Wildlife trust buys farm in heart of wetlands

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) has bought a farm in the heart of one of its nature reserves.

It said the purchase of Dryham Farm, within North Cave Wetlands near Hull, was a "once in a lifetime opportunity to secure an incredible space". The fee was not disclosed.

Managers said it would help them plan for the future while minimising disruption to wildlife.

The acquisition includes the farm's buildings. The fields were acquired by a quarry operator prior to their restoration to wetland more than 20 years ago.

Tony Martin, the reserve's manager, said: “North Cave Wetlands is a very important and locally beloved nature reserve, a fantastic example of a 21st Century nature reserve for people and wildlife.

“We are delighted to be able to add another piece of North Cave Wetlands’ history to the puzzle. The newly purchased land and farmstead forms the historic heart of the site and will help us to secure the trust’s long-term investment in the reserve."

Mr Martin said the purchase, made with the help of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, would help the trust "plan for the next phases of North Cave Wetlands' future".

According to YWT, North Cave Wetlands is one of the region’s most important wetland sites, helping to support 16 red-listed and 26 amber-listed breeding bird species.

The site was once an ancient fenland called Walling Fen which was drained to create farmland. The land was farmed for decades.

In 1990, the area was transformed into a quarry. Quarrying on what is the current North Cave Wetlands reserve ceased in 1998, with efforts then undertaken to return it to wetland.

YWT took ownership of the reserve in 2000.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.