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!
Common spotted orchid
Volunteers at work
Longhorn cattle inspect the vehicle
Longhorn cattle inspect the vehicle
Longhorn cattle grazing
Mountain pansy
Volunteers at work
Posted in Grassland, Meadows | Tagged Cheshire East Rangers, Tegg's Nose Country Park |
Yesterday we helped with the development of a brand-new 30-acre scout camp –
Hollinwood Scout Camp – in Worsley. A challenging yet exciting project, where glades are being created in a mixed woodland for scouts to camp and enjoy the outdoor life. We balsam-bashed an area that will be a narrow access road through the site. There are also fields which have recently been planted with 900 mixed deciduous saplings by
the Woodland Trust; we mulched around the saplings to ensure they don’t get encroached by the surrounding tall grasses.
A very accommodating and friendly partner to work alongside, who provided us with copious amounts of tea and biscuits on our break, under the scout marquee!
Posted in Invasive species, Woodland management | Tagged Hollinwood Scout Camp | 1 Comment »
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!
Before starting drainage repair on Pennine Way
Before starting drainage repair on Pennine Way
Path drainage
Completed water bars
Volunteers at Pick-and-Play
Rock-climbing at Pick-and-Play
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!
Volunteer in wildflower garden
Volunteer clearing debris from pond
The weeded and mulched hedge
The path with newly laid woodchip
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!
View from the steps
Before starting – steps in need of edging
Volunteers at work
Belated birthday cake!
Volunteers at work
Volunteers at work
Completed steps with edge boards
Posted in Steps | Tagged Cheshire East Rangers, Tegg's Nose Country Park |
Today we were back at Longford Park School to complete the willow tunnel and path which we started helping with last month. Thanks again to LPS for the warm welcome and hospitality – and especially for the home-made cake!
Completed willow arch and path
Completed willow arch and path
Update, 8th June 2017:
Nearly three months on, it’s good to see that the tunnel and dome are developing nicely!
Willow tunnel and dome growing well
Posted in Paths, Willow structures | Tagged Longford Park School |
This past Sunday, six hardy volunteers braved rain, sleet and mud to give the National Trust rangers at Alderley Edge a hand with path maintenance! The work was to clear and dig the mud off a path which ought then to dry out for easier access later in the year, thereby taking the pressure off the other paths in the area, which otherwise get badly worn. A couple of channels to divert water away from the path were also put in place. Congratulations on the perseverance shown by those who turned out!
Path work in progress
Volunteers at work
Path work in progress
Posted in Paths | Tagged Alderley Edge, National Trust |
February 20, 2017 by Julian
Yesterday SACV members were out with the Friends of the Fallowfield Loop, working in and around one of the community orchards on the Loop, in Levenshulme. We helped with building two willow arches, using willow harvested from the Loop, and some weeding and general maintenance around the orchard trees was also done. Meanwhile, Incredible Edible Levenshulme were also out, working on their raised beds of herbs and fruit. Many thanks to all helpers!
Cutting willow
Preparing holes for willow arch
Constructing willow arch
Volunteers and the raised beds
Posted in Willow structures | Tagged Friends of the Fallowfield Loop |
February 5, 2017 by Julian
Today we had a very warm welcome from Longford Park School, where we were helping with a willow tunnel and arch. The willow was planted a couple of years ago, but work was needed to clear the grass around it and through the tunnel, lay a membrane and woodchip along the path, plant some new willow whips to provide more of a lattice supporting structure, and tie the tunnel in place. And throughout all of that, we were sustained with excellent home-made cake and tea!
The grassy tunnel
About to get started
Work in progress
Grass cleared from the tunnel
Laying membrane and woodchip
Digging trenches for the membrane
Laying membrane and woodchip
Tying in the tunnel
Willow tunnel in progress
Willow tunnel in progress
Posted in Paths, Willow structures | Tagged Longford Park School | 1 Comment »
January 21, 2017 by Julian
This, our first residential weekend away of 2017, was spent as usual doing some work through the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers. The activity was to remove some encroaching hawthorn from a hillside to preserve an important grassland habitat; energetic work on a steep slope, but that and a bonfire helped to keep the winter chill away!
Volunteer at work
Volunteers at work
Volunteers at work
Horses
Volunteers at the end of the day
Posted in Grassland, Residential weekends | Tagged Peak Park Conservation Volunteers |
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