Heritage railways and nature - do they mix?

Not really any reserves next to the NNR or MNR although once the MNR gets to county school then there is some nice countryside up there with plenty of barn owls.

The MNR and NNR manage some cuttings for wild flowers etc, I think railways are good at spreading seeds and acting as human free (almost) corridors.

On the Breckland line (Norwich-Ely) there is a partnership with the RSPB as Lakenheath reserve is next to the station. Also the RSPB reserves at Strumpshaw, Buckenham and Berney arms all have stations that have survived really because of birdwatchers.
Plus the Norwich to Sheringham line is of course the Bittern line.

 

Tom in respect of the Bluebell, it's 6 of one and half-a-dozen of the other. On the other side of the coin wildlife can be a pain in the butt.

When disturbed by the Lineside Clearance Group, badgers can painfully demonstrate their annoyance by using their sharp teeth. But perhaps more of a threat that could impede lineside clearance work is that ridiculous law which without exception protects the disturbance of all nesting birds between February and August.

At Kingscote, I as well as the other signalman are well advised to tread warily when walking to/from the box in order to avoid adders. The signalbox and station are invested with rat and mice vermin, and the lawn in the station garden is consistently being damaged by moles

And finally along the whole length of line rabbits can’t resist the temptation to burrow into the embankments both beside and beneath the track, which could eventually result in subsidence.

Chris

 

Trains often make good vantage points for watching wildlife. I have already seen Red Kite from the Brecon Mountain Railway this year, and also from Talyllyn, VOR, Gwili, Chinnor and Princes Risborough in the past.

AliGs Short Eared Owls are probably only present in winter when the trains aren't running through (watched one there on Tues in the rain, and again in the cold on Sunday). Did see Grayling butterfly near Whistle Inn last summer.

Glanville Fritillaries are thriving on the IOW, and I saw three just east of Haven Street station last May, whilst on a trip mainly to see them.

Deer are often seen from various railways including West Somerset.

There was a Tawny Owl on a milepost near Gotherington at the end of December, and Red Legged Partridges nearby a few years ago.

Grey Partridge were occasionally seen on the WSR near Doniford and Blue Anchor, but I haven't seen any in recent years.

Hobbies were numerous along KESR last September, as previously mentioned.

Dungeness is a "twitching" hotspot, but the best we managed from the train last September were a few Wheatear on their way south (families of them can be seen in summer from the Snowdon Mountain Railway)

On the "big railway",there was a wintering Great White Egret in Glamorgan last winter, and although elusive from roads or footpaths, I saw it twice from trains between Cardiff and Newport, whilst "bashing" 57s and 67s.

There are colonies of very rare Large Blue butterflies on a couple of main lines in Somerset, I understand, but their locations are kept secret for safety (for potential observers) and security (for butterflies).

Keep your eyes open, and you never know what you might see!

 

Re. the rats and mice, how about getting a station cat, or even two if they've grown up together? Many pet shop owners can tell you which they think are the boldest in the litter.

I'm very surprised to hear about your rabbit problem, after all, you've got two Terriers!

 

Yeah, but the improved engine green one is getting old and lethargic and won't go anywhere without help; and the umber one all of a sudden refuses to come out of the shed to play!

Tom

 

A train made its way down a country branch. The driver couldn't help but notice a strange, three-legged chicken looking at the train, as it passed by. After work, the driver cycled over to the farm, where he thought he saw the strange beast.... Upon nearing the farm, sure enough, there was the three-legged chicken. Putting on a spurt, the driver pedalled furiously, as the chicken sped off down the lane. Loosing breath, he saw the chicken turn left, into the farmyard. Following the chicken, our now out of breath driver meets the farmer, and tells him about the chicken....

"Aaarrr" sez the farmer; "Oi breeds 'em special, like"... "Yer see, I like a leg of chicken, me missus likes a leg of chicken, 'an me son likes a leg as well, so we breeds a three-legged chicken".

"Thats amazing" sez the driver; "What they taste like?"

"Don't Bl**dy know" sez the farmer; Little bu**ers are too fast for me to catch 'em......"

Looking for coat.....

Ian

 

Just promise you won't use that one next time we're all down the pub!

Also forgot to mention in our PBR wildlife list the ponies that live in the fields alongside the line between Furnace Sidings and the Whistle Inn.

Also make a great photo prop

http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p62635591.html
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p62635600.html
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p43642527.html

Cheers
AliG