Brockadale Nature Reserve
Brockadale is a crucial piece in the jigsaw of our magnesium limestone project. The nature reserve is a fragment of Magnesian limestone grassland in a sea of agriculture.
The aim of the Brimful of Brockadale project is to restore the site to its optimum condition and provide a source of colonisation by wildlife from other sites as they too are restored. The Magnesian limestone project has involved the identification of other fragments in Yorkshire, and is working with other landowners to encourage them to restore and protect these wonderful grasslands. Once restored Brockadale could become a source of seeds which could be used to restore other sites. This can be done through the spreading of hay gathered from the nature reserve and then spread on to other areas. Likewise, as populations of butterflies such as marbled white thrive, they too could recolonise nearby areas as they become suitable. Therefore Brockadale is a key part of the ecological network of Yorkshire and it is crucial that we do what we can to enhance it. The Trust’s Living Landscape Officer is working to restore and recreate sites, thus creating a Living Landscape on the Magnesian limestone, rich in wildlife.
The Brimful of Brockadale project has been funded by the SITA Trust. The funds have been used to employ contractors to carry out large scale fencing and scrub removal and to provide tools and equipment for the staff and volunteers who manage the site.
Fencing
1050m of fencing has been erected around Glover’s Ings, to enable grazing. A third of this has been funded by Higher Level Stewardship, but the rest of the funding has been provided by the SITA Trust. In addition an old fenceline has been removed in Elwess’s Field to allow a larger area to be grazed safely.
Scrub removal
Scrub removal has been completed in three areas/compartments of Brockadale as follows:
- Compartment 2 – 0.1 hectares of scrub to be removed
- Asquith’s Field – 0.8 hectares of scrub to be removed
- Clarke’s Field – 0.3 hectares of scrub to be removed
Hedgelaying
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510m of hedge has been laid to create a livestock barrier and to improve the wildlife-value of this feature of the site.
Hay cut access
100m of track has been resurfaced to allow haycutting machinery to access the grasslands in order to continue traditional management practises.
Kissing gates
Two kissing gates have been installed at Thompson’s Field to enable grazing to continue despite the presence of visitors.
Tools and equipment
The following tools and equipment have been purchased for use by staff and volunteers on the site.
- Chainsaw and personal protective equipment
- Brushcutter
- Hand tools
