Update from MKCC Project and Development Manager Country Parks
If you haven’t been to the Blue Lagoon lately you may have missed that we have cleared large areas of scrub to enable the calcareous grassland to be restored, which will provide valuable habitat for wildflowers and butterflies.
We have done some tree works, but there is more to be done come the autumn when nesting season is over. Suitable trees were coppiced, so cut low to the ground to send up new shoots and create a managed habitat that will be good for all sorts of wildlife. Also, there has been some pollarding done, where 2-3 metres of trunk are left, which will increase the life of the tree and reduce the risk of branches dropping. This provides additional features that are suited to birds and bats roosting.
You may notice that a tree has been ring barked, which will kill the tree, but leaves standing deadwood which will become home to all sorts of insects and bird life, potentially even bats. Had this not been done, the tree would have needed to be felled due to its condition.
There are areas that trees have been thinned to allow more light through to support other species to grow.
Also, our path works begin on Monday, 23 March so there will be improvements to paths, benches, fishing swims and boardwalks. Posters have been put up to inform the public that there will be some temporary closures and dogs will need to be on leads as there will be machinery.
Another development at the Blue Lagoon is that the apprentice bricklayers from MK College are partnering with Taylor Wimpey Ltd and M & J Evans Construction to build a bird hide wall to the south of the Blue Lagoon. This will provide a location to watch the birds flying over the water and keep people away from the water’s edge. As it is made of bricks it will be a reminder of the history of this site when it was a brick works. We are really grateful to the students for trying their skills out there and to Taylor Wimpey Ltd and M & J Evans Construction Ltd for their support and providing the foundations and necessary equipment.
We are getting closer to starting a parkrun. Currently the volunteers are gaining experience at other runs so that they are confident in their roles. I will update once we have a confirmed date.
