Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve: Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve Pond Fire Damage 30th July 2012

Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve

In January 2012 Cheltenham Borough Council provided funding to carry out work clearing Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve. It sits in a small section of disused railway cutting, approx 1km long. The Railway was de-commissioned when passenger service from Cheltenham to Banbury was withdrawn in 1961. Situated on the South side of Cheltenham, crossing Old Bath Road in Leckhampton, passing Mead Road & Charlton Lane running West to East. Now very over grown with self seeding plants and trees with a small stream. This will in time be cut back to open up the canopy allowing light through in an effort to improve the ecology and produce a more welcoming environment for visitors. Before work starts in earnest, I thought I would try and capture some images of this overgrown world, and at the same time show its development over the coming years.

Monday, 30 July 2012

Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve Pond Fire Damage 30th July 2012

Dam After Fire Damage 30th July 2012

Today I was greeted by bird song. The local squirrel kept his an eye on me from the tree canopy above, while the smell of burnt ash still lingers on the breeze. I could see some movement in the pond, so it looks like some sticklebacks escaped the fire. I will check again for frogs as they are still very small, early in life cycle so quite vulnerable .