News

By Sam Massey What a whirlwind start to my new role here at Watchtree! I’ve had a wonderful welcome from everyone in the Education Team and the wider Watchtree community.  The first few months have been fantastically busy and the Education Zone has truly come alive – I’ve loved welcoming so many brilliant groups of …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Watchtree, Cumbria —08/06/2026 A striking new sculpture inspired by local aviation history and built from recycled materials has been officially installed at Watchtree Nature Reserve, showcasing the talent and innovation of 1st Year GEN 2 apprentices. The sculpture, a replica of a World War II Wellington Bomber, now sits proudly atop the …

Welcome to the spring into summer edition of our Nature Updates! While the reserve may have looked quiet over the winter, our Habitats and Estates Team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes. Spring is a season of spectacular renewal at Watchtree, but the vibrant habitats we see blooming today are the direct result of …

Big Conservation in Tiny Packages: The Harvest Mice Reclaiming Watchtree Watchtree is famous for its big wildlife moments. On any given day, you might spot a roe deer slipping quietly through the woodlands, hear the sharp call of a curlew overhead, or catch the brilliant flash of an orange tip butterfly dancing across the cuckoo …

It’s been longer than we’d hoped since our last project update. That delay is a reflection of how busy the reserve has been through March and April, and our day-to-day work has had to come first. While we’re all excited to get started, progress on the Watchtower Project has still been quietly moving forward in the background.  First, we’d like to share some results …

Our rush pasture has taken its first big step towards becoming a richer wetland, with two brand-new scrapes created on the reserve. These shallow pools, with their soft muddy edges, are perfect for holding water and are absolute magnets for wildlife. Scrapes are brilliant breeding grounds for insects and provide vital feeding areas for birds, …

We’re in the process of creating our 2027 Calendar and on the hunt for some gorgeous nature photography to make it extra special. If you have any standout images that capture the natural landscape across the four seasons, please send them our way. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar go to support the ongoing …

Watchtree Nature Reserve marked the launch of its 2026 Watchtree Wildlife Calendar with a special celebration evening at the Visitors Centre, honouring the talented photographers whose images feature in next year’s calendar. The event brought together contributors, volunteers, and supporters to celebrate the creativity and community spirit behind the project. Guests enjoyed refreshments, viewed the printed …

 Watchtree Nature Reserve, nr Wiggonby, Carlisle manages a robust habitat and wildlife programme, delivers a successful education and events programme, provides cycle hire, co-ordinates a range of running activities and operates a café as a welcoming meeting point for many groups and individuals.  Volunteers, Morag and Dave Thompson, have been the heart and soul of …