January 28, 2014 by Julian
A few of us spent this past weekend out in the Peaks, working with the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers and carrying out some hedge work near Tittesworth Water. The weather did its best to keep us on our toes, by switching merrily from sun to hail to rain and back again – but we made it through all of that to get the work done (only having to take shelter once, during the worst of the hail, in a conveniently located bird-hide!). A hearty meal in The Lazy Trout pub on Saturday night and a warming bonfire during our work on Sunday helped to keep the worst of the chill away – all of that, plus great surroundings and plenty of interesting chat made for a fine weekend!
Hedge maintenance by Tittesworth Water
A volunteer at work
Working on the hedge near Tittesworth Water
Hedge work by Tittesworth Water
A warming bonfire from the brash
Biscuit break
Posted in Hedgelaying, Residential weekends | Tagged Peak Park Conservation Volunteers |
January 12, 2014 by Julian
Today was a chilly January day, but nonetheless five volunteers and warden Richard turned out to paddle around at the edge of the lake in Chorlton Water Park and work on some of the willow groynes! The groynes are intended to act as a living barrier, protecting the lake banks from erosion and providing a valuable wildlife habitat – as a fish refuge and as a site for nesting birds. Many of the groynes have become very overgrown so work is needed to cut back the excess growth, with the cut willow then being used to re-weave and re-establish the groyne.
Weaving the willow groyne
Working on the willow groyne
Volunteers working on the willow groyne
The nearly complete willow groyne
Posted in Ponds and lakes, Willow structures | Tagged Chorlton Water Park, Mersey Valley |
December 9, 2013 by Julian
Yesterday members of SACV were out with the Friends of the Bowdon Bollin to continue with the laying of a hedge along the riverbank path which we started last year. It was quite a tricky hedge, with a lot of mature growth and some thick trunks to contend with! But we had a perfect bright winter day for the work and ended in the late afternoon dusk with a good stretch of hedge satisfactorily completed. There is more to be done along the same part of the riverbank – so perhaps we’ll be back early next year.
This was SACV’s last event of the year, and so we finished off afterwards in the customary manner – with a get-together for mince pies, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts at Elaine’s!
Planning and getting started
Building the pile of brash
Working on the hedge
Last year’s hedgelaying
Hedgelaying in progress
Work in progress
Posted in Hedgelaying | Tagged Friends of the Bowdon Bollin | 1 Comment »
November 24, 2013 by Julian
Seven volunteers, a warden and a dog were out today to do some work at the edge of the lake in Chorlton Water Park. We were removing some of the self-seeded trees – mainly alder – to increase the space and light to allow other waterside species to flourish. A slightly grey day, but maybe that allowed some of the fine autumn colours to stand out and look their best!
Clearing self-seeded trees at lake edge
Clearing self-seeded trees at lake edge
After clearing self-seeded trees at lake edge
After clearing self-seeded trees at lake edge 2
Tools and autumn colours
Human and canine volunteers
Sign, tools and autumn colours
Conservation volunteers at work
Conservation volunteers at work
Management of an overgrown willow groyne
Willow groyne – letting in more light after maintenance
Posted in Ponds and lakes | Tagged Chorlton Water Park, Mersey Valley |
November 10, 2013 by Julian
Today ten of us were out hedgelaying with the National Trust at Alderley Edge. After yesterday’s fairly dismal weather, it was a delight and a relief to find that we had a perfect day for it! And we concluded it all with well-deserved tea and cake in The Wizard Tea Rooms.
Getting started
Hedgelaying
The bonfire
Trees, bonfire and hedge
Clearing up
Posted in Hedgelaying | Tagged Alderley Edge, National Trust |
October 21, 2013 by Julian
The Sunday before last (13th October 2013) SACV volunteers joined members of the Friends of Chorlton Meadows to continue with some pond work which we first did around this time last year. The aim was to clear some areas of the pond to maintain an important habitat balance between reed beds and open water. Well done to everyone who was out and – especially – got into the water!
SACV and FoCM at Chorlton Meadows
SACV and FoCM at Chorlton Meadows
SACV and FoCM at Chorlton Meadows
SACV and FoCM at Chorlton Meadows
SACV and FoCM at Chorlton Meadows
Posted in Ponds and lakes | Tagged Friends of Chorlton Meadows | 1 Comment »
September 29, 2013 by Julian
We spent last weekend on a residential in the Peak District, where for two days we worked with the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers carrying out some stone-pitching. We were helping with an ongoing project to restore the damaged surface of Washgate Lane, an old packhorse route near Hollingsclough which has been in use for centuries. The weather was terrific – particularly on the Sunday – and it was great to be part of the important work to maintain this historic path!
Stone-pitching on Washgate Lane 1
Stone-pitching on Washgate Lane 2
Stone-pitching on Washgate Lane 3
Stone-pitching on Washgate Lane 4
Lunch by Washgate Bridge
Washgate Bridge on the Dove
Posted in Residential weekends, Stone-pitching | Tagged Peak Park Conservation Volunteers |
September 8, 2013 by Julian
SACV volunteers were out today helping the Cheshire Wildlife Trust at one of their sites, Birch Moss Covert. The work was to carry out some woodland management, clearing an area that had been invaded by Himalayan balsam and bracken, then transplanting rowan saplings from a denser area of the wood.
Woodland work at Birch Moss Covert
Woodland work at Birch Moss Covert
Posted in Invasive species, Woodland management | Tagged Cheshire Wildlife Trust |
August 19, 2013 by Julian
This past Sunday SACV volunteers were out on the Middlewood Way, helping ranger Ed with repairing and replacing fencing. Well done to everyone who came along to help out, learn some new skills and make this a productive day!
SACV doing fencing work on the Middlewood Way
SACV doing fencing work on the Middlewood Way
SACV doing fencing work on the Middlewood Way
Posted in Fencing | Tagged Cheshire East Rangers, Middlewood Way |
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