Cheesden Valley and Ashworth 30-1-2010.
After having to cancel their first two trips this year due to the awful weather, it was a wonderful treat to have clear blue skies for Rochdale Field Naturalists’ recent walk around the Ashworth and Cheesden Valleys.
Fifteen members met at the Queen’s Park Road car park and as they started the walk Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits, Goldfinch and a Robin were sighted in the trees around them whilst a Goosander flew overhead. It wasn’t long into the walk before a Mistle Thrush and more Goldfinches were spotted perched high in the trees around the Lake whilst a Wren stayed low down in the bushes.
The group continued through the Park and walked under the Queens Park Road bridge to Hooley Bridge where a Sparrowhawk was seen circling above. Continuing into Simpson Clough time was spent trying to catch sight of a very elusive Nuthatch before walking on to Ashworth Road passing the Crompton Paper Mill. After a few yards the walk followed a track to the left leading into the fields above Cheesden Valley. This was an ideal spot for the group to take their lunch break as the views across the surrounding countryside were quite spectacular and the bulky structure of the Jodrell Bank telescope stood proud on the horizon. The heavy snow fall earlier in the month was still evident on the Pennine and Peak District hills. A Greater Spotted Woodpecker was sighted relaxing in nearby trees. Continuing on the path along the top of the valley towards Nab’s Wife before crossing the Cheesden Brook at Kershaw Bridge and turning back to Ashworth Fold, a Jay and a mixed flock of Fieldfare and Starling were sighted. Deer prints were evident in the mud and a short while later the group was fortunate to see a fleeting glimpse of a Roe Deer as it scampered away.
Although not many species of fungi were seen the group found perfect examples of Hairy Curtain Crust, Birch Polypore, Jelly Ear and Oyster Mushrooms in the valley.
As the group approached Ashworth Fold on their return to Queens Park, flocks of Rooks and Jackdaws were sighted in the fields along with Redwing and Mistle Thrush. Further sightings included Heron and Kestrel on the lookout for food, while two circling Buzzards created excitement in the Group
The walk back through Queen’s Park with final sightings of Blue and Great Tits brought to an end what had been a memorable day especially with such perfect weather.
Image by Peter Francis
