Bridge anna steam engine Dalegarth Station
Quote from: mcshroom on 14 April, 2015, 07:31:16 pmBridge anna steam engine Dalegarth StationIs that the wee railway from Eskdale to the coast?
et avec John, excellent lecteur de road-book, on s'en est sortis sans erreur
I am told that the Basingrad CanalTrust weren't allowed even to try reopening the Greywell tunnel as it's home to a Myriad of bats.
The tunnel collapsed in 1932 and there were no attempts to revive it as commercial trade to Basingstoke had already ceased by the turn of the century. After the collapse of the tunnel all canal property above Hatch was auctioned off. Canoeists could still get through the tunnel until the late 1950s, but now the blockage is total and is estimated to be about 300 yards long.The tunnel is now of huge ecological importance, as a haven for bats. The blockage has created a cave like environment within the tunnel, a constant temperature (around 10°c) and high humidity provide excellent conditions for hibernating bats.During the winter months it supports the second largest hibernating population of Natterer's bat in Europe. Five bat species have been recorded in hibernation within the tunnel Natterer's (Myotis nattereri), Daubenton's (Myotis daubentonii), Brandt's (Myotis brandtii), Whiskererd (Myotis mystacinus) and Brown long-eared (Plecotus auritus).Large congregations of bats have been recorded 'swarming' at both east and west portals of the tunnel during the autumn months. This behaviour has been observed at other important bat hibernation sites and is believed to be associated with mating. It has been found that bats come to such sites from great distances (radius of 60km or more).The genetic mixing as a result of mating between individuals from over such a large area helps keep bat populations healthy. During swarming studies the rare Bechstein's (Myotis bechsteinii) and Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus) bats have been recorded visiting Greywell tunnel.