, water and wildlife. The consultation document, ‘Heather and Grass burning’ is available on the government’s website. Consultation ends 25 May 2025.
Get your hands dirty at Reeth surgery veg beds
A group of volunteers will be meeting on Thursday 1st May at 7pm to do some work on the beds at Reeth surgery. Everyone is welcome to come and help, either on the evening or at any other time. We are always looking for volunteers for a watering rota. All produce is available for anyone so do help yourself over the summer.
Stream “rewiggle” project wins UK nature prize
The RSPB has won the UK River prize, awarded by the River Restoration Centre, for their work reintroducing bends and curves into the Howgill Beck at RSPB Geltsdale near Brampton, Cumbria. The improved wetland has seen an increase in redshank and oyster catcher numbers and white common sandpipers nesting for the first time. Read the full article on the BBC website.
Don’t skip it, PONG it
Local Facebook group ‘PONG Richmond’ has been created to help rehome unwanted stuff that you’re happy to give away, and are reluctant to send to landfill. All sorts of items are listed daily from across the Richmond/Catterick/Dales areas. If you’re looking for something specific eg half a tin of varnish, you can also post a request. A great trash to treasure initiative.
No Mow May is here; more power to the flowers!
With more than 97% of flower-rich meadows lost since the 1930s, Plantlife’s annual No Mow May campaign urges everyone to pack away their lawnmowers, and let wildflowers grow freely; providing vital food and habitat needed by bees and butterflies. Even the smallest garden counts—with more than 20 million gardens across the UK, the joined up potential is huge! Find out more about the campaign and how to get involved here.
13 new sites planted as part Together for Trees’ 2024-25 season
Over the last tree planting season work has taken place on 13 sites, involving 47 volunteers, 17 events and a total of 135 volunteer days.
Three leaky dams have been created; 150m of hedge laid; over 750 tree guards removed; and 2,900 trees planted.
Work has already started for next year’s tree planting season. Sites have been visited and the process of checking for issues such as possible disruption to priority species, habitats or archaeological remains started. Sustainable Swaledale is grateful to Tees-Swale: Naturally Connected and the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust for their support in meeting the costs of trees and tree protection.
If you want to hear more about the Together for Trees project, Rob Macdonald is speaking to the Gunnerside TLC group on Thursday 22 May at 7pm, Gunnerside Village Hall. Members free: non-members £3.00.
Sustainable Swaledale’s live nest cams up and running
Have you spotted your first swallow yet? Sustainable Swaledale’s swallow nest cams are now up and running, and you can watch the live feeds from Reeth and Low Row here. (At the time of writing, one swallow has already taken up residence at the Two Dales Bakery. Fingers crossed for more!)
Bulbs and birds at Arkengarthdale Community Hub St Mary’s
The Arkengarthdale Community Hub is supporting the work of Sustainable Swaledale with a WingIt QR code post which helps with location and identification of the birds; and the newly commissioned tree sapling nursery. Please get in touch with the team if you’d like to be on the summer watering rota. Cath and Penny have also planted 500 bulbs to enhance the churchyard’s beauty so why not drop by, make yourself a brew, enjoy the spring view and get bird spotting!
Barn Owl numbers looking good
The Barn Owl Trust has just released its ‘State of the UK Barn Owl Population Report 2024’ and the numbers look good, with nesting occupancy recorded as 39% above the average. It is thought that the incredibly mild winter and spring is partly responsible for an increased number of birds surviving the winter and able to get into breeding condition early. Read more on the Barn Owl Trust website.
Take a walk on the wild side at Broughton Sanctuary
Sign up for a FREE guided walk around Broughton Sanctuary (near Skipton) in the company of its Specialist Advisor, Professor Alastair Director (former Director of Rewilding Britain). Find out more about the estate’s transformational rewilding and nature recovery plans and see how nature is bouncing back in abundance. Plus, get help IDing some of the amazing wildlife you can see here (which might even include the recently reintroduced beavers). There are two upcoming dates available: Monday 12th May and Tuesday 10th June, 10am-12.30pm. Book online here.
Strength in partnership: how collaboration drives natural flood management by Ousewem
Natural flood management (NFM) thrives on collaboration. Ousewem’s latest video demonstrates how partnerships between farmers, landowners, environmental organisations, and local authorities turn strategies into real-world action. Collaboration enhances NFM by bringing together local knowledge, pooling resources, and building community trust, ensuring solutions work on the ground.
As Ousewem continues its work across the SUNO catchments, partnerships remain central to our approach. By working together, we can:
- Support farmers and landowners in implementing solutions that protect Yorkshire communities
- Strengthen engagement with downstream communities, showcasing NFM’s real-world benefits
- Help policymakers and funders recognise NFM’s long-term value for flood resilience
This video builds on Ousewem’s previous work, shifting focus from NFM tools to the partnerships that bring them to life. Watch to see how collaboration shapes NFM’s future. Get in touch to join the conversation and make an impact!
You can watch Ousewem’s latest video here, and find the rest of the series on the Ousewem YouTube channel.
If you’re interested in flood resilience projects or think your land could benefit from fully funded NFM measures, visit www.ousewem.co.uk or email us at ousewem@york.gov.uk.
Group Meeting
Next meeting will be at 7pm on 1st May at the Reeth Surgery veg beds (weather permitting). A number of gardening tasks as well as a check up on the tree nursery are planned. Come dressed for work; tools and gloves will be provided. Gail has promised cake as an incentive!