27 January 2012

Moss Eccles' Dam Inspection

this is what keeps the tarn a tarn!

Moss Eccles & Beatrix Potter
Moss Eccles Tarn on Claife Heights above Near Sawrey was one of Beatrix Potter’s favourite locations in the area. She entrusted its care to the National Trust after she died and it 's a good example of the way the Beatrix Potter legacy is present in much of the countryside conservation work we do today in this area.


The dam inspection
As National Trust Rangers we regularly monitor the dam’s wall for damage and check water levels. Formal annual inspections take place and this month saw the big 10 year inspection of  the Moss Eccles dam. We await the final report, and hope that there are no major works required, but if we do have to spend money on repairs it will be worth it to protect this special place.
 Moss Eccles & Wildlife
The tarn is part of the Claife Tarn and Mires Site of Special Scientific Interest and on a hot day in Summer it’s a great place to see dragonflies and damselflies. 

However, last Summer at Moss Eccles I  came upon one of the more bizarre spectacles that I have witnessed in my job as a countryside Ranger, this was a rare sighting of the Lake District Pink 'Gorilla', I’m not sure what Beatrix Potter would have made of it? (see what you think!)  It turned out to be a publicity stunt to raise awareness of the threats to Orang-utans and their habitats.
not the regular Moss Eccles wildlife!
Listen out for Tawny Owls
January is a good month to listen out for Tawny Owls as they are particularly active at the moment, the males are protecting territories and looking to attract their mates at this time of year and can be heard calling  in the dark evenings and mornings. Listen out for the females who call ( "twit "! ) and the males who reply ( "who ?" ).  Click here to Find out more about Tawny Owls.



Blog post and Moss Eccles photos by ranger Paul F 
Tawny Owl photo by Jusben at Morguefile.com



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