Newsletter June 2011

The New Year began on a sad note with the death of many of the fish in our ponds through suffocation under the three week ice cover in late November and December. More than 65 dead roach were seen, some up to 25cm in length and 1.5lbs in weight.

In early February following heavy rain we had a major flood, forming a lake over the ponds, carr swamp and Gatley Brook, as the River Mersey backed up through the pond outfall and the stream was dammed at the motorway culvert. Our task day that month installed new bird and bat boxes. At the month end the contractors Taylors of Chorley excavated the northern edge of the ponds, thanks to sponsorship from Viridor Credits. Because of the narrowness of Brookside Road the contractor could not use the large excavator intended, so only a limited improvement could be achieved.

Pond work continued in March when we employed the BTCV for three days to remove much of the reed mace and open up the waterways, thanks to grants from The Dudley Fund of Gatley United Reform Church and the Shiers Family Trust Fund. The excavation of the edge of the tip has needed several task days by members in April and June to remove broken glass, bottles etc – 40 sacks so far!

May saw the full blooming of Spring, two weeks earlier than last year, but sadly there were only 7 Fritillaries in the wild flower meadow compared with 17 last year before they were illegally picked last year. A new seat in memory of Dorothy Helsby, a much valued member for many years, was installed on the meadow by her son Graham. The first evening walk on May 17th on a dull evening attracted only 10 people, mostly members, plus two wildlife photographers, but a good number of birds were seen or heard. The highlight of May was the bat survey led for us by South Lancashire Bat Group, where we saw or heard on bat detectors, 3 or 4 species of bat - trebling our bat records!

In June we had a tree survey by SMBC to form a management plan for our woodland areas for the next few years. A ’Bug Hunt’ led by SMBC Rangers on June 12th attracted 15 people including 6 children and we found several new beetles and the delicate ‘plume moth’ in our grassland. The Gatley Festival evening wildlife walk on June 27th.attracted over 50 people. The long dry spring has shrunk the water level in the ponds to an unprecedented low- unlikely to recover until the autumn.

Thanks to our sponsors, Viridor Credits and Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund we hope to install in the very near future, a new wildlife notice board and street direction signs at the end of Brookside Road. These, we hope, will increase the popularity and visitor interest in our Local Nature Reserve.

Nature Notes

Q1 / Q2 2011

JANUARY 2011

After the intense cold of December, January provided a slightly warmer month. The first days found many native species already laying claim to territories for the spring. Many species were already in song - residents such as Robin, Wren and Hedge Sparrow. The Nuthatch has been expanding northwards in the 20th century and is now well established as a breeding bird around Gatley. Greater Spotted Woodpecker, with their loud “pink-pink” calls were a feature of the woodlands. Wood Pigeon and Collared Dove were both singing widely. Tawny Owls have been hooting loudly during the darker hours as they establish breeding territories. Song Thrushes with their loud repetitive songs were in the taller trees around the meadow, with up to eight in song. Garden bird feeders have been widely used by small resident birds such as Great Tit, Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit with Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Bullfinch. Also Goldcrest and House Sparrow have fed enthusiastically during the colder months at such bird food magnets. The pool has welcomed Moorhens, two Grey Herons, a single Snipe, whilst the stream has produced several records of Kingfishers during the month attracted by resident Sticklebacks. Also there have been Grey Wagtails picking for insects by the waters edge. Thick ice on the ponds was followed by tens of dead fish as the ice gradually unfroze. Up to 20 Magpies fed on the meadows, while 50 Jackdaws have flown over the reserve in a northerly direction at dusk. There were two of three pairs of Jay in the woodlands but these could often only be identified by their raucous calls. A Dipper stopped briefly by the stream in early January. The first tentative stems of Snowdrops were already showing in the wooded meadow edge, and along the stream and near the Dog Memorial the Alder trees had begun to produce catkins – early signs of spring even in January. This has been a year when Waxwings from eastern Europe have reached the northwest, in small numbers with their characteristic crests, appearing near the railway in Gatley. Further afield near Rochdale up to a 100 have gorged themselves on roadside berries. Hundreds of Whooper Swans have wintered at Martin Mere, though none came nearer. There were also Pink-footed Geese flying over the area since the autumn. As the days lengthen there is a chance the geese will overfly Gatley as they fly back towards Iceland. Towards month end four Canada Geese appeared on the pond and eighteen flew over the village.

FEBRUARY 2011 Early in the month two flocks of Pink-footed Geese flew over the reserve, 300 at 10.30am and 250 at 11.15am . Both flocks flew in a northerly direction towards Martin Mere, probably from East Anglia. Late in the month there were still several thousands lingering in north Norfolk so perhaps we shall see yet more over the reserve as they move towards the breeding grounds in the Arctic. In the field on the reserve just beyond the main entrance there were Bullfinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. In song were Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush and Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Wren, Dunnock and Robin. Also on the reserve were great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit and Long-tailed Tit. Chaffinch began to sing in mid month. Nearby gardens held up to three Blackcap, feeding on berries, Goldcrests feeding on bird feeders, up to five Goldfinch, two House Sparrows, Nuthatch and Greater Spotted Woodpecker. A Reed Bunting appeared on the pool.and nearby were Alder catkins, Pussy Willow and Snowdrops. Several pairs of Canada Geese appeared intermittently but none began to nest. Moorhen, several Mallard, a pair of Teal, two Herons appeared while Grey Wagtail, Snipe and Kingfisher were along Gatley Brook. Common Buzzard were over the pool on several occasions but Kestrel has been virtually non existent this winter. Many years have produced no Waxwings but this year there have been over 100 at Heaton Moor, 35 on Gatley Hill and even four at mid morning at Gatley Carrs on February 26tAn early frog hopped along the streamside path one morning towards month end. Grey squirrels have appeared on bird feeders throughout the month.

MARCH 2011 “ WINTER TURNS TO SPRING” Temperatures reached about 15º Celcius and could be gauged as warm. The beginning of the month, however, was cool and there was little evidence that spring was not far away. In East Anglia early in the month there were still masses of wintering wild geese, but these birds never put in a major appearance in the Northwest, unlike most years. Early in the month Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch were in song as were Wren, and Dunnock. Robin sings in most months of the year and is possibly at its best at dawn and dusk. Song Thrush, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit and Blue Tit all breed locally. Greater Spotted Woodpecker have been calling and displaying throughout the month. Chaffinch, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush all sang during the month and will be nesting soon. Wood Pigeon and Collared Dove have been displaying during the month. Near the car park is perhaps the best area to hear the high pitched song of the Goldcrest. The ringing call of the Nuthatch has been heard as the birds set up territories. Snowdrops have remained a feature on the reserve throughout the month. On the damper terrain have been Alder catkins, Pussy Willow, Lesser Celandine by the stream and Wood Anemone in damp places. Butterbur is in flower with rarer Coltsfoot and Blackthorn coming into full bloom. Hawthorn is now in leaf and Dandelion in flower. In bud but not yet in flower are Ramsoms and Arum Lillies. A small number of Blackcap from central Europe are now in song. The pool has provided potential nesting sites for Canada Geese, Mallard, Teal, Moorhen, and Little Grebe. A single Gadwall drake appeared for several days in mid month. (This species breeds regularly at Chorlton Water Park but not here) The brook has attracted Grey Wagtails in full breeding plumage and two Herons which have shown no tendency to breed. Common Buzzard have been seen almost daily over the pool and there have been a few records of Sparrow Hawks. Up to 40 Black-headed Gulls have appeared on most days on the upper meadow and a small percentage of these were in breeding plumage. By 23rd March there were Chiffchaffs in full song. At the same time Bumble bees were flying across the reserve and Comma, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies were noted before the month end.

APRIL 2011 “SPRING IS HERE” At the beginning of April there were only Chiffchaff and one or two Blackcap of the summer migrants that grace our area by late spring. By mid April the sweet descending trill of the Willow Warbler (a close relative of the Chiffchaff) was heard for several days but then, as in most recent years, the song was not heard as the birds migrated on to woods in more northern parts of Britain. In mid month an adult Cuckoo flew over the upper meadow. On the 20th the scratchy “a witchit, a witchit, a witchit” song was heard from the meadow to show us that the Whitethroat had arrived. Soon a second bird was performing its song flight across the meadow. On the 22nd both Garden Warbler and Sedge Warbler were in song on the edge of the meadow. Both Common Buzzard and Sparrow Hawk appeared briefly over the reserve during the month. A fine chorus of native birds such as Wrens, Robins, Hedge Sparrow, Nuthatch and Goldcrest were singing loudly. Slightly larger birds in song included Blackbirds, Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush, The cooing calls of Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves added to the chorus. High in the trees Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch proclaimed territories. Jays, Stock Doves and Magpies had settled in the trees. Dandelion, Lesser Celendine, Ransoms and Wood Anemones were in flower at the beginning of the month. Soon the edge of the pool was graced by beautiful flowers of Marsh Marrigold. Up to eight Fritillaries appeared in the wildflower meadow as did Ladies Smock or Cuckoo Flower. Butterbur were in flower by the paths and Vetches and various nettles began to appear. By the month end Horse Chestnut and Hawthorn were in flower. Butterflies appeared in force with Small White, Orange Tip, Brimstone, Holly Blue, Comma, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell along woodland edges. Towards the month end Speckled Wood showed in the sunnier glades. Hard work clearing the pond banks of Bullrush opened up the ponds for Mallard and Canada Geese preparing to nest. Moorhens and Little Grebe were nesting in the denser vegetation. Grey Wagtails were along the stream but no signs of the Kingfisher since late winter. Bluebells and white Ransoms’ flowers graced the banks and path sides.

MAY 2011 On the 6th of the month a couple of Mallards had 11 chicks on the pond whilst a pair of Canada Geese had 11 tiny goslings on the 7th of May. Both the goslings and ducklings were heavily predated and by the month end there were only small numbers of surviving ducklings and goslings. One group was ferried across Altrincham Road to the reserve by an eagle eyed local member! Single Moorhens were seen with young on the pond by the month end. Swallows soon produced young as the month progressed and the first Swifts appeared on 8th May. Since then Swifts have increased dramatically and are now screaming in the sky over several local estates. No Kingfishers have been reported during the month - a sign that the cold weather of December/January has had a disastrous effect on the population of this special bird which has been present every month for several years over the reserve. Early in the month Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Song and Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Nuthatch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker were all in evidence on the reserve. Wood Pigeon and Collared Dove were cooing in the trees. Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat were all in full song but gradually towards the month end the volume of bird song, which reached a crescendo in the latter half of April, began to quieten and diminish as the month of May was cooler than the warm promise of April. Sparrow Hawk appeared over the wood near Lorna Grove Bridge and several times during the month there were single Buzzards over the woods on the south of the reserve. English Bluebells were in bloom along the steeper slopes, whilst the planted Spanish form was flowering in more open parts. The pool hosted plenty of Yellow Flag Iris in flower by the waters edge freed from Bullrushes and some Ransoms were still in flower close to the stream. The meadow close to the car park showed at least two species of wild rose along with Cow Parsley, Bistort, Meadow Cranesbill and Forgetmenot in flower. In the wildflower meadow a lone Northern Marsh Orchid appeared on May 29th but flowered for nearly a month. All the butterflies seen in April continued in May. On May 24th we had a visit from South Lancashire Bat Group who surveyed our bat population confirming the presence of Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Daubenton’s Bat and possible Long Eared Bat as well. This was a magical evening for all who attended, watching the bats calling and hunting close to the trees and over the water.

JUNE 2011 “SUMMER REACHES 30º C ON GATLEY CARRS” A fox bounded across the car park at 9.00am and disappeared into nearby woodland. At the beginning of the month Horse Chestnut trees were still in flower and by the waterside the last of the Yellow Flags were in bloom. The stream held small groups of Sticklebacks. Butterflies during the month included Orange Tip, Small and Large White, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown, some feeding on massive groups of nettles A bright array of flowers on the meadow included Meadowsweet, Comfrey, Meadow Cranesbill, White and Red Clover, Oxeye Daisy, Foxglove, Common and Greater Knapweed, rare Cornflower, and towards the end of the month Rosebay Willowherb and Tufted vetch. In song throughout the month there were Wrens, Robins, Dunnocks, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, the tinkling song of the Goldfinch and soft piping of the Bullfinch. Summer migrants still in song included Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat. The cooing of Stock Dove, Collard Dove and Wood Pigeon came from high in the trees. Members of the crow family Magpie, Jay Carrion Crow and Jackdaw. Greater Spotted Woodpecker had a group of three young and there were several broods of Long-tailed Tits. Buzzard and Sparrow Hawk appeared occasionally overhead. On the pool the most successful breeding bird was undoubtedly the Mallard and by month end the drakes had gone from full breeding plumage to drab eclipse plumage. Moorhen had two broods, Canada Geese had chicks early in the season but by June both adults and young had disappeared. One or two Herons were on the pool intermittently during the warmer months. We saw adult Little Grebe in breeding plumage but no evidence of successful breeding- the young birds are often difficult to see among the reed stems. A pair of Dippers bred successfully along the stream bank Plenty of Swifts flew in the skies over Gatley.

Peter Wolstenholme RSPB