Cayton and Flixton hosts wetland training course

The  two-day course at the end of March attracted 23 conservation professionals from up and down the country and featured field visits and practical training on two of the Project's partner farms. Grove Farm featured as a case study visit of restoration work underway, whilst a damp pasture site near Flixton Bridge was assessed for its wetland potential and ideas discussed for re-wetting schemes.  The Foxhound Pub in Flixton was the venue for morning theory sessions with afternoon practical exercises on soils, level surveying and understanding drainage out on site.

Delegates gave positive feedback on the course and particularly valued the chance to see real farm situations. They were introduced to the challenges of wet grassland creation without impacting upon neighbouring farmers and drainage.

RSPB Wetlands Advisor Nick Droy led the course with local input from Tim Burkinshaw, Project Officer for Cayton and Flixton. There was praise for the acheivements to date on Grove Farm and useful debate on how to take this and other sites forward to enhance breeding wader populations. The course was a valuable opportunity to raise the profile of the Cayton and Flixton Project.    Tim Burkinshaw will be attending a number of other training days run by the RSPB on wetland management this Spring to  with exchange ideas with similar projects elsewhere in the country.