Alison Hunt
Environment Officer
Last Wednesday there were 10 herons at Fielden Park near the college and Hollies (photos below). We are currently proposing this area as a Biodiversity Hotspot. The Council Biodiversity Officer visits proposed sites and assesses them on the following criteria:
1) naturalness
2) diversity
3) community involvement
4) sustainability
Please can you jot down all wildlife seen in this area including any butterflies/dragonflies/ moths/ amphibians/ wild flowers etc. Are the herons actually nesting in the area? Does anyone know what they are feeding on in the fields? Please let me have any comments which may help our application.
I think community involvement can consist of study, learning and enjoyment of surroundings. The herons are extremely shy and limited public access to the waterlogged fields is an important reason why they have settled here. Fielden Park may even be eligible for nature reserve status if the herons settle permanently.
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At 13.45 Thurs Dec 7, this Sparrowhawk was eating a small bird (greenfinch probably) in the croft directly behind Stratford Ave M20. Jonathan managed to get these great photos without a tripod looking through the glass of our windows. I have seen a Sparrow Hawk several times over the Albermarle allotments. It has been seen from Meltham ave M20 next to the disused and wooded railway line; it has also been seen in the garden of 19 Darley Ave which lies near the Mersey. It is wonderful to see such a splendid bird in West Didsbury - this timely sighting emphasises the great importance of conserving our remaining natural urban habitats which include railway embankments, river valley greenbelt, gardens and green open spaces such as playing fields and allotments. Alison Hunt
Marie Louise Gardens
Why Live in the Country?
What a great neck of the woods we live in! Not only is it green and leafy but, as suburbs go, it is very rich in wildlife - a wide variety of birds, foxes, frogs, hedgehogs, the odd badger and field vole....they are all here. Aerial photos of West Didsbury show a long, green corridor that has developed in the disused railway cutting over the years, and this habitat must account in part for the sheer variety and number of birds that we see in our gardens.
This year I've been particularly lucky: apart from the usual birds that visit my garden - greenfinches, coal tits and the blue, great and longtailed varieties, robins, blackbirds, jays, magpies, dunnocks, woodpigeons, collared doves (alas, no sparrows or goldfinches), I have had four regular visitors that are often more elusive: a nuthatch, a pair of bullfinches (very rare, now on the Red List) and a handsome great spotted woodpecker with a fondness for bird cake.
A tit box that I made about five years ago and put up on a wall by my living-room window finally attracted a couple of occupants: a pair of great tits whose comings and goings certainly enhanced the garden scene. I have also fallen asleep to the hoots of tawny owls and been entertained by the dulcet tones of a song thrush with an extensive repertoire, who perches on the topmost branch of the conifer in my back garden and, day after day, sings his heart out....Why live in the country?
Barry Aelion
1/8/06
Wild About Trees: Message from MCC
Have you got a favourite tree in Manchester? Tell us what it is, where it is and why your tree is special. Is it big, bold and beautiful or small and perfectly formed? Is it special because it reminds you of a person or particular occasion? We also want to hear about the location of trees of real value locally, historically and culturally that may be eligible for a tree order.
Whatever the reason, we would like to know more.
You can send photos, poems, paintings, stories and anecdotes via our website, www.manchestergreencity.co.uk/trees or direct to:
Dave Barlow, Green City Team Room 6019, Town Hall Extension, Manchester M60 3NY.
For more information, go to our website or phone 0161 234 4507.
The best tree nominated will receive a prize, and will be featured in a future display celebrating Manchester's trees.
MCC 4/8/06
The mature urban trees, green spaces, gardens and railway embankments of
Aims of our Project
Our project attempts to record, monitor and protect our local wildlife and its habitats.
West Didsbury Residents Association believes that a green environment which supports our native wildlife a is an essential factor in of our quality of life. We aim to raise awareness and appreciation of our our local trees, wildlife and biodiversity. We work to try and conserve wildlife and improve landscaping schemes on development sites in our area by negotiating with planners, developers and our local councillors. We try to promote wildlife-friendly gardening and to retain and protect habitat in green corridors such as railway embankments and hedgerows which form important links enabling wildlife to move through the urban landscape. We are keen to promote responsible pet ownership and ask all cat owners to fit their cat with a collar and bell or one of the new ultrasound devices available in order to minimise bird kill.
As wildlife project co-ordinator, I collect data and sightings of wildlife in this area in order to try and protect key areas of habitat, roosts or nest sites. Please let me know of any sightings of bats you have made giving date, time, location and weather conditions. Please also let my know of any other interesting wildlife sightings. All information given to the Wildlife Project will be kept confidential and used only to help conserve and safeguard wildlife.
I liaise with MCC's Biodiversity Officer, planners, the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit and when necessary our local Police Wildlife Officer. Our association upholds national legislation which is designed to protect wildlife and trees. Members of WDRA also take part in the RSPB / BTO Garden Bird Watch count - this means that local data on bird populations becomes part of the wider picture of national bird population trends. This year I have been monitoring Tawny owl activity in
All local councils in
Alison Hunt
5/8/06
Wildlife Law and Planning Legislation There are Laws and Planning guidance which offer legal protection to wildlife and trees. These include:
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to deliberately disturb or destroy the nest of any British bird while it is in use. It is an offence to recklessly destroy any bat roost or to kill any bat. Other highly protected species include badger and Great Crested Newt.
Protection of Wild Mammals Act 1990. It is an offence to crush, impale or asphyxiate any wild mammal or to hunt it with dogs.
The Town and Country Amenities Act - gives legal protection to any tree in a Conservation Area.
The Town and Country planning Act 1990 - allows for any trees and tree groups which enhance your local environment , whether private or public land to be protected by Tree Preservation Order.
Section 197 of the Town and Country Planning Act also states that "it shall be the duty of the local authority to ensure, whenever it is appropriate, that in granting planning permission for any development adequate provision is made by the imposition of conditions for the preservation or planting of trees."
A felling License quota is required under the Forestry Act 1967 before any significant area of trees is felled.
Planning Policy note 9 and the European Habitats Directive - protects any features in the landscape which act as stepping stones for wildlife dispersal through the landscape; these include ponds, small woodlands and hedgerows. Alison Hunt 5/8/06
Current and Recent Projects
It is an uphill struggle conserving wildlife and our conservation projects are not always successful. Here are some recent examples of our work:
Raising awareness with planners about an important colony of House Martins nesting under the wide eaves some of the few remaining hospital buildings. House Martins are Amber Listed by the British Trust for Ornithology as a species in decline. WDRA is pressing for these buildings to be retained and for provision of suitable eaves on adjoining new buildings. Working with MCC planning department to enforce protection of
Trying to upholding Tree Preservation Orders, wildlife protection, correct tree protection distances and adequate replacement tree planting and tree aftercare on a number of development sites including Greystoke Hall, Southern Hey, Christie Fields,
Calling in the authorities to enforce the Wildlife and Countryside Act at
Calling police to caution a gang of suspected Fox diggers operating in the
Helped to raise awareness of Network Rail's illegal destruction of birds nests during embankment clearance during the bird nesting season.
Raising awareness of the presence of bats on several development sites and ensuring full survey work and mitigation was carried out. Negotiating as a member of the Greater Manchester Bat Group for replacement tree planting and provision of bat boxes with the Environment agency following flood bank work and tree felling along the
We have attended meetings and had input into Greater Manchester's new Tree strategy.
We will attempt to ensure full habitat mitigation and wildlife / tree protection during any possible future development of metro link, We are keen to avoid blanket clear felling as was carried out so destructively by network Rail.
Alison Hunt
5/8/06 Contact Details for Conservation/ Protection/ Rescue/ Recording of Wildlife