|
OTTERHEAD ESTATE TRUST UPDATES 2008
Summer 2008 Summer is marching towards Autumn and many of you will have visited Otterhead in the better weather. 
Rhododendron maximum A great start has been made on identifying heritage rhododendron varieties, with the help of Royal Horticultural Society expert, Dr M. L. A. Robinson. This means that invasive Rhododendron ponticum can be safely cleared in the winter. It is hoped that the Himalayan Knotweed that is reaching the Otterhead House foundations can be sprayed soon. Himalayan Balsam is also being controlled this year. The mink raft is regularly monitored but no traces of mink have been detected. There is otter activity between the two lakes. During the winter more clearance may take place to encourage water voles. The meadows on the house terrace and the watered meadow opposite the Coach House will be cut and cleared away as last year to encourage natural flora. Two daytime walks have been held; Dr David Allen led one on wild flowers in May and historian Roy Coombs on heritage features at the site of Otterhead House and nearby former gardens and lawns. A bat walk was led by Mr Edward Wells on 1 September; in spite of a wild and eventually very wet evening, common pipistrelle and daubenton bats were heard using Mr Well's bat detectors.
Spring 2008 The Snowdrops are over and when you read this the Narcissus, of which there are several varieties, should be in full swing, closely followed by the carpet of Bluebells. The Snowdrop walk on February 10th was a great success with over 60 people, both local residents and those from further away, and the cakes were much enjoyed! This was the launch of Friends of Otterhead, and several people have joined to support ongoing conservation work at Otterhead. We will be sending newsletters, and organising working parties and social events for Friends. Membership costs £5 for single adult, £8 for a couple and £10 for a family; if you would like to join please complete and return the membership application form on the Friends of Otterhead webpage. It is hoped to have some cattle grazing the watered meadow (opposite the Coach House) and the house terrace in the summer - this will help control invasive species such as bramble and promote a species rich flora. Some fencing will need to be erected to contain the cattle. There has been an unfortunate incident recently with a stray dog chasing and attacking a deer, in front of a young child. Dog walkers please keep your dogs under control, preferably on the lead, as the bird nesting season is getting under way.
Winter 2008 A New Year and new awakenings at Otterhead Lakes; soon the Snowdrops will be pushing up. A lot is happening at Otterhead: the one remaining building, the Coach House, has a new roof; the grass on the house terrace and some on the watered meadow opposite has been mown, to encourage indigenous flora; the site is being monitored to see if there are any water voles, and their predators, Mink. Otterhead Lakes are important as a local nature reserve and as a heritage site with the bones of the extensive Victorian garden. In addition to the Snowdrops for which the site is well known, there are naturalised Daffodils, Bluebells, Twayblade Orchids and Rhododendrons, both ponticum and garden varieties from the formal gardens. Birds recorded here include Mallard; Tufted Duck; Teal; Little Grebe; Swans; Yellow, Grey and pied Wagtails; Dippers and Kingfishers. Several species of bat feed over the lakes in warmer weather. Otters are now regular visitors after a long absence. The heritage features include the footprint of the original house; features of the formal gardens around the house; the two leats and other water engineering, and the walled gardens with the remains of the Peach House and Vinery. Laurel, Box and Rhododendrons survive from the Victorian plantings. Much work needs to be carried out to preserve features and enhance habitat; there is still so much to be discovered. Perhaps some of you have old photographs and certainly memories of the estate. The Otterhead Steering Group and the new company managing part of the estate - The Otterhead Estate trust Company Limited - are setting up a Friends of Otterhead group. A series of guided walks is being planned for 2008, and our first event is a Snowdrop Walk on Sunday 10th February at 2pm, with an expert leading. There will also be hot drinks and cake at the Coach House. Put the date in your diary and do come along and join us, enjoy the snowdrops, find out what has already happened and what is planned for Otterhead, and hopefully join up as a Friend.
Otterhead Estate Trust Co. Ltd. (First published in CBO News: the Churchstanton, Buckland St. Mary and Otterford Parish Magazine)
|