Petteril Valley Park.
Wildlife.
The naturally meandering river and
its floodplain are brimming with a wide variety of wildlife
species.
Brook Lamprey.
The river is home to Brook Lamprey,
a primitive eel like fish which spends much of its life with its
body buried in the silty bed of the slower moving parts of the
river. With just its head protruding, the Brook Lamprey
feeds on organic detritus floating in the water column.
The sexually mature adults emerge
from the silt and congregate over the gravelly parts of
the river bed in large numbers. Using their sucker
like mouths, they build 'nests' by moving stones to
create a shallow hole in the gravel river bed. The eggs are
laid in the 'nest' and fertilised simultaneously
by the wriggling mass of silver bodies, the
fertilised eggs are then covered with a layer of
gravel.
Mating normally takes place around
late May and early June, this is the time to see
writhing masses of silver eel-like Brook Lamprey on the gravel beds
of river.
River
Wildlife.
The river is also home to many
other aquatic species, including Bullheads, Atlantic Salmon, Brown
Trout, and plants like the Stream Watercrowfoot.
The river corridor provides habitat
and feeding opportunities for many bird species, like the
brightly coloured Kingfisher. There is no mistaking this bird
with its electric blue back, orange breast and long beak,
darting up and down the river. Although you are more likely
to hear the call of the Kingfisher, a series of quickly reapeated
short, shrill notes.
Hiding amongst the reeds at the
river margin, standing stock still, is the Grey Heron
anticipating the next meal of trout or some other fish. Be on
the lookout too for Otter, or rather signs of an
otter. Like five toed footprints in the sand
and mud, or 'slides' where the animal has entered the water.
Otters mark their territories with dung or 'spraint', left in
prominent locations; on the foot of bridge piers, or on a rock in
the river.
Hay Meadows.
Flanking the river are herb rich
meadows with Ox Eye Daisies, Wood Cranesbill, Cornflower, Yellow
Rattle, and Common Spotted Orchid to name but a few.
The herb rich grasslands provide
habitat and feeding opportunities for Linnets, Reed Buntings, Gold
Finches, and Greater Spotted Woodpecker, as well as many
others.
For all enquiries please
contact:
Carlisle City Council
Neighbourhoods and Green Spaces
Bousteads Grassing
Rome Street
Carlisle
CA2 5LG
Tel: 01228 817200