A couple of weeks ago (Friday 9th to Sunday 11th May 2014) we had our second weekend away of the year, doing a couple of days’ work with the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers. We were carrying out maintenance work on a bird-hide on the edge of Tittesworth Water – and it was just as well that we had the bird-hide to shelter in from time to time as some of the weekend’s weather was very inclement! But we managed to get most of the requisite done (apart from the outdoor painting!) and it was good to see that the hide gets plenty of use. In particular, a number of bird-watchers came by to use the hide to take a look at three oystercatcher chicks on one of the reservoir’s islands.
As usual, we had a relaxing Saturday evening in the local pub and a few entertaining card games (Saboteur!) back in the accommodation afterwards – so all in all a very a enjoyable weekend.
Before repairs to bird-hide
Shelf repairs in bird-hide
Volunteer at work
Rebuilding the entrance to bird-hide
Volunteer at work 2
Digging drainage channel
Work in progress on bird-hide entrance
View from the bird-hide over Tittesworth Reservoir
Laying wire
Laying wire 2
The completed work
The completed work 2
Posted in Bird-hide, Residential weekends | Tagged Peak Park Conservation Volunteers |
Today we volunteers were out on the Middlewood Way, along with Ed of the Cheshire East Rangers, to carry out some path maintenance. The task was to remove from the surface of the path some of the grass which has encroached over the past fifteen years or so. This was on the side of the Way used by walkers and cyclists (horses use the other side), and we had some appreciative passers-by who were able to try out our newly widened path! Despite the forecast of a rainy afternoon, we had fine sunshine weather all day and – even better – the grass adjacent to the stretch of path on which we were working was a mass of cowslips. We also had a chance to see the barley and poppy meadow that the Rangers have prepared as part of the First World War commemorations – the meadow ought to be worth coming to see in a couple of months’ time.
Widening the path
Ed and the cowslips
The barley and poppy meadow
The barley and poppy meadow
The widened path and cowslips
Cowslips and SACV volunteers at work
Widening the path
Widening the path
A stretch of widened path
Posted in Paths | Tagged Cheshire East Rangers, Middlewood Way |
Yesterday (Sunday 13th April) SACV volunteers were once again in action in Priory Gardens in Sale, on behalf of the Red Rose Forest. The day was spent continuing to open up the pond worked on a fortnight ago. Another lovely sunny day for the work – and a pleasing encounter with a newt!
SACV volunteers in Priory Gardens
Newt
Newt
Pond in Priory Gardens
Work on the pond in Priory Gardens
Posted in Ponds and lakes | Tagged Priory Gardens, Red Rose Forest |
Last Sunday (30th March) SACV volunteers were out in Priory Gardens in Sale. This woodland site is now managed by the Red Rose Forest. One task was to do some woodland management near the entrance to the site from Dane Road – in particular to carry out some thinning to allow more light through to parts of the wood. The second task was to start to do some clearing of reeds to try to open up a pond which is in danger of silting up. We were lucky to have a very warm spring day for the work – great to be outside! We’ll be back at this site helping with further work on Sunday 13th April so come along then if you’d be interested in getting involved!
Woodland management at Priory Gardens
Woodland management at Priory Gardens 2
Volunteers at work – woodland at Priory Gardens
Volunteers at work – pond management
Pond clearance at Priory Gardens
Work in progress on pond
Posted in Ponds and lakes, Woodland management | Tagged Priory Gardens, Red Rose Forest |
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 |
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