Page 6 - Oundle Life April 2024

SPRING?
Barnwell Country Park
Well, what a start to 2024 Barnwell has had! The new year saw prolonged heavy rain which caused the lakes and backwater channel to rise, leading to water rising above the banks. This caused the park to be closed to vehicle access for a week and a half. Luckily, the majority
of hedging that had been worked on over the winter survived! Cuthbert was swept off the park and along the river into Oundle, but
he is back now and enjoying all the
attention that he receives at the park.
although dogs can be off the lead around the perimeter of the park they remain under close control, meaning that you can see your dog and that it is not running in and out of the water and vegetation as this can cause a lot of stress to the wildlife at Barnwell. This new policy aims to make everyone’s experience as pleasant as
Now flooding has receded it has
been full steam ahead to tackle as many
jobs on the ever-growing list in order
to allow visitors to enjoy the hidden
secrets the park has to offer. Dogwood
(Cornus sanguinea) has been cleared
opposite the children’s play area to
expose the Snowdrops (Galanthus
nivalis) as well as any other ground vegetation that may start to grow there. 20 tonnes of woodchip has also been spread into the play area. We would like to say a big thank you to all volunteers (our regular Wednesday team plus those doing it as part of their D of E Award) for getting it done within a week.
A recent change that may impact visitors to Barnwell is that we now have a dogs on lead policy throughout the middle path (starting
at Kingfisher Hide bridge and ending at the hexagonal shelter on one side and the Poplar Overflow Meadow on the other). We do ask that
we now have a dogs on lead policy throughout the middle path
possible space to
whilst still allowing man’s best friend use their natural senses. Please take notice of the signs around this area.
It looks like we will have two pairs of Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) again this year and seven pairs of Mandarin Ducks (Aix galericulata) on top of the Kingfisher (Alcedo atthi) pair. A species that pulls people from further afield to try and catch a glimpse.
If you would like to get out and enjoy the countryside our brilliant education
rangers will be continuing to run the Weekly Wednesday Wellbeing Walks through Spring. If this is something you would like to join
in with please come along every Wednesday at 1.30pm to the Kingfisher Café. There are also volunteering opportunities and if you, or someone you know, would like to get involved then please email: barnwellcountrypark. ncc@northnorthants.gov.uk or pop into the Kingfisher Café for a cake.
Liam Claris – Barnwell Country Park Ranger
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