Week 15 05/03/14 - West, Quiet and Green

Photo Blog Week 15 - Wed 05 Mar 2014

I wasn't around last week and the immediate impression this week was the re-appearance of the colour green.  Fresh grass is coming through and many small plants are showing their faces to spring. The last few weeks my patrols have been in strong winds and rain and having got used to that the air felt very quiet and peaceful today. Although I say it was quiet, there was a noticeable presence of bird song.
A sunny, warmish day it really did feel as if Spring is arriving.

Arrived later than usual so did a general litter pick around the Car Park and Mill Pond then grabbed coffee and a sausage butty at the Timberyard Cafe before setting off on a wider patrol.  Patrol into Western area of the  Park estate.

route: Around the Mill Pond then out West to Westpark Gate

 Greeted by a bright spring sky up toward Cage Hill from near the Timberyard Cafe

 Mallards taking to the Mill Pond

 Nature moves on; This is the tree I posted a photo of the amazing bubble like fungus some weeks ago

looking across Drinkwater Meadow to Park Moor

 Westpark Gate drive

 Beautiful spring green spreading across the banks

 Bluebells showing their tips. In years to come as the Rhododendrons are reduced these should become ever more present.  If you see these little shoots, try not to tread on them please.

 Bracken still dry and brown present nice colour contrasts

 Wild Garlic

 - in a few weeks the strong aroma will fill these areas and delicate white flower bunches will appear

 Nature's artwork

 

 Running water

route: Turn back at Westpark Gate then leave Drive up the Tree Root path to Cluse Hey

 

There are two paths here. The obvious path to right of the tree follows a treacherous slippery route along a steep hillside. Climbing the roots to the left of the tree leads to an easy path along the top of the  bank.

Paddock Cottage appears through the undergrowth

 

looking back along the higher track

 

Wall damage spotted across the valley worthy of report. This photo on long telephoto.

One of my favourite spots in the Park. Rocky outcrop over Cluse Hey

 

route: along ridge to Paddock Cottage and Pursefield Wood 

Long shots over Cheshire towards Wales and the coast for later identification

 1 of 4 shots panning left to right to SW-W ; unknown escarpment centre

 2 of 4 shots panning left to right to SW-W; Alderley Edge foreground

3 of 4 shots panning left to right to SW-W  

 4 of 4 shots panning left to right to SW-W;   Fiddlers Ferry Power Station near Widnes

route: bank below Pursefield Wood then back to Paddock Cottage

 

Rhododendron burning 

route: wall path above Cluse Hey to Knightslow Wood

 Always interesting patterns when gaps in drystone walls have be filled

 Wall path along Cluse Hey toward Knightslow Wood

 Gorse coming into it's brilliant yellow flower

 Notice how at this time of year Birch trees present a purple hue from the tips of new growth

 Looking back down Cluse Hey

 Dandelion flower! It must me spring.

route: along inside of Knightslow Wood to Bowstone track gate; follow track through wood to Drinkwater Meadow

 Knightslow Wood; mature Beach trees present such a dark canopy that little gets to grow on the floor

 Exiting Knightslow Wood the view stretches out over the Park through the city scape of Manchester on to Winter Hill beyond

route:  track back to Main Car Park along edge of Drinkwater Meadow

 The grass presenting a brilliant fresh green under the firs in Pursefield Wood.

Not a bad den this one

 Fallow Deer

Looking over the wall into the Fallow Deer enclosure from wood along edge of Drinkwater Meadow

dist: 5.0 miles    duration: 4hr 30min