Park Gill Nature Reserve, the Trust’s newest nature reserve, is just a mile from where I live. It is a stunning place with ravines, waterfalls and a meandering beck. On a dull and wet winter’s day, it’s worth noting that in spring and summer, the reserve looks amazing, with so many flowers, birds and butterflies.

I was excited to have the opportunity to join the volunteers currently working on the reserve and to hear what their plans are for it. My first visit had to be cancelled as snow and high winds were forecast, making travel unsafe. I was hopeful of better weather for my second visit in mid-February, but the task day morning dawned with heavy drizzle and light rain. I was pleased to find that this inclement Yorkshire weather had not deterred the team of volunteers. Just before 10am, I was met by Dwayne Martindale and Jonath Young (both Wild Ingleborough Project Assistants) and eight volunteers who had met in Skipton for onward transport in two Yorkshire Wildlife Trust vehicles.

As we kitted up in waterproofs and boots, ready to face the elements Dwayne explained that many of the drystone walls surrounding the reserve have tumbled down over the years. Our task today was going to be to repair two wall gaps at the top of the reserve.

The cheerful team headed off into the reserve. Initially, along a flat, narrow path that offers great views of Park Gill Beck. As we walked, we spotted a roe deer on the opposite side of the gill, and a dipper in the river. It really is a wonderful place, with red kites, black grouse, redstarts, hen harriers and signs of otters reported. After crossing a small footbridge, we started up the steep hillside 

We stopped to catch our breath as the hillside levelled off and admired the view, made slightly hazy through the rain. Dwayne explained the layout and plans for the site, one of the first tasks was restoring the walls. This is important because, once Forestry Commission and Natural England permissions are granted, the intention is to plant trees in areas of the reserve and sheep would need to be kept out if the trees were to grow successfully. 

The walls in the wider area around Park Gill date from the late 1700s and mid 1800s, with some going back even further to medieval times. I paused to admire the bright lichens, mosses and a splendidly named ruby tiger moth caterpillar.

Having recovered from our steep climb, the team started work. First, the wall gaps were examined and decisions made about how far to strip out the existing wall to ensure the repair would be sound. Then the stock netting on top of the wall was straightened and what looked like grey sponge pool noodles were placed along the bottom of it. Dwayne explained that the noodles were there to protect the wallers from the sharp wire edges as they worked. 

The stones around the gap were carefully removed and stacked according to size. Coping stones, which would form the top of the wall, being placed furthest away, then medium stones and finally the smallest infill stones. Once all the jigsaw puzzle like pieces of the wall were laid out, rebuilding could begin. The volunteers worked on either side of the wall to construct two slim walls, connected with through-stones and infilled with smaller rocks.

I asked Dwayne why the Wild Ingleborough team is looking after Park Gill? He explained that there were many similarities, including miles of drystone walls, limestone geology and the elevation of the reserve. We were working at 380m above sea level, the same height as the Trust’s South House Pavement Nature Reserve on Ingleborough. This means that Wild Ingleborough staff and their team of regular volunteers can apply their expertise to protecting and restoring flora and fauna at Park Gill.

Dwayne described wall building as a mindful activity, stacking one stone at a time until you have a wall. That made it sound a lot simpler than it was as clearly a lot of skill was being employed. In the steady drizzle, I was surprised to see the high pace of the team’s work and the wall was soon rising again.

As well as keeping sheep out of the reserve, the walls are vital for nature, providing habitats, shelter and breeding sites for a wide range small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.  

As I left, the volunteers were hard at work, ensuring that our newest reserve is being looked after as well as the other jewels in Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s crown. The sun came out and the view through the rain was beautiful. I reflected that on a day when I would not normally have gone for a walk, I’d came away energised by the team’s enthusiasm and passion for Park Gill.

If you are interested in getting involved in a volunteer task day why not check-out our latest Practical Consveration Calendar which is full of volunteering opportunities across Yorkshire!