Ballachurry Reserve, Rushen, IOM.: The Big Ballachurry Birthday Bash!

Happy Birthday Ballachurry Reserve!
Stan Clucas cuts the cake

What better day to celebrate Ballachurry Reserve's 10th Birthday than Mid-Summer's Day - 21st June, 2017! This week also marked the first anniversary of the Reserve being handed over to the Manx Wildlife Trust.

Our celebratory event started with a bug hunt round the Reserve led by Manx Wildlife Trust's Education Officer, Dawn Dickens, ably assisted by Andree Dubbeldam who showed great prowess with a sweep net! The children quickly got the idea and filled a variety of pots and pooters with all sorts of booty - moths, beetles, flies and ladybirds. My own attempt with a sweep net yielded a solitary Capsid Bug!

After one circuit of the Reserve about 30 or so people gathered at "Ginnie's Bench" where valiant attempts were made to light the ten candles on Ballachurry's Birthday Cake. Margaret Kelly thanked Stan Clucas for his vision in turning an arable field into an amazing reserve and for entrusting its welfare and management to the Manx Wildlife Trust. As Guest of Honour, Stan was invited to cut the cake and we all sang "Happy Birthday"!

We mingled and chatted in the sunshine, enjoying our cake and fizzy drinks, before beginning the second part of the evening. This time it was Andree, Wildflowers of Man Project Leader, who led us round the Reserve. He showed us photos of the early days of the Reserve, outlining the work done initially to make the ponds and plant the trees. He then showed us a diagram detailing how the area would evolve in the fullness of time if not managed specifically for particular kinds of wildlife. It was good to hear that we were already seeing Biodiversity at its best and would not have to wait for the end of the 99 year lease before the wildlife moved in! Indeed much work lies ahead for the Southern Group Volunteers if we are to retain and encourage many species. The key to success lies in the management of the reserve, allowing some areas to progress naturally whilst maintaining others almost in a state of arrested development. We paused at the hide to note that Cat's-ear had already colonised our new turf roof and keen eyes spotted a frog hopping about close to the path. With only ten minutes or so left until the planned end to the event the sky darkened, the thunder rumbled (or was it a celebratory drum roll perhaps?) and the heavens opened. Andree's laminated sheets came in handy as improvised rainwear, hoods went up and umbrellas came out in the mad dash back to the Notice Board where it obligingly stopped raining so that Margaret could thank, on everyone's behalf, both Dawn and Andree for a fascinating evening.

We are also very grateful to everyone who made a donation to the Trust during this event and to those who have given their names/ emails to Janet, our Secretary ,with a view to perhaps helping with future working parties and events.

A good time was had by all!