Call to raise £5,000 to improve Filey Dams

Charity hopes that people will support wildlife site plans this Christmas

£15,000 match funding from a private trust will be made available through the Landfill Communities Fund.

The last remaining freshwater marsh of any size in the area, Filey Dams is a magnet for migratory birds, such as teal and green sandpipers, and a haven for plants, small mammals and amphibians including great crested newts.

Nestled on the western fringes of Filey, the reserve consists of large freshwater lagoons surrounded by marsh and grassland grazed with cattle. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust leases the site from Scarborough Bor- ough Council and looks after it in partnership with local volunteers and the Filey Bird Observatory and Group (FBOG).

Recent work funded by Tesco Bags for Life to benefit visitors has resulted in upgraded paths, wildlife information boards and a new pond-dipping platform.

Work is also under way to improve the wetland habitat for wading birds and waterfowl as part of a project led by FBOG supported by Yorventure, through funds generated by Yorwaste Ltd.

Jono Leadley, northern regional manager at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said: “There are currently two old viewing hides which have served their purpose well, but they are in desperate need of replacement, to make them more inviting to visitors, especially families with children.“

Go to www.ywt.org.uk/support-us, search Filey Dams on the Just Giving website www. justgiving.com or call 01904 659570. + DO YOU SUPPORT THE PLANS? EMAIL NEWSDESK@JPRESS.CO.UK WITH YOUR VIEWS

Filey Dams, where an appeal has been launched raise £5,000 – which will be matched by £15,000 extra funding – to make improvements to the visitor experience. Picture: Jono Leadley