News from Pickerings Pasture Local Nature Reserve 2022 Click on pic to enlarge
22nd April 2022 The Spring meadows are really super at the moment and the wild garlic is blooming well in a couple of the woodland areas. Along the main footpath there is a flowering hawthorn and the perfume was truly delightful. Most of the meadows are covered in part with cowslips, which increase year on year, with is pale, delicate yellow flowers. In contrast the meadow in fromt of the car park is clearly divided into cowslips and the bold, vivid dandelions: showing for once in their real glory as a meadow flower, not as a garden weed. From the wildlife point of view the dandelion is by far the more important - constantly giving its nectar to a wide range of insects and providing multitudes of seeds to feed all manner of birds and mammals.
14th March 2022 I was pleased to get these photos from Katy Duncan - a recent member of the Friends of Pickerings Pasture. They show her perspective of the site. I hope you enjoy them.
14th March 2022
Another workday with twelve volunteers attending. Julie's main task was picking litter from all the main paths and especially from in front of the hide. Carol, with some assistance from Rob C, cleaned out the pond at the hide. Most of the men were busy repairing the fencing in front of the hide to afford some protection from the dog walkers, who seem to think it's OK to let their dogs free in the scrape area! There are Canada geese setting up a territory there and other species will soon follow suit. Maurice was on tree planting duty with some wayfaring trees, provided by Laura. Rob O helped with a variety of the tasks but also removed lots of the old plastic tree guards from the main drive.
Laura worked hard in the Wildlife Garden: she was clearing the area at the back of the pond, originally designed as a bog garden. This was unsuccessful due to lack of rain and the inability of the Friends to help out with extra watering during the Covid restrictions. She has dug it all over and taken out loads of perennial weeds. Katy was off around the site, cleaning the notice boards and Gary and Katy provided the tea and coffee on our return to the Visitors Centre.
The highlight of the day was without doubt the discovery of our first frog spawn in the Wildlife Garden pond.
Another workday with twelve volunteers attending. Julie's main task was picking litter from all the main paths and especially from in front of the hide. Carol, with some assistance from Rob C, cleaned out the pond at the hide. Most of the men were busy repairing the fencing in front of the hide to afford some protection from the dog walkers, who seem to think it's OK to let their dogs free in the scrape area! There are Canada geese setting up a territory there and other species will soon follow suit. Maurice was on tree planting duty with some wayfaring trees, provided by Laura. Rob O helped with a variety of the tasks but also removed lots of the old plastic tree guards from the main drive.
Laura worked hard in the Wildlife Garden: she was clearing the area at the back of the pond, originally designed as a bog garden. This was unsuccessful due to lack of rain and the inability of the Friends to help out with extra watering during the Covid restrictions. She has dug it all over and taken out loads of perennial weeds. Katy was off around the site, cleaning the notice boards and Gary and Katy provided the tea and coffee on our return to the Visitors Centre.
The highlight of the day was without doubt the discovery of our first frog spawn in the Wildlife Garden pond.
The hide pond.
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The notice boards were cleaned.
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Laura digging over the bog garden.
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An early sign of Spring - celendines.
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Our first frog spawn.
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12th March 2022
The abundance of primroses this year in the woodland opposite the Control Meadow is a real positive in view of the clearances. The big, main bed is buried but there are other good patches springing up further in. On the downside they have now cleared the whole section of shrubs from near the hide, which was mainly alder buckthorns, the food plant of our brimstone butterflies and many other insects - that's the two main sites completely wiped out, although a few smaller sites have survived, so finger's crossed. Sad to say the hide area was vandalised again on Thursday night. This time they broke off and stamped heavily on the feeders, completely destroying them Others have disappeared: no doubt thrown as far as possible... They were repaired or replaced as quickly as possible as this is the leanest time for our wildlife. The Autumn harvest has been eaten but this year's food sources are not yet available to many species. Bees and other pollinating insects are the lucky ones - primroses and other wild flowers are offering up their nectar. In the wildlife garden crocuses, in particular, are are great favourite. |
This was our stand of Alder Buckthorns.
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1st March 2022
Just a bird-feeding trip down to the hide but what was a crisp Winter's morning when we arrived turned into a beautiful Spring day, as time went by. Lots of smiling faces around, so it affected us all. Bird song was everywhere: dunnocks especially vocal and both song and mistle thrushes were singing near the hide.
Feeding around the drinking pond at the hide was a little bank vole, his rusty brown fur glowing in the sun.
Just a bird-feeding trip down to the hide but what was a crisp Winter's morning when we arrived turned into a beautiful Spring day, as time went by. Lots of smiling faces around, so it affected us all. Bird song was everywhere: dunnocks especially vocal and both song and mistle thrushes were singing near the hide.
Feeding around the drinking pond at the hide was a little bank vole, his rusty brown fur glowing in the sun.
26th February 2022
More devastation down the United Utilities pathway. I bumped into a couple on their first visit to Pickerings Pasture LNR. They had been told by friends what a beautiful place it was to visit, so they'd come over from Kirby. They couldn't believe how ugly it looked! I hope I reassured them it would recover - eventually!
What has happened to "Give Nature a Home"?
More devastation down the United Utilities pathway. I bumped into a couple on their first visit to Pickerings Pasture LNR. They had been told by friends what a beautiful place it was to visit, so they'd come over from Kirby. They couldn't believe how ugly it looked! I hope I reassured them it would recover - eventually!
What has happened to "Give Nature a Home"?
2021.
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2021
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2021
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2022. View (as above)
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2022. Blackthorn brushings still trying to flower
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2022. Blackthorn cut right back
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15th February 2022
I really cannot understand why a council that knows it has information on the wildlife and importance of habitat on hand does not use this resource. Up United Utilities path flailed shrubs have been left hanging and one important area of undergrowth has been completely wiped away. Yes, it will regenerate but the creatures that were settled in that area will be well gone! Years of neglect should be tackled carefully: a little at a time over a couple of years, not outright destruction. Although these views are my own, I know they are shared by many other regular users of Pickerings Pasture Local Nature Reserve. This is the only designated area for the benefit of flora and fauna in the area and should be treated with more respect. CA Cockbain
I really cannot understand why a council that knows it has information on the wildlife and importance of habitat on hand does not use this resource. Up United Utilities path flailed shrubs have been left hanging and one important area of undergrowth has been completely wiped away. Yes, it will regenerate but the creatures that were settled in that area will be well gone! Years of neglect should be tackled carefully: a little at a time over a couple of years, not outright destruction. Although these views are my own, I know they are shared by many other regular users of Pickerings Pasture Local Nature Reserve. This is the only designated area for the benefit of flora and fauna in the area and should be treated with more respect. CA Cockbain
14th February 2022
Ten members turned out on this very wet morning, with many of the tasks based near the Visitors Centre, in case of heavy downpours. Maurice and Carol worked on refilling and improving the Insect house. Laura worked hard in the wildlife garden and Jen worked with Rob O removing more plastic tree guards. Katy did some essential litter picking from in front of the hide. Rob C restrung some of the car park feeders onto wire to try to deter the squirrels from damaging them. Paul and Eric were mainly involved in fixing some fencing around the carpark, with Gary lending a hand. He was on hand to dole out the necessary tools and equipment for the various tasks and after filling the pond from the butt, he refilled it for future use. By the time we all returned he and Katy had hot drinks ready and there was cake for all.
Ten members turned out on this very wet morning, with many of the tasks based near the Visitors Centre, in case of heavy downpours. Maurice and Carol worked on refilling and improving the Insect house. Laura worked hard in the wildlife garden and Jen worked with Rob O removing more plastic tree guards. Katy did some essential litter picking from in front of the hide. Rob C restrung some of the car park feeders onto wire to try to deter the squirrels from damaging them. Paul and Eric were mainly involved in fixing some fencing around the carpark, with Gary lending a hand. He was on hand to dole out the necessary tools and equipment for the various tasks and after filling the pond from the butt, he refilled it for future use. By the time we all returned he and Katy had hot drinks ready and there was cake for all.
5th February 2022
Good news! The vegetation in front of the hide has been cleared, at last, by Halton Borough Council. There is still work to be done but it is so much better. Also the benefit from the second bit of cleared woodland is the super display of snowdrops here this year.
Yesterday we received a donation of a large bag of sunflower seeds form a member of the local RSPB group - Norman Pat. This has been added to the large donation of mixed seeds and fat balls etc. at our last work day. We are always happy to receive donations of bird food or money in the Donation Post, some of which also goes towards the bird food.
Good news! The vegetation in front of the hide has been cleared, at last, by Halton Borough Council. There is still work to be done but it is so much better. Also the benefit from the second bit of cleared woodland is the super display of snowdrops here this year.
Yesterday we received a donation of a large bag of sunflower seeds form a member of the local RSPB group - Norman Pat. This has been added to the large donation of mixed seeds and fat balls etc. at our last work day. We are always happy to receive donations of bird food or money in the Donation Post, some of which also goes towards the bird food.
28th January 2022
A very distressing visit to Pickerings Pasture hide today! A friend put out bird food yesterday and left at 15:45, when all was well. This morning the hide vandalised. The bird table had been pulled out of the ground and thrown into the undergrowth, The shelf at one viewing slits was pushed over and one of the panels at another had been pushed out. It is heartbreaking to find such a mess and its all so pointless.
We were fortunate that a couple were visiting the hide and the gentleman helped Rob straighten the pole on the bird table. It was put back into the hole but with no tools it was not a good job, but sufficient for now. No sooner had the food been put onto the table than the long-tails were on it and shortly afterwards the feeders were back to normal. Unfortunately with so much disturbance the birds had flushed from the scrape. However they will soon be back.
As compensation were were lucky to find a flock of 140 redwings and a mixed flock of over 50 mixed finches. They were feeding on the weedy strip alongside the United Utilities path. Also feeding in the field was a buzzard.
Early on 29th January
Eric and Paul, assisted by Katie, repaired the damaged screens and rebuilt the bird table. It was essential that this work was done early as the Merseyside Naturalists Association were visiting the site at 11:00, when Gary was giving a short talk on the History of Pickerings Pasture Local Nature Reserve.
A very distressing visit to Pickerings Pasture hide today! A friend put out bird food yesterday and left at 15:45, when all was well. This morning the hide vandalised. The bird table had been pulled out of the ground and thrown into the undergrowth, The shelf at one viewing slits was pushed over and one of the panels at another had been pushed out. It is heartbreaking to find such a mess and its all so pointless.
We were fortunate that a couple were visiting the hide and the gentleman helped Rob straighten the pole on the bird table. It was put back into the hole but with no tools it was not a good job, but sufficient for now. No sooner had the food been put onto the table than the long-tails were on it and shortly afterwards the feeders were back to normal. Unfortunately with so much disturbance the birds had flushed from the scrape. However they will soon be back.
As compensation were were lucky to find a flock of 140 redwings and a mixed flock of over 50 mixed finches. They were feeding on the weedy strip alongside the United Utilities path. Also feeding in the field was a buzzard.
Early on 29th January
Eric and Paul, assisted by Katie, repaired the damaged screens and rebuilt the bird table. It was essential that this work was done early as the Merseyside Naturalists Association were visiting the site at 11:00, when Gary was giving a short talk on the History of Pickerings Pasture Local Nature Reserve.
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19th Jan 22
The Halton men were at work again, but in conversation with them they have assured us that all the bird boxes that have been destroyed will be replaced. We have a map of all our boxes, so we will be able to assist. At the hide we were delighted to see the long-tailed tits on the bird table: they are regular on the feeders but this seems to be a new venue for them. The kingfisher was busy trying out its new post together with some of the others. The new post gives better photo opportunities. Halton Borough Council had promised to clear some vegetation for us from in front of the hide in the late Summer but sadly we are still waiting ! As the tide made it way in a green sandpiper arrived and started feeding in its favourite haunt around the reed bed. |
Long-tailed tits on the table
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Green sandpiper.
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Removing the bog garden.
The blue tit's nest.
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17th Jan 22
There was a good turn out for our first work day of the year, with thirteen members attending. Gary outlined the jobs that needed doing and the groups went off to work. Laura, Gary and Katy worked in the garden: it had been decided to get rid of the boggy area as it has proved impossible to keep it damp enough during the hottest part of the summer. It meant a lot of digging out and the mint proved especially difficult to clear with its never-ending root system.Jen and Carol went down to the United Utilities path and tackled the old plastic tree guards that were originally put around the trees to protect them from rabbits. It was surprisingly hard work being bent double most of the time and negotiating the dead branches underfoot was troublesome! Some largish branches had obvious been brought down in the recent storms. Rob C, Paul and Eric put up five new tit boxes, a starling box, four robin boxes and cleared out several of the older nest boxes. A squirrel's drey was removed from the owl box, so finger's crossed for better luck this season. The nest from the tit box in the garden was removed and although mainly made from moss, dog hairs had been used to line it. Dave, Rob O, Dave and Maurice remained near the Visitors Centre. The buddleias and other shrubs on the main drive were cut back, the willow arch was replanted and the area generally cleaned up to show the snowdrops and other bulbs in their full glory. Rob O also made several new habitat piles in the woodland areas. Vera and Malcolm had coffee and cake (provided by Paul) ready for us when we returned to base. Quite a number of people thanked members today, which is lovely. Someone also dropped off some boxes of bird food and squirrel food for us to use around the site. A huge thank you. Our next work party will be on Monday 14th February at 10am. A few days later a few of the lads went back and finished putting up the rest of Laura's bird boxes - a generous gift. |
12th Jan 22
Noticed that the men from Halton Borough Council were out again, this time in the second block of woodland. Although the woodlands do need some attention I must admit it does upset me (and a lot of other people) to see the wholesale destruction of the undergrowth. Watching programmes like Countryfile they often mention that our insects etc are suffering because deer are rooting out the undergrowth - and here we are doing the same thing in woodland were there are no such problems. Surely on a Nature Reserve they should do what is best for nature?? Just a personal view...
On the up side the songbirds were very busy in the low sunlight; cheering us with their songs. The Song Thrushes were the most prominent with their repeated phrases. Other birds were still in flocks: at least eight long-tailed tits were foraging with one flock and another flock contained a goldcrest and a chiffchaff. Adding colour to the proceedings was the male bullfinch, the female is drabber. Filling the small feeders is always fun: as usual the blue and great tits were beaten to first in line by the robin.
Noticed that the men from Halton Borough Council were out again, this time in the second block of woodland. Although the woodlands do need some attention I must admit it does upset me (and a lot of other people) to see the wholesale destruction of the undergrowth. Watching programmes like Countryfile they often mention that our insects etc are suffering because deer are rooting out the undergrowth - and here we are doing the same thing in woodland were there are no such problems. Surely on a Nature Reserve they should do what is best for nature?? Just a personal view...
On the up side the songbirds were very busy in the low sunlight; cheering us with their songs. The Song Thrushes were the most prominent with their repeated phrases. Other birds were still in flocks: at least eight long-tailed tits were foraging with one flock and another flock contained a goldcrest and a chiffchaff. Adding colour to the proceedings was the male bullfinch, the female is drabber. Filling the small feeders is always fun: as usual the blue and great tits were beaten to first in line by the robin.
