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Posts Tagged ‘Mersey Valley’

Willow groynes at Chorlton Water Park

Posted in Ponds and lakes, Willow structures, tagged , on January 12, 2014|

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

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Lakeside work at Chorlton Water Park

Posted in Ponds and lakes, tagged , on November 24, 2013|

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

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A woodland path at Chorlton Water Park

Posted in Paths, tagged , on July 28, 2013|

With the simultaneous arrival of the holiday season and rather mixed weather, there was only a small contingent (four!) of us hardy conservation volunteers in action at Chorlton Water Park today, along with warden Richard.  The day kindly withheld its heaviest deluge until the middle of the afternoon though, just after we had finished. 

Our work was to help with the maintenance of a path through the woods on the southern side of the lake.  We cleared the overgrown edges and re-covered the path with woodchip, to maintain it as an accessible route and to encourage people to explore and enjoy this lovely little piece of woodland adjacent to the River Mersey.  The river, incidentally, was looking unusually high after last night’s heavy rain – higher in the morning than in the afternoon when these pictures were taken. 

Wheelbarrow, woodchip and shovels
The path through the woodland
The path through the woodland
The River Mersey, running high
The River Mersey, running high

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Reed bed work at Chorlton Water Park

Posted in Reed beds, tagged , on March 3, 2013|

Today we conservation volunteers were at Chorlton Water Park.  We were at a different part of the lake from where we worked at our task in December, but once again we were helping the Mersey Valley Wardens by removing encroaching trees from an area adjacent to one of the lake’s reed beds.

Removing encroaching trees from a reed bed at Chorlton Water Park
Removing encroaching trees from a reed bed at Chorlton Water Park
Removing encroaching trees from a reed bed at Chorlton Water Park
Removing encroaching trees from a reed bed at Chorlton Water Park
Removing encroaching trees from a reed bed at Chorlton Water Park

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Reed beds at Chorlton Water Park

Posted in Reed beds, tagged , on December 13, 2012|

Sunday 9th December saw SACV’s last event of 2012.  Thirteen of us turned out to help the Mersey Valley Wardens with work on the reed beds at Chorlton Water Park – to help maintain this important habitat by removing encroaching trees.  The wintry task had its reward afterwards in our annual SACV seasonal get-together with mulled wine, mince pies and a roaring brazier (all courtesy of Elaine).  Merry Christmas!

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Coppicing at Sale Water Park

Posted in Coppicing, tagged , on October 14, 2012|

In today’s lovely autumn weather, SACV volunteers worked for the Mersey Valley Wardens at Sale Water Park in the willow coppice.  The willow here had not been coppiced for some time, but after a few hours’ work we had made a lot of progress: the space was a lot clearer, the brightness of the lovely October day was breaking through, and the willow is ready for sprouting again!  All being well a good local use will be found for the cut material.

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Pond work at Chorlton Meadows

Posted in Invasive species, Ponds and lakes, tagged , on September 2, 2012| 1 Comment »

Today SACV worked with the Friends of Chorlton Meadows to help restore an important pond habitat.  The pond had become overgrown with reeds, and the banks with Himalayan balsam; the work was to clear some of this to restore some areas of open water.

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