The 17th of May saw the launch of Manchester’s new biodiversity strategy. This new plan is all about making Manchester a better place for a rich diversity of wildlife. It picks out target plants and animals that we want to help, the idea being that by improving habitats for these particular species, we are also improving the city for a whole range of other species. Chorlton Water Park was picked out as an example of how this document can be put into practice. Chris Packham, best remembered from his days presenting the BBC’s Really Wild Show, joined other members of the launch party to visit the site of Project Bullfinch. The bullfinch is one of the species identified in the strategy and last summer we received a grant from Greening Greater Manchester to plant trees and shrubs that will provide food and shelter for these birds. Chris also visited our access for all garden and helped volunteers from Barlow Moor Community Association plant textural plants in this sensory garden. If you’re wild about Manchester and out more about how this strategy visit www.manchester.gov.uk/environment/biodiv/strategy.htm
If you’ve been busy scurrying around like an ant over the past year to help the wildlife in your area, you should enter the Action for Nature Award 2005 (ANT). To enter you just need to show that you’ve done something to help wildlife in your local area, for example: put up a nest box outside your house; made a butterfly garden in your school grounds or started a re-cycling scheme at your community centre. All entrants will receive a certificate and small prize to acknowledge their contribution to the environment. Winners will receive vouchers donated by Wyevale garden Centres. You can enter on line at www.traffordinbloom.org.uk , get an application form from 0161 912 5599 or talk to the wardens at the Visitor Centre. Closing date is Monday 4th July 2005. The entries to the ANT competition will be included in Trafford’s entry to North West in Bloom. Trafford in Bloom is also running competitions for best garden, container and restaurant or business frontage. See the website for details.
The Sale and Altrincham Conservation Volunteers(SACV)will be running a practical environmental conservation task at Chorlton Water Park. Join them to get some fresh air, exercise, and meet new people. The SACV will be building a post-and-wire fence to protect a hedge line on the 20th March. Wear old working clothes, water proof jacket, strong footwear, bring a packed lunch, plenty to drink and lots of enthusiasm! Under 15 year olds must be accompanied by a responsible adult.Anyone interested should contact Julian on 0161 881 2440.
Regrettably, concerns over the surfacing of Chorlton Ees Car Park mean it will be closed from Monday 30th December until further notice. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes.
The Wardens are delighted to announce that for the fourth year in a row, the Warden Service has received the prestigious Green Flag Award. This nationwide award recognises high standards of management of parks and green spaces for people and wildlife. Thanks to all members of staff without whose hard work we wouldn't be able to celebrate this achievement.
Thanks to the volunteers who turned out on a frosty Saturday morning to join the BTCV coppicing at Kenworthy. Our coppice patch really needed some attention to make sure it continues to provide a good home for a wide variety of wildlife. The team worked really hard and got lots of wood cut that will be used for hurdles and charcoal. Importantly, the high quality of the work means that the trees will be more likely to re-grow in the spring. If you want to get involved, the next BTCV event will be at Kenworthy on the 5th December. See events programme for details.
BTCV - the country's biggest organisation for volunteers that work on Nature Conservation Projects - will be working with the Mersey Valley Wardens to offer the opportunity to come and gain new skills and make friends! On Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st of November you can come and learn how to Coppice trees, an ancient technique for sustainably harvesting wood that we still use today. The course will be delivered by trained BTCV staff and certificated by NCFE (National College of Further Education). This will be part of a series of courses in this partnership so if this interests you but you cannot make it this time, keep your eyes peeled for further events. Meet 9.30am at Chorlton Water Park main entrance.
The event marking the start of project bullfinch was a great success. Many people expressed their support by signing an apple on our apple tree and by helping to create a bullfinch banner. The longest peel competition was won with a peel 1.20m long. Smoothies provided by the Five-a-Day group were greatly appreciated. Don't forget to join us at Chorlton Water Park on Saturday 13th November take part in this project.
The Information Wardens are putting the finishing touches to the new display at the Visitor Centre at Sale Water Park. It’s all about where the creatures in the Mersey Valley go to spend the winter. So if you’ve been wondering where frogs and hedgehogs hide out, come along to the Visitor Centre and find out.
Meanwhile over at Chorlton Water Park, look out for pochards, which should soon be returning to the lake for the winter.
The Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service are hoping that the public will join them for an event to mark the start of ‘Project Bullfinch’ on Friday 22nd October.
Red Rose Forest have secured funding through Greening Greater Manchester to undertake Project Bullfinch at Chorlton Water Park. Local community groups and Chorlton High School will be helping the wardens to plant hundreds of fruit trees and bushes for the birds.
Bullfinches are secretive birds who are surprisingly easy to miss in spite of their striking colours. The loss of much woodland and hedgerow habitat has seen their numbers drop by about 65% in this country over the last 35 years and as a result Manchester’s Biodiversity Action Plan has targeted the bird for help.
“We already have a resident population of bullfinches at Chorlton Water Park, which expands in the winter as visiting birds join them” says Dave Harrison, the Warden who is co-ordinating the project. “By planting more fruit trees and gorse to provide food and shelter, we will be creating a more stable habitat for the finches.” Although the project is aimed at bullfinches, other wildlife will also benefit from the new habitat.
The event will take place at Barlow Moor Community Centre on Friday 22nd October at midday. There will be chance to sample different fruits, help to create a banner, and a longest peel competition, but the event has a more serious purpose too, as Dave explains “We want to consult with the public about this project and this event will be our opportunity to do that”.
An Urmston Meadows workday was organised by The Friends of Urmston Meadows Conservation Group in conjunction with The Mersey Valley Warden Service. The participants met up at 11-00am on Sunday 26th September at the Southgate entrance to the meadows. About 30 people of all age groups joined in: group members, Mersey Valley Wardens, local residents and passing walkers. The Mersey Valley Warden Service provided a tractor towed wood chipping machine, litter pickers, bags, gloves and lots of help and advice. Our aim was to clear away dead wood and litter, which had begun to constitute a danger to children, walkers and animals. Efforts were concentrated this time in two woodland areas and a close by patch of meadow. Everyone worked hard and cheerfully to achieve this task. We hope that we will be able to hold these events on a monthly basis, jobs will range from clearing to planting and notices and contact numbers will be posted in advance. Any offers of help would be most appreciated. Linda Gibbons (FUMCG secretary)
Thanks to the Water Adventure Centre who ran a fantastic week of activities at Chorlton Water Park in July. As well as canoeing games on the water, young people had the opportunity to test their sense of adventure; rock climbing and abseiling on a purpose built, mobile climbing wall. Don’t worry if you missed this year’s events – there will be more WAC days in the future.
This summer has brought weather reminiscent of a tropical monsoon season. With the land up stream from Manchester saturated, we are already seeing high water levels in the River Mersey. With the flood prevention measures put in place by the Environment Agency, it is easy to forget that the land surrounding the river is all flood plain. With bigger floods likely later in the year, some Mersey Valley sites will probably end up under water, as sluice gates are opened to prevent the river from breaching its banks. Please be careful and observe any warning signs, especially around the Sale Water Park , Stenner Woods and Millgate Fields.
Warm summer weather makes plants grow vigorously, and those in your pond may threaten to take over, leaving you with no choice but to pull them out. They may look pretty, but PLEASE don’t think that ponds, lakes, rivers, streams or canals will be a good new home for them. Many of the plants you buy in garden centres are not native to this country. That often means that they will be able to grow without being eaten or suffering from the diseases that would normally keep them under control. Because of this they can spread rapidly, pushing out our native species that our indigenous wildlife needs to thrive. The compost heap is the only place for your unwanted pond plants! Our wetland sites are also suffering from the introduction of unwanted aquatic pets. Goldfish in wildlife ponds will devour frogspawn, newt eggs and underwater insect life. Terrapins are even more destructive.
Warm summer weather makes plants grow vigorously, and those in your pond may threaten to take over, leaving you with no choice but to pull them out. They may look pretty, but PLEASE don’t think that ponds, lakes, rivers, streams or canals will be a good new home for them. Many of the plants you buy in garden centres are not native to this country. That often means that they will be able to grow without fear of being eaten or suffering from the diseases that would normally keep them under control. Because of this they can spread rapidly, pushing out our native species that our indigenous wildlife needs to thrive. The compost heap is the only place for your unwanted pond plants! Our wetland sites are also suffering from the introduction of unwanted aquatic pets. Goldfish in wildlife ponds will devour frogspawn, newt eggs and underwater insect life. Terrapins are even more destructive, with the additional problem that they can introduce disease to ponds where children pond dip.
This week we have seen gatekeeper butterflies in abundant numbers. These small brown butterflies have three to four eyespots on each wing and the top eyespot usually has two white dots in it. They feed on nectar and lay their eggs on grass around woodland edges, corners of fields and by hedgerows. This has given rise to both their names gatekeeper and hedge brown. If you want to see them, pick a warm sunny day and visit Chorlton Water Park, Banky Meadows or Urmston Meadows. You will have to be quick though, as these butterflies will only survive another week or two whilst they find a mate and lay their eggs.
Six groups took part in the orienteering challenge at Chorlton Water Park last Wednesday organised as part of Red Rose Forest’s Forest Fever Fortnight.
Well done to the The Lost Sheep who finished the course in 31 minutes. MMJ were next to make it round in just 41 minutes. The Mops were close behind taking 43 minutes and Maps r Us arrived back in 59 minutes. Thanks also to The Americans and The Pattersons for taking part.
We hope you all enjoyed the challenge and are taking part in other events around the Forest. The fortnight of activities continues until the 10th of August. Visit www.redroseforest.co.uk/forestfever or call 0161 872 1660 to find out more.
Don’t miss the chance this week to try canoeing on the lake at Chorlton Water Park. The Water Adventure Centre will be running canoeing sessions each day this week until Friday 30th July. Sessions will run from 1pm- 7pm for 12 – 19 year olds and canoeing for 8-12 year olds from 1.30 – 2.30pm. Pick up a consent form and get it signed by your parent/ legal guardian to join in the fun.
The Information Point at Chorlton Water Park has had a fresh coat of paint and new displays are being prepared for the bare walls. During the summer months the Information Point will be open on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday mornings from ten until 12.30. The knowledgeable Mersey Valley Information Wardens will be on hand to provide you with details about the wildlife, walks, events and angling in the Mersey Valley. As a result the Visitor Centre will now open from 1.30pm until 5pm at weekends and bank holidays. Visitor Centre times will remain unchanged from during the week.
If you missed out on the Easer Break Out activities - don't worry, more sessions have been organised to get your summer started. Form Monday 19th July to Friday 13th August, activities will be taking place at parks across Manchester. At Chorlton Water Park you can do anything from foot ball and basket ball to environmental arts and pond dipping. Activities at other parks include horse riding, angling and drama workshops. Places are limited so it is essential that you book. Call 226 3330 for a booking form and details of all the events.
Refugee Action teamed up with the Mersey Valley Wardens to provide a group of young people -who have all recently arrived in the country as unaccompanied asylum seekers- with a series of activities to introduce them to their local countryside. The group took part in a variety of activities including orienteering, raft building and mountain biking. The Wardens would like to thank the group for helping prepare ash wood for the charcoal kiln in spite of the rain on Sunday. This event was part of National Refugee Week; find out more about the week at www.reugeeweek.com
The Mersey Valley Estate team have just installed the new kissing gates to the Valley on the extension of Willenhall Road through Kenworthy Woods; and at the Bailey Bridge into Chorlton Water Park. These gates can be opened fully with a radar key to allow access to motorised wheelchairs. This is the start of a long-term plan to install the gates across the Valley, which will improve access for electric wheelchair users. For details on how to obtain a radar key call 0161 957 8316.
Please note, there is now no vehicular access along the private extension of Willenhall Road to Chorlton Water Park through Kenworthy Woods. This measure has been taken in response to a number of incidents that have taken place on the site over the past year. We are hoping that this measure will improve public safety on the lane and prevent fly tipping, burnt out cars and other problems of anti-social behaviour. The nearest car park to Chorlton Water Park is at the main entrance off Maitland Avenue. Disabled users may obtain vehicular access to the site by applying to the head warden for a key to the gate in this car park. There will still be limited parking for Kenworthy just beyond the height barrier on the extension of Willenhall Road.
Please note that the Health Walk at Urmston Meadows on Monday the 7th June will start at the green on Southgate off Church Road, not Torbay Road as advertised in the events leaflet. Everyone is welcome to come and join the Wardens for this gentle walk around the Meadows.
A team of Wardens ventured out of the Mersey Valley on Sunday to take part in a five -aside football tournament organised by Sign Bowfell. Teams from Sign - an organisation for the deaf- from across the country took part in the event. The Warden team made it through to the final, but were beaten 4:0. A member of sign Bowfell who had been on work placement with the Warden Service over the last year invited us to take part in the tournament. The placement student joined the Warden team as a substitution for the last six games and so managed to win both a gold and silver medal.
Meanwhile, back at Chorlton Water Park, the sight of a small tornado astounded Wardens and members of the public. The whirlwind swept across the park lifting a column of water from the lake into the air.
As the most popular site in the Mersey Valley, Chorlton Water Park is visited by thousands of people each year. The Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service feel that it is important to give people who use the site an opportunity to share their ideas and concerns. In order to understand how people feel about the Water Park, the Wardens are currently distributing a questionnaire. Once the responses have been collected, interested people will be invited to join a ‘Friends of Chorlton Water Park’ group. The group will then address issues raised in the questionnaires working in partnership with the Warden Service. If you would like a copy of the questionnaire, and/or wish to join the Friends of Chorlton Water Park group, please contact the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre on 0161 905 1100, or e-mail h.wood@pop3.poptel.org.uk.
Spring is now undeniably in the air so now is a great time to come down to the Mersey Valley to enjoy the brilliant greens of the fresh foliage. You can also visit the colourful new display at the Visitor Centre, which is full of ideas on how to attract wildlife to your garden, and pick up our latest events leaflet, which will be available from Friday.
Over at Chorlton Water Park, the closed season for fishing will end on the 1st of May. Season tickets are now on sale at the Water Park between 12-1pm every day. In order to purchase a ticket you will need to bring your rod license, two passport photographs, and any evidence of entitlement to concessionary rates. Following some misuse of keys issued to disabled anglers over the last year, access will now be through the gate in the Water Park car park only. Any abuse of the rules will result in a ban. This season’s prices are £19.20 for an adult season ticket, £9.60 concessions. Day tickets are £6 for a bank side ticket, £3 from the office and concessions £3 bank side, £1.50 from the office.
If you are wondering how to while away the Easter holidays, you will be please to hear about the ‘Big Easter Break Out’, which has been organised by Manchester City Council. A wide range of activities aimed at 8-14 year olds will be taking place over the coming fortnight at Parks across Manchester, including Chorlton Water Park. The sessions are free but you need to book a place by contacting Vanessa on 0161 223 5182. For details of the activities taking place at Chorlton Water Park, go to our events page.
Passing by the Visitor Centre Nature Reserve at Sale, you will have spotted an unseasonably early, giant dragonfly hovering over the wetland. The dragonfly is the last of a series of sculptures that were created by local artist Mike Green and MAP (Multi Agency Partnership for children and people with learning disabilities) over the course of last summer. The sculpture has been installed now that the coloured resin in the wings has finally set. Encapsulated within the resin are objects that were found by the group around the site.
Another addition to the Visitor Centre site is a Recycling Station in the car park, which has been installed by Trafford Borough Council. You can bring glass, paper, plastic bottles and cans to be recycled.
Visitors to the Mersey Valley may have noticed that the distinctive silhouettes of several tall trees are missing from the skyline around Chorlton. These trees, which are hybrids of black poplars, were planted when the sites were originally developed nearly thirty years ago. Poplars were chosen as they are a fast growing species, which quickly make an impact and provide shelter for wildlife. They have been felled in agreement with the Forestry Commission as part of ongoing management plans for the area. Their absence will make room for slower growing, longer lived, hard wood trees such as oak and ash that will be of lasting benefit to a greater variety of wildlife.
Grasslands are widely underestimated in their value for nature, though they can be rich in a huge variety of plant life, which in turn attracts butterflies and other insects. Birds such as skylarks and lapwings make their nests hidden amongst tufts of grass and mammals from field voles to hares are at home rushing around amongst the vegetation.
The grasslands within the Mersey Valley have been under threat in recent weeks after a number of instances when fires have caught on dry, dead vegetation leaving charred stubble. The fires, that are believed to have been started deliberately, pose a particular hazard to Marsh and Bee Orchids and Adders tongue fern - rare species of plant, which are in a crucial stage of their growth. If you see a fire please contact the fire brigade and the wardens as soon as possible with details of the fire’s location.
If you would like to do something practical to encourage our grasslands to flourish, join the Mersey Valley Wardens, BTCV and Red Rose Forest to sow wildflower seeds at Urmston meadows. Meet on Wednesday March 17th at the Riverside Drive entrance at 10am.
With miles of paths to explore, the Mersey Valley has long been a popular site for people to bring their dogs for a walk. At this time of year it is vitally important that our canine friends are kept under control- every year we see ducklings and other ground nesting birds lost to the jaws of excitable dogs.
Regrettably, over the past few weeks there has been an increase in the number of complaints from visitors about the unruly behaviour of our four-legged-friends, with one instance where a person suffered a nasty bite. Your dog may never hurt a fly, but many people are intimidated when an unfamiliar dog comes bounding up to them.
For the benefit of both people and wildlife please keep your dogs under control.
The spell of mild weather is bringing signs of spring to the Valley. Hawthorn leaves are starting to unfurl, blackthorn buds are blooming and daffodils are pushing their shoots up out of the earth. Woodpeckers have been heard chattering in the trees and snipe are starting to settle in the wetland at the Visitor Centre. Insects are beginning to stir from their winter dormancy and a brimstone butterfly has already been spotted at Urmston. Come out to the Valley and let us know what wildlife you have spotted.
Manchester CSV has been hard at work creating the beautifully crafted breadboards from the fallen beech tree. The Mersey Valley Wardens would like to thank them for their contribution to the project, which would have been impossible without them.
Local residents are being invited to share their views through a questionnaire, which has been distributed to neighbouring houses this week. “We want to protect and enhance Urmston Meadows for both people and wildlife. To achieve this, we have to understand the needs of local residents and others who visit the area. The questionnaire will give people an opportunity to share their opinions and the responses will be a starting point for future discussion.” Says Hilary Wood of the Warden Service. Mike Bones, local resident, welcomes the prospect of the community becoming more involved. “We have identified some concerns already. We want to tackle those and help create a really special place in Urmston.” Once the questionnaires have been collected, a date will be set for a public forum, which will consider ways in which the public can work in partnership with the Warden Service on the site. If you would like to have your say, you can contact Hilary Wood for a copy of the questionnaire at the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre on 0161 905 1100, or via e-mail h.wood@pop3.poptel.org.uk.
If you have visited Kickety Brook during recent months you will have noticed that the Estate team have been busy thinning out the trees in the woodland. Because so many trees were growing close together, they have grown tall and spindly as they compete with one another to reach the sunlight they all need. By removing some of the trees it gives those remaining the space to spread their branches. It also allows the warming spring sunshine to reach the ground below, which will encourage the woodland plants to flower.
Thinning has also taken place in the mature woodland at Sunbank, but for different reasons. Here most of the trees that have been removed are sycamores, which are relative newcomers to Britain. They have spread rapidly across the country and trees such as oak and ash, which are favoured by much of our wildlife, struggle to compete with them. By gradually felling the sycamore at Sunbank, the oak and ash will have chance to grow which will attract a wider range of insect and bird life to the woodland.
In October last year, you may remember reports of a huge old beech tree which collapsed on the roof of a Stretford couple’s car. The couple escaped safely and the tree was recovered by Mersey Valley Estate team who have milled, seasoned and crafted the wood into chunky chopping boards. The Wardens have been inundated with orders from people keen to have a slice of local history in their kitchen and no more boards are available at present. We expect to start taking orders again in April when more of the timber will be seasoned.
At present, Chorlton Water Park are reviewing conditions of vehicular access to the Park for anglers. Details will be available when new season tickets are issued and will be implemented at the start of the season in June.
Over recent weeks there have been a worrying number of incidents of young people seen carrying rifles on the site. It is an offence for anyone under the age of seventeen to possess a firearm in public. Additionally, the police may arrest anyone they suspect of having an unnecessarily loaded firearm in a public place. If you see anyone carrying a firearm in the Valley, it is best to report details of the incident directly to the police on 872 5050 and then let the wardens know.
Finally, the New Year has brought with it both a new Education Warden and Interpretation Warden to the Mersey Valley who are both delighted to join the warden team.
If you are interested in bird life then don't forget to book a visit to the Mersey Valley into your diary for the weekend of the 31st of January. The activities that weekend are based around the feathered visitors to the Valley. Come along to learn more about them, or share your ornithological knowledge with others. The events section of the Website has further details. The site wardens are being kept busy over the winter months working on two projects funded by English Nature. The projects are both based at the Chorlton Water Park site and involve the creation of a sensory garden and the construction of a timber platform at the new nature pond. Unfortunately the platform, which will improve access for pond dipping when completed, has suffered a set back. Vandals have prised off the boardwalk planks and used them to fuel a bonfire. This damage will soon be repaired and the project completed by the spring when visiting schools groups will be able to test it out. Please contact the wardens or call the police direct on 872 5050 if you want to report any cases of vandalism in the Mersey Valley
Why not make the most of the short days over the coming weekends and holidays by visiting your loca countryside? There's more going on than you might think. Look carefully for Snipe, Jack Snipe and Woodcock feeding in the wetland areas. When the shallow water freezes they are forced to move around and may be easy to spot. A long cold spell might even bring visiting Water Rails. Listen for the sound of squealing pigs, a sure sign of their presence. Up in the trees, mixed flocks of feeding finches and tits are quite easily seen and heard on cold frosty days. Small flocks of Siskins move around high in the tree tops whereas charms of Goldfinches prefer woodland edges and rough grassland. Will we see any Waxwings this winter? Kestrals can be seen hovering over the meadows, and you might be lucky enough to spot a Sparrowhawk darting through the bushes. Owl sightings are always exciting. Have you seen any in the Valley? We are always pleased to have all your wildlife reports, even if you think they are commonplace. The more people reporting in, the better records we will have. As well as birds to spot, the Mersey Valley is a great place to walk anf relax over the holidays. Try out your new hat and gloves,or ride your new bicycle. You can also come and do the new Visitor Centre quiz to test your powers of observation around the Centre and nearby paths. Please do stay off the ice when lakes and ponds are frozen. Ice is always dangerous: enjoy your visit safely.
As most Trafford residents will know, Trafford came second in the Large City category of The Britain in Bloom competition 2003. The judges visited the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre on July 23rd assessing the Centre, its activities and management of the surrounding Mersey Valley countryside as part of the sustainability category. During their short visit the judges were impressed by the Bess Harthan display in the Visitor Centre (which has now been donated to a local school), the emerging wildflower meadow adjacent to the Centre, and the events and education sessions provided free by the Warden Service for local people. Trafford will be entering the competition in 2004. Trafford in Bloom will soon have its own website up and running with links to other organisations. There is plenty of growing time to prepare, so if you or your group would like to get involved in greening Trafford, look out for local publicity or contact Mark Brazil, Trafford in Bloom Co-ordinator on 0161 912 5569.
On Tuesday morning it was discovered that the bird hide had been set fire to and totally destroyed. The Fire Brigade made it safe and our Estate Wardens cleared up the site. We are disappointed as all the users of this facility will be. Unfortunately we will be unable to replace it in the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately the new picnic benches recently installed outside the Visitor Centre at Sale Water Park have been vandalised leaving one of the benches in a very dangerous condition. The entire surface of one bench was removed we surmise in order to steal the wood. We apologise for any inconvenience to our customers and hope to replace it as soon as we can afford to. Meanwhile the other benches will be painted to make the timber less attractive to potential thieves. If you see any suspicious incidents on any of Mersey Valley sites please would you contact the police with details immediately.
This event was unfortunately cancelled on the weekend of 5th October and has been rescheduled for the 16th November at the earlier time of 12 noon.
On the 12th of October 2003 the Mersey Valley "fungal foray" took place at 10:00am within Chorlton Water Park Local Nature Reserve (CWP LNR). Local mycologist Tim Rogers helped the wardens and 16 members of the public in identifying various species of fungi. The following list is a record of the species identified on the day, some species were abundant and others scarce within CWP LNR, although not exhaustive the list serves well as a guide to what to expect at this time of year. Areas within CWP LNR that are well worth investigating if visiting in search of mushrooms and toadstools are:
- the triangular area of short grass directly in front of you on entering CWP LNR main gate
- the play area
- the pond area
- the woodland walk which runs through the birch/alder woods on the south side of CWP LNR
- the birch copse near to the lake shore at the west end of the lake
- the willow/alder copse near to the lake shore at the north west part of the lake
The species found on 12/10/2003 are as follows:
- Coprinus legopus
- Slender Psathyrella (Psathyrella gracilis)
- Mealy Tubaria (Tubaria furfuracea)
- Stropharia aurantiaca
- Honey Fungus (Armillaria mellea)
- Glistening Ink Cap (Coprinus micaceus)
- Fringed Crumble Cap (Psathyrella candolleana)
- Silver Leaf Fungus (Chondostereum purpureum)
- Pavement Mushroom (Agaricus bitorquis)
- Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare)
- Fairy Ring Champignon (Marasmius oreades)
- Varicoloured Bracket (Coriolus versicolor)
- Scurfy cortinarius (Cortinarius hemitrichus)
- Bjerkandera adusta
- Brown Pluteus (Pluteus umbrosus)
- Pyronema amphalodes
- Maze Gill (Daedalea quercina)
- Little Japanese Umbrella (Coprinus plicatilis)
- Brown Birch Boletus (Leccinum scabrum)
- Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
- Blood-stained Bracket (Daedaleopsis confragosa)
- Dung Roundhead (Stropharia semiglobata)
Due to unforseen difficulties the Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service have unfortunately had to cancel the Build Your Own Home event planned for Saturday 27th September at Chorlton Water Park. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and hope to run the event again at some time in the future.
Wednesday, 24th September, 2003
Try these free activities: Monday 15th Sept. : 3.45-5.00 pm ORIENTEERING Tuesday 16th Sept. : 3.45-5.00 pm WELLIE THROWING Wednesday 17th Sept.: 3.45-5.00 pm BEAT THE GOALIE Thursday 18th Sept. : 3.45-5.00 pm ROUNDERS Friday 19th Sept. : 3.45-5.00 pm PARACHUTE GAMES Saturday 20th Sept. : 1.00 pm MINI BOAT RACE Sunday 21st Sept. : 1.00 pm ART ATTACK Also on Sunday PARTICIP8 is running outdoor activities for 8-14 year olds. Please book in advance by contacting Sally Carr on 0161 234 3174.
Tuesday, 16th September, 2003
From the 1st September 2003 all Dogs at Chorlton Water Park will need to be on leads or tethered at all times. In the past the Warden Service have allowed some flexibility with this rule but over the Summer an increasing number of incidents with uncontrolled dogs, including attacks on Wildlife, Staff and Park Users, have determined that enforcing of this Byelaw is now necessary. Manchester City Council's Dog Wardens will be assisting the Park Warden Service at Chorlton to enforce the Park Byelaws. Please assist by being a responsible dog owner and keeping your dog on a lead at all times.
The Greater Manchester Radio Bus spent a day at Chorlton Water Park on Monday 18th August. Despite cloudy skies visitors to the park were able to use the Buse's computers to surf the web, and several passing staff became instant (but short-lived) Radio Stars.
The Wildflower launch outside the Mersey Valley visitors centre is a bright and colourful area that is attracting large numbers of butterflies and interesting insects. Come along to see for yourself!
Over 100 Broad leaved Hellibarines on 11/7/03 were discovered on Priary Gardens. These unusual wildflowers will be disturbed by the M60 widening project and a translocation project will need to be mounted to save them. Watch this space for an update on how the warden service protects them.
The angling close season at Chorlton Water Park has finished for 2003. The new season was enthusiastically supported by anglers using all the allotted fishing pegs around the waterpark. Details of the conditions of use for the park and permtit charges are downloadable from the Chorlton water Park page of the site.
If you are organising a play scheme or youth group in Manchester or Trafford during the summer holidays, then consider a free environmental play session led by a Mersey Valley Warden. Activities can be adapted to suit the needs of your group, and include pond dipping, orienteering, bug hunting, environmental art, plus environmental craft sessions. The Mersey Valley has 30 countryside sites to choose from, or we may be able to visit your play scheme. We are particularly keen to work with Special Needs groups, and with groups who otherwise would not have the opportunity to visit their local countryside. Please phone as soon as possible as places are limited. Contact Hilary Wood on 0161 905 1100 or Lesley Martin on 0161 881 5639
The Warden Service attended the national Adult Learning Week event in St Ann's Square, Manchester on Saturday 10th May 2003. A total of sixty blue tit and robin boxes were constructed by people in the sunshine. The Warden Service sustainable woodlands stand was surrounded by the sound of tabla drums, guitar and the rythums of city centre events sound!
Hot off the press is our new Summer Events Leaflet filled with lots of varied events taking place over the next six months.Pop in to Chorlton Water Park or The Visitor Centre at Sale Water Park for your free copy!
Easter Monday pulled in the crowds for the annual Egg Race at Chorlton Water Park.Children & adults made racing cars from plastic bottles & c.d.s complete with hard boiled egg drivers & then raced them down the hill.The best distance was recorded for 3 attempts & the results were as follows. Speed Freak 27.3m. Crash Bash the 1st 19m. Schumacker 18m. Carrot Fire mk2 16.6m. Smiley 15.2m. Soapo 14.4m. Fast Ash 14m. Egg Head Freak 11.9m. Michael Paul 11.9m. Emma 11m. Green 11m. Tara 10.2m. Sick Note 10m. Melissa 9.5m. Star Blaster 7.5m. Egg Man 7m. Hot Ring Racer 7m. Supersonic Sam 7m.Jack 6.2m. Billie 6.1m. Diell 6m. Blue Army 5.8m. Jungle Egg 5.6m. Old Trusty 5m. The Monster 5m. Jax Speedo 5m. Red Egg 4.9m. Ka Crash 4.6m. Super Car 4.2m. Cola 3.6m. Bomb 3.5m. Michael Egg Smasher 3m. Michael Schumacker 3m. Ferrari 3m. Sean 2.4m. Chocolate Car 2.1m. Wolf 1.1m. Congratulations to everyone that took part.
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The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers are working with a corporate team building group (BASF) to develop a wildflower area outside the Visitor Centre at Sale Water Park. Seeds bought from the National Wildflower Centre include cornfield annuals that will produce a vivid splash of colour this summer. Watch this space
The events for May-October 2003 will be published on Thursday 17th April. A paper copy can be obtained from the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre and Chorlton Water Park
Over 300 pupils from Oakwood High School in Chorlton took part in tree plant 2003. As well as trees, woodland wildflowers were planted. Foxglove, wood avens, red campion and pendulous sedge were introduced into the developing woodlands around the park. This initative has been part of the successful English Nature New Opportunities Award that is working towards the contiued habitat improvements at Chorlton Water Park Local Nature Reserve.
A rare european Blue headed wagtail has spent the last 3 days feeding in a horse paddock next to Altrincham Sewage Works. Watching from the Trans pennine trail this brightly coloured wanderer has attracted birdwatchers from far and wide. Sporting a blue head, green back and yellow front the bird seems blissfully unaware of its northerly location and quite at home here.
The last few days have been cloudless and bright, albiet cold. Spring flowers are coming into bloom on many Mersey Valley sites and the first few summer migrant birds are starting to arrive and sing on our nature reserves. The springlike conditions has awakened hibernating butterflies with reports of numbers of small tortoishells and a comma. Please contact us with any of your wildlife sightings. Wildlife watching in the Mersey Valley is fast becoming one of the most popular activities for visitors. 200 species of bird, 26 butterflies, 200 flowering plants, 12 damsel and dragonflies and much more await to be discovered by those of you who take up the identification challange.
The Bike ride attracted 18 participants and the weather looks set for a great time on the Walk the Valley event. We are co-ordinating the programme for May to November and aim to be distributing the new leaflet in mid April. Keep an eye on the events page of this site to find out about forthcoming activities.
The Mersey Valley Estate Team are busy working in Kenworthy Lane Woods, Northenden. The essential woodland management works on this alder predominating woodland has been long overdue and thinning works will improve the area for both wildlife and people. We are presently preparing a handout that explains why and how we manage community woodlands like Kenworthy Lane. Details will be posted on this site in the near future.
You may find the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre at sale water park closed over the next few weeks. This is due to the referbishment of the public toilet facilities. We will be re-opening with a new display and hope any disruption will be compensated by improved facilities.
The Warden Service would like to welcome 3 seasonal water park wardens. Sue, Chris and Declan have been seconded from Wythenshaw Forum. Two workers from the New Deal for Communities at Manchester Groundwork are seconded to us to work on the Working Woodlands Initative. They are Richard and Paul.
The Mersey Valley has recently suffered from the deliberate lighting of grass fires. The Warden Service has attended and extinguished some of the blazes but has been assisted by the Fire Sercice for the bigger fires. If you see a fire of any size please inform us or the fire service directly. Any information regarding people who light these fires should be forwarded to us or the Police.
Sixteen members of the Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service spent the day giving the outside of the Visitor Centre at Sale Water Park a facelift. These works are the starting point of a project to brighten up the area immediately around the Centre.The public toilets are due to be refurbished starting Monday 3rd March and we hope the three week long works do not inconvienience our visitors too much.
The Mersey Valley Estate Team are continuing with the woodland thinning programme on Ivy Green, Chorlton. This essential work has unfortunately caused some damage to the footpath network on site but repairs are planned for the near future. The sustainable use of wood continues as the wood drying kiln starts to produce saleable material. Visit the woodland products page to find out more.
The M60 main carrigeway is being widened by one lane in each direction. Contractors have started the removal of vegetation from either side of the route. New views of the valley have been opened up and clear sight lines have created fresh panoramas across the valley.
We hope you like our 'new look' website. It now contains new upto date information, more features and is more accessible to users. Please contact us with your comments.
For the third year running the Warden Service is celebrating the award of the government's top distinction for parks. Recognition for all the hard work that has gone on at Chorlton over the last year is welcomed and the flying of the flag will continue to pomote the site as 'comfortable countryside', an ideal place for people and wildlife.
Sixty people came to the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre on New Years day to make no bake bird cakes just in time for the cold snap, when all our garden birds are in need of a helping hand.
The recent cold snap has brought in larger numbers of wintering wildfowl to Chorlton Water Park Local Nature reserve. The 244 pochard have been joined by 2 scaup and a pochardxtufted duck hybrid. The kingfisher is seen on a daily basis and upto date information about wildlife sightings can be found at the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre, Chorlton Water Park information point and by telephoning the wardens on 0161 905 1100. An unusual sighting over the last few weeks has been a Raven.
The Warden Service welcomes Catriona to our organisation. She will be based at the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre providing you with information about the Valley and where you can go and what you can do. Catriona says ' I'm very happy to be working for the Warden Service and look forward to meeting the visitors.'
The group of people witnessed the following event on the way to the coppicing event on Kenworthy. Attention was drawn to a commotion behind the east island, a magpie was in the water being drowned by a coot which kept climbing on the magpies back feet first holding it under the water, the coot was joined by a seccond bird, then a third and two inquisitive adult moorhens who were spectating. A carrion crow was calling excitedly from a tree above . A large flock of gulls had been disturbed by the event and was also joining in with loud calls and wheeling above the island! An angler re-called that the carrion crow had knocked the magpie from out of the air and into the lake just before the coots set upon it. This behaviour has rarely been documented and highlights the daily wildlife dramas that must take place in the valley. Let us know if you see, hear or experience any wildlife encounters.
Have you seen the new events programme? Nineteen public events are on offer until Easter next year. An exciting mix of events and activities to suit everyone. Starting tomorrow with a practical conservation task we are exploring many aspects of countryside management in the Mersey Valley. To get involved just turn up to an event and become part of the growing number of local people who are getting closer to their local countryside.
After the strong winds on Sunday 27th October the arboricultural skills of the Mersey Valley Estate Team have been put to the test. They have been securing the saftey of dangerous trees in Stenner Woods,Disbury; Priory Gardens,Sale and Banky Meadows, Ashton-on-Mersey. Sale Golf Course has given the Warden Service tweleve large oak trunks(4tonnes) for use in the Woodlands Products Initative. Soon they will be transformed into bird and bat boxes, fencing materials and planks.
All our events for winter/spring 2002/3 are presently at the printers. Look out for them at the usual venues....Mersey Valley Visitor Centre, Chorlton Water Park, local libraries and information centres, TIC's and on the website. We try and cater for all ages, abilities and tastes. Let us know if we can help.
The Mersey Valley Estate Wardens have successfully completed access tasks throughout the valley. The extensive complete circular route of Sunbank Wood now allows visitors even with pushchairs to enjoy the site. The improvements to a section of the Trans Pennine Trail along Kickety Brook will help the many people who use the trail whether on foot, horseback or pushbike. The section is not complete due to the impending M60 widening works. The boardwalk in Stenner Woods has been replaced and improved to enable people to experience the excellent example of a wet willow carr habitat.
Welcome to Rachel Parsonage from Ashton-on-Mersey High School. She has joined us for a week long placement to expierience the many aspects of countryside management. Rachel says 'I like the countryside and am looking forward to being involved with the management of my local environment.'
Over forty bird and bat boxes were built on the event held at the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre on Sunday afternoon. These will help nature conservation in local gardens and the valley.
The Mersey Valley Halloween Event is proving to be popular again. Don't be disappointed, so book a place on this free ticketed event soon as the places are going fast.
The Warden Service hosted a visit from representatives of Heian Jogakuin University, Osaka. They were from the Faculty of Human Life and Environment and were very interested in land reclamation and the provision of public open space. Site visits to Sale and Chorlton Water Park allowed our guests to experience examples of site restoration and management of urban fringe countryside. The detailed questions and comments were most welcome and the mutual exchange of information was invaluable for both parties.
Sarah our Information Warden leaves the Warden Service after 4 years of dedicated work, providing help and assistance to thousands of people throughout the Valley. She has been involved in the production of over 14 displays at the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre and has been invaluable in the presentation and production of many public evennts. Her contributions will be greatly missed. Good luck for the future Sarah.
A course run by the Mersey Valley Wardens and the WEA (Workers' Educational Association) based at the Visitor Centre at Sale water Park runs from the 25th September 2002. 11 meetings with indoor and outdoor sessions explore the wealth of local wildlife you can discover. Fees apply. Do not hesitate in contacting us for more information.
Frank Henry Eadie who was a founder member and chair of the Mersey Valley Joint Committee died on Monday 19th August. His committment and concern with the Valley will be sadly missed and the Warden Service wishes to offer their condolences to Frank's family and friends.
Sadly we record the passing of one of our oldest and most respected local botanists who died recently at the grand age of 97. The daughter of a surgeon she lived all her life in Derbyshire Lane, Stretford and was very familiar with the Mersey Valley from the days when the meadows flooded in the winter and would often freze over. Then, she once recalled, she and other local people enjoyed skating on the ice. From around the age of 14 she observed and meticulously recorded every aspect of the natural world that she came across, accompanying her findings with exquisite detailed drawings and paintings, and in later years with colour slides. Her botanical drawings and her invaluable notebooks date from 1923 to the late 80's. In her recent years, both failing eyesight and hearing, nesseccitated her move to a local rest home where she soon made her self at home with a selection of her paintings and favourite pieces of furniture. Friends regularly visited and she was finally laid to rest in Stretford Cemetry, and close to the River Mersey she knew so well.
At 7.35pm on the 11th August a Great White Egret circled the lake at Chorlton Water Park and landed in the trees on the east island. It roosted there until early on the 12th. It was relocated at Broad Ees Dole Nature Reserve at 6am before flying high east at 6.15am. This is only the second record for this species in Greater Manchester.
A Video of a basket weaving demonstration is available for viewing from the projects page, click 'projects' in the top navigation bar for access
A downloadable copy of the Chorlton Water Park Local Nature Reserve Bird Report is freely available on the Chorlton Water Park page. These comprehensive reports highlight the ornithological importance of the site.
Have you seen the new photographs recently uploaded? Summery pictures of valley sites from 40 foot up! The wildlife section also has up to date reports available.
The Environment Agency are carrying out repairs to the weir on the north side of the River Mersey at Chorlton Ees. Various footpaths have had to be closed for your safety. Routes are still open through the reserve, but the riverbank is closed. Please do not cross barriers and contact us if you have any enquiries or problems. Works are planned to continue for up to three months.
Well done and thanks to all the competitors who joined in with the Mersey Valley Orienteering event 24/7/02. The results are as follows (Time in minutes) Kenworthy Woods Course The Sharks 26, Solitary Strider 31, Masters 33, Noam's gang 40, MC 45. Chorlton water Park Course The Fireballs 26, Cool Dudes 36
Written by Roger Barker at the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre 24/7/02
I don't like ect
I prefer chatting with my mates and drinkin tea
I don't like tablets and drugs
or sittin in Redwood Ward being looked after by thugs
I like massage and reiki, things that chill me out
and other opportunities to get out and about
and I'd prefer to use a punchbag it seems more fair
than punching and kickin Tony Blair
And don't mention Maggie
she must be nearly dead with the guilt and the pain that lives in her head
I don't like psychiatrists who pretend to know Im ill - telling me I'm not 'hearing voices' when all I hear is calls
So God bless the drop in and the people who go there - doing their bit to make life seem a bit more fair. ;}
Go to the Projects page to see our giant Commonwealth logo, made to honor the guests arriving for the games
To download this years report scroll down and click on the last line. The report will print off as a Microsoft WORD document without the Local Authority logos or photographs.
Trafford Mental Health Day is celebrated at Sale Water Park. A wide range of activities is offered to participants including birdwatching, orienteering, watersports, poetry workshops and free BBQ and lots more. Keep on logging on to see photos of this great event
The Annual General Meeting of the Mersey Valley Joint Committee took place. It included a tour of Chorlton Water Park Local Nature Reserve and part of the Urmston Meadows Health Walk. The formal meeting took place at Wythenshawe Hall in the afternoon.
The Countryside Management Association will be holding a regional meeting at the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre today. Members will get a chance to explore the work of the warden Service and visit local nature reserves. The aim of the meeting is to exchange good practice and ideas with colleagues working in countryside management.
The nights are starting to draw in already! The Solstice Dance event on the 21st attracted 107 visitors and the next event on the 3rd July (Batty about Bats) is sure to keep people interested in our evening events. See you there!
This web page gets about 900 hits a month on average and visitors stay for an average of twenty minutes. We would love it if you could email us and tell us what you think of it.
A cukoo has been seen and heard trhis weekend on Chorlton Ees Nature Reserve. The maturing meadow pond now has a well established phragmities reed bed which supports a population of Reed Warblers. The Reed Warblers are in turn the species of bird that Cuckoo's target to bring up their young. The singing Reed Warblers have attracted Cuckoos to the area and their calls are a very welcome addition the the loud and varied chorus of birdsong on site. Please contact the Warden Service if you hear them.
The new display at the Mersey Valley Visitor centre at Sale Water Park highlights the things people can do in the valley this summer. The Commonwealth Games feature as does a whole range of activities on offer. The Centre is open 11am - 4pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am - 5pm on Sat/Sunday. FREE admission and friendly well informed staff are on duty.
Under DEFRA licence the Warden Service has carried out a Canada Goose egg pricking operation at Chorlton Water Park Local Nature reserve and at Broad Ees Dole Nature Reserve. The concerns relating to the 'goose problem' are highlighted in an article in the Winter events programme.
The Spring weather has been exceptional and a few migrant birds have responded by arriving and singing in the valley. The Mersey Valley Estate Team is busy with Woodland Management projects, thinning the 1985 plantations on Ivy Green. The next display at the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre is being created by the Information Wardens and focusses on wildlife, valley countryside and things to do in the summer.
The first spring flowers are beginning to bloom. Look out for common species like lesser celendine, butterbur, coltsfoot and marsh marigold. Birdsong is starting to fill our developing woodlands - listen for the newly arrived chiffchaffs on many valley countryside sites. Frogs have been spawning for over a month and hibernating butterflies are awakening and are on the wing. Brimstone butterflies are bright yellow and we welcome reports of these and any other orf your wildlife sightings. A recent report of muntjac deer footprints in the Ashton-on Mersey area (Banky Meadow) will be a first if confirmed.
The River Mersey is dropping this morning. As the flood waters subside the Warden service comes off Flood alert and general patrolling duties can be resumed. The Environment Agency are not expecting a re-opening of the flood gates in the next 24hours.
The flood gates on the River Mersey were opened today at 8.10am.at both Sale Water Park and Didsbury. The Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service are working closely with the Environment Agency to secure the sites. The public are requested to pay attention to the flood warning notices posted on footpaths.
The Estate team have been working on 14 Black/Lombardy Poplars on the cobbled road that leads down to Chorlton Ees Nature Reserve. The 90 foot trees were assessed to be potentially dangerous and over mature. On felling trees the Warden Service has used machinery from the sustainable woodlnads products initative to create planks, logs and chippings be used throughout the valley as well as stepping logs and small seats for Brookburn School.
Over two hundred people attended the event over 1st/2nd December 2001. There were demonstrations of the machinery the Warden Service uses to produce usable products from waste timber. On the Sunday over seventy Nimbus 2001's and firebolts were made as part of the Harry Potter themed craft event at the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre at Sale Water Park.
Merry Christmas to you all The Valley is once again offering a Christmas Tree Recycling Site at Chorlton Water Park. We will accept trees from the 27th December upto the 6th January 2002. The chipped trees will be sustainably used for path surfacing and tree mulch.
If you have become a regular visitor to this site, please let us know what you would like to see here. The site is growing all the time and we will try and incorporate your ideas. The summery pictures taken in August and September will be added to as the winter progresses. Today's icy wind and bright clear skies gives us a taste of whats to come?
The continuation of access work will restart in the near future. The Warden Service would like to apologise for any inconvienience caused over recent weeks. Unavoidable and unforseen problems have delayed the completion of this project.
The events programme for Nov - April is at the printers and is due to be out in the next ten days.
The sustainable woodland products project continues to grow! Trees as they are being felled are being tranformed into the products available for sale in local garden centres. More information about this exciting project will soon be in the events programme and on a web page here on line.
Local Nature reserve status for Broad Ees Dole Reserve is awaiting a decision from English Nature. This wilkl be the first designated LNR in the borough of Trafford. The only LNR in Manchester is Chorlton Water Park.
Health Walk signage is close to completion. The signs will be gracing our Health Routes very soon. A web page here on line will guide you to a healthy Mersey Valley.
Tree and hedgerow planting in Trafford is about to get underway. Banky meadow will be the first site to be planted this season
Education work with local schools continues. Recent visits include Firs Wood, Chorlton water Park, Urmston Meadows and sale water Park.
Our private groups slideshow bookings have included Didsbury Civic Society and Sale Towns Womens Guild. If your group is interested in a Warden visiting and entertaining your members with amazing images of local countryside and wildlife plus an insight into the complexities of countryside management.
The BTCV and New Deal Team have been working on Broad Ees Dole nature reserve today. The task has involved the clearing of willow from the four islands on site and creating visual access over the reserve from the two hides.
It has been a beautiful day. The clear blue skies, autumnal leaves and sight and sounds of migrating birds has been a real treat for those who have been able to enjoy it today.
Fieldfares (Winter thrushes) have been moving south.
Staff at the Visitor Centre are continuing to develop the latest exhibition entitle \'FISH\'. The display features live exhibits including Roach and a Tench. Information about Mersey Valley Fish Stocks, Wetland habitats abd Angling help visitors to discover more about these facinating creatures.
Did you know the age of a fish can be found out by counting the number of rings on each scale?
A successful event on Sunday 14th October at the Mersey Valley Visitors Centre, Sale Water Park. Some 40 boxes were constructed for Blue Tits, Robins and Bats. Adults and children came to make boxes,although the latter seemed to be only ones constructing. An introduction to the Woodlands Initiative Project was given highlighting the forthcomming event (1st/2nd December 2001) which will demonstrate one of the ways in which the Service will produce wood from a sustainable source.
The first Goldeneye of the autumn arrived back this morning. The park looks amazing today with reds and golds in the leaves, clear blue skies and the constant to and froing of Jays travelling between Southern Cemetry and Kenworthy Woods.
The seasonal waterpark wardens are now unemployed and are using their experiences at Chorlton water Park from the summer to generate CV's and find jobs in Countryside Management elsewhere.
8th - Green Woodpecker, calling and seen flying over the lake towards Chorlton Golf Course. This is a very rare bird in the Mersey Valley, with the last report in 1999. 9 Tufted ducks at CWP Redwings seen on many sites