Today we were once again out with Cheshire Wildlife Trust volunteers at Hogswood Covert, continuing the CWT’s battle against the invasive Himalayan balsam in this woodland. This war is waged every summer and good progress is being made at eradicating the balsam. No pictures this time, but then piles of bashed balsam look much the same as in similar previous visits!
Posted in Invasive species | Tagged Cheshire Wildlife Trust |
This past Sunday we were in action at the picturesque Lower Moss Wood, home to a wildlife hospital and wildlife education centre. We did some maintenance on one of the footpaths used by school trips – and were able to take a look at a current resident of an aviary for which we helped to clear the ground on a previous trip!
Kestrel at Lower Moss Wood
Posted in Paths, Wildlife education | Tagged Lower Moss Wood |
After a cool-ish and cloudy start, today we were again blessed with a beautiful day at Tegg’s Nose Country Park. As in previous summers, we were helping the Cheshire East Rangers with the obligatory management of ragwort and thistles in meadows which are important for a range of species including orchids, mountain pansies, waxcap fungi, moonwort and adder’s-tongue fern. The meadows’ management is also supported by controlled grazing by a herd of longhorn cattle (who show extraordinary interest in Ranger Martin’s van!). All this, and a good sighting of a pair of local buzzards circling overhead!
Posted in Grassland, Meadows | Tagged Cheshire East Rangers, Tegg's Nose Country Park |
Posted in Invasive species, Woodland management | Tagged Hollinwood Scout Camp |
This weekend was our second trip to the Peaks this year, working as usual with the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers (PPCV). On Saturday we worked on the Pennine Way to help with areas which need improved drainage. On Sunday we were very pleased to join (as two years ago) the annual Pick-and-Play day, which was again organised by Peak Mountaineering and PPCV: this followed the usual formula of litter-picking for one half of the day and then a choice of outdoor activities for the other half. This time we SACV volunteers opted for a mix of activities, including bushcraft, a guided walk, orienteering, climbing and abseiling – and as previously we had a fine time, with a torrential downpour in the middle of the day failing to dampen enthusiasm!
Posted in Paths, Residential weekends | Tagged Peak Park Conservation Volunteers |
The wildlife area at Chorlton Water Park has been developed in conjunction with the RSPB over the last few years, mainly for educational purposes. Today we helped with some maintenance: planting, mulching, laying new woodchip on the paths, and clearing debris from the dipping pond. And there was plenty of spring wildlife to be observed while we were about it!
Posted in Wildlife education | Tagged Chorlton Water Park, Mersey Valley, RSPB |
Today a gang of us were out with Ranger Martin at Tegg’s Nose Country Park, where we helped with adding edging boards to a set of steps which have been suffering from erosion and the loss of surfacing. A perfect spring day to enjoy the views – plus a chance for a belated celebration of a landmark birthday!
Posted in Steps | Tagged Cheshire East Rangers, Tegg's Nose Country Park |
