Pond Dipping at Winterley Pool

Having had a training session pond dipping at Hall o'the Heath Farm we moved on to the real task at Winterley Pool.  We were provided access to areas not normally open to the public.  The investigation session led by Julie Molyneux took place in the early evening of 31st July 2012.

 Julie, Ron, Mick and Barry.

 

Colin's report on the evening:

“Julie thought that the match pool at the back was likely to be the best so we started there.  After just a few dips we had a good variety of pond life to identify.  With much checking of identification guides we listed the following:-

• three-spined stickleback
• leech
• water louse
• banded demoiselle damselfly nymph
• azure blue damselfly nymph
• smaller dycistid beetle sp.
• caddisfly larva in a stick case
• flat valve snail
• spire shell snail sp
• mayfly sp

 Several dips around the heavily fished specimen pool were disappointing with nothing of note being netted.

 

We also met the water bailiff who gave us up-to-date information on the fish life of the pool.”

Pond Dipping at Hall o'the Heath Farm

As a practice for research that will be undertaken at Winterley Pool, Julie Molyneux provided a practical session in pond dipping at two of the ponds at Hall o'the Heath Farm.
Pond 1

Located to the SW of the farm yard in an area that has been protected from farm animals until this season.  The pond does not hold any special conservation status, though examples of ?? grass which are rare in this area have been found close to the pond on the E slope.  A seeded wild flower meadow is on part of the land that supplies the run-off into the pond.  The pond was mechanically dredged in November 2011 see the Blog entry for November 2011, the water is max of 2ft deep over a clay/brick base.  Although summer waterlevels can be low it has never dried up in recent years.  The pond was partially shaded when the dipping took place between 18:40 and 19:20.  Samples were taken from the N and E bank of the pond.

• Stone Fly larvae
• Blood worm
• Rat tailed maggot
• Dragonfly Nymph
• Water Boatman
• Smooth Newt
• Whirly Gig Beetle

Sample tray. Note Water Boatman top right, immature newt bottom centre.
Found a newt on every other dip, large number of water boatman and Rat tailed Maggots, higher density and variety of species than at Pond 2.

Pond 2.

Located in a field to the SE of the farmyard.  The pond and surrounding field do not hold any special conservation status. Contains large numbers of dense bull rushes and Rosebay Willow-herb.  The area is surrounded by an electric fence to minimise intrusion of cattle.  The pond appeared to be a maximum of 4ft deep, we had witnessed it being dredged in 20??.  It is located on one of the highest points on the farm, was it an old marl pit, how is the waterlevel maintained given the surrounding land is lower?  Dipping took place between 19:30 and 20:10.  Samples were taken from the E and S bank of the pond.

• Water Boatman (large numbers)
• Great Crested Newt ?
• Smooth Newt

Initial conclusion that there did not appear to be a great a variety as in pond 1, this may be due to the fact that is was nearly fully covered in vegetation prior to the dredging in 20??.

July Workday

Message from Colin,

"Details of the next work day which is this coming Sunday and which is the 1st of July!

 

We had hoped to be putting up two barn owl nest boxes but this has been delayed due to a technical hitch so we will be doing maintenance work.  Most of the kissing gates on the walk are getting overgrown and need clearing so this will be the first job and then chopping thistles and spot weeding docks in the wildflower meadow.

 

Unfortunately I will not be there but Chris and Ron have details of all work needed but please bring shears and gloves.

 

Best wishes

 

Colin"

Conservation Walk

Conservation Walk around Lathkill Dale in the Peak District National Park starting on Sunday 13th May 2012.

April workday

Many of the smaller broken branches from the fallen oak tree were added to the various woodpiles within the wildlife garden at Hall o'the Heath Farm. It may look like a fire, but it will become home for various bugs, beetles and slithery things.

Dave and Chris installing a small stile to provide access into the wet woodland area, to allow monitoring of bird boxes and the other wildlife.  The growing foxglove plants did survive.  The materials were recycled bits of wood from earlier projects.

April Workday

A message from our Chairman ...

"Just a quick reminder that the April workday is this coming Sunday, the 1st April - honest!

 

Various jobs at Hall o'the Heath farm."

See you at 09:00 at Waterloo Road Car Park.

March workday

Message from Colin...

The March workday has had to move to Sunday 11th March.

"The task is to erect two of the large triangular owl nest boxes but fortunately on trees, not on a pole!  I have spoken to a few members and been advised to change the date so, since I am also busy on the previous weekend it will have to go back one week to Sunday 11th March.

 

Hope to see you in the car park as usual then."

 

 

December bonfire and work day

First start a fire using wood from a fallen tree and farmyard rubbish such as coloured binder twine.

Baked potatoes had been prepared by Chris and Dave.  There were options for bacon, cheese and vegetarian, wrapped in foil, cooked at home in the oven, packed into sweet tins (sitting on wire netting).

Then placed into the fire.  The result was excellent crispy bacon wrapped baked potatoes - hot but not burnt.  Add sausage rolls from Alan, Chocolate Fudge from Sarah and lots of cakes from Ron.

Sarah and Ron checking one of the bird boxes next to the Hall o'the Heath orchard. 

The end......

December workday and food

A message from Colin

"Dear all,

I am sure you don't need reminding that it is baked potato Sunday this coming weekend!  I hope we can all attend since there is also a lot of work to do - check all nest boxes + a bit of strimming + a gate post to mend and possibly most important of all I want to take a team photo to help commemorate the winning of the NWIB award.

see you then

Colin"

Hall o'the Heath Pond

During the summer it was noted that the pond at Hall o'the Heath Farm had become overgrown with vegetation to the extent that you could walk across it.  The plan was to dredge half the pond and remove much of the strong growth.  Back in the autumn we had removed a post and wire fence so the cattle should now be able to graze down the the waters edge and keep future growth under control.  During November the pond was cleaned out with an excavator, we are now waiting for more rain to refill to cover the shallow edge of the pond.  In a wet year the water spills over the back edge of the pond through trees and into a drain, these pictures show the lowest level of water for many years after a mild and dry autumn.

HCV North West in Bloom Award

Haslington Conservation Volunteers picked up the Conservation and Environmental Award at the North West in Bloom 2011 in Southport.

Some of the Conservation Volunteers were present at the Haslington Best Kept Garden Awards on Saturday where the award was shared with the village.  [Pete, Ron, Richard, Chris & Dave]

Thanks to Dave for going to the Southport Awards to pick up the trophy.

More of the group with the award during the December work day at Hall o'the Heath Farm.  Colin with the certificate, and Dave Gilbert with the glass. 

Orchard Workday

The October workday took place in the Hall o'the Heath Farm orchard.  Tools provided via Alistair of the Cheshire East Ranger Service.  The plan was to cut back the hedges and overgrown grass and brambles to reduce competition for the fruit trees.  The crop of apples appears to have been quite good this year.

Dave hiding with his hedge trimmer behind one of the very fruitful apple trees.

Fruit on the new apple tree planted this Spring.

Ron gathering the grass and other strimmings to be fed to the waiting cattle.

Julian at work with the brush cutter on the strimmer.

A heavy crop of small apples, most of which will be left for the birds to feed on.