We have got off very lightly considering the devastation along the valley. Elland Bridge is now closed to traffic and is in danger of collapse.
Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group is a registered charity. Number 1176233
Tuesday 29 December 2015
Some Shots of the Damage
A few pictures of the damage to the Brick Bridge and two barges that sank after hitting the bridge. The path is deep in mud and we have three fridges in the Reserve. Our bund bridge has been dislodged as well and some of the reeds in the Lagoon flattened.
We have got off very lightly considering the devastation along the valley. Elland Bridge is now closed to traffic and is in danger of collapse.
We have got off very lightly considering the devastation along the valley. Elland Bridge is now closed to traffic and is in danger of collapse.
Monday 28 December 2015
Battered Bridge
The road bridge over to the compound has taken a bit of a battering after the floods forced two barges under it which then sank further up the canal. There are also a number of fridges deposited near the weir and the wooden bridge by the lagoon has been moved. On a positive note the lagoon is now full!
All at Cromwell Bottom offer sincere thoughts for all who are suffering from the recent floods along the Calder. The damage to our reserve is very small in comparison. David has contacted me to say that the Post Office in Southowram is accepting food and any other parcels to be distributed along the Valley. There are other ways you can help as well.
See: FLOOD HELP
All at Cromwell Bottom offer sincere thoughts for all who are suffering from the recent floods along the Calder. The damage to our reserve is very small in comparison. David has contacted me to say that the Post Office in Southowram is accepting food and any other parcels to be distributed along the Valley. There are other ways you can help as well.
See: FLOOD HELP
Thursday 24 December 2015
Wednesday 23 December 2015
Festive Season
On behalf of the committee I would like to thank all the volunteers for there hard work this year and all our supporters and visitors and wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year and hope to see you all soon . Yours Graham
Sunday 20 December 2015
Saturday the 12th of December in Pixie Wood and the Sphagnum Bog
We cleared a large area of encroaching willow. This has to be done as willow dries out the bog and the diversity becomes depleted.
Grateful thanks to Martin for these pictures.
MORE pictures here:
Friday 18 December 2015
Pleasant Hour by the Feeders
Managed a quiet hour by the feeders today. The bullfinches are back with three pairs enjoying the seeds. One of the jays has an injured leg but seems to be coping judging by the nuts it was scoffing. Also lots of coal, great and blue tits, a couple of fighting robins, two male blackbirds and a few chaffinch.
Wednesday 16 December 2015
A bird fix
Robin |
Great Tit |
Nuthatch |
Chaffinch |
Blue Tit |
Chaffinch |
Coal Tit |
Monday 7 December 2015
Make some Bird Feeders
This Thursday December 17th
FEED THE BIRDS AT CROMWELL BOTTOM
Meet Robin Dalton from Calderdale for bird feeder making from willows to take home. Children and grownups welcome. Start at 10:00 am. Cost £2:50. Contact Robin on 07712 867619 for further information.
Hot and cold drinks available in the Cabin. All welcome
Grants for the Group
Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group is very grateful to Calderdale Council Community Grants for a grant to support our work on the reserve during the coming year.
Saturday 5 December 2015
Wet and Windy!
Sometimes you just fancy a bit of fresh air don't you? So off I went, camera and binoculars in hand, despite the weather forecast. You can always find something interesting at Cromwell Bottom even on a day like this, so here's what there was....
As I walked upstream to the weir I saw 4 goosander frantically battling the current, but looking quite comical as they "swam" backwards down the channel.
Not surprisingly there were very few birds around. They were avoiding the rising winds I guess. Not me! I pushed onwards to the bird feeding area and found a couple of magpies raiding the peanuts, and a loyal robin on the table.
As I walked back over the canal bridge to the car park I spotted the goosanders enjoying a more sheltered stretch of water on the Calder & Hebble and decided they had the best idea, so headed back home for a nice cup of tea.
Won't it be great when we can open up the cabin regualrly for warm drinks!
We don't often see the river gauge this high |
As I walked upstream to the weir I saw 4 goosander frantically battling the current, but looking quite comical as they "swam" backwards down the channel.
We don't often see the weir running so fast either |
Onwards to the newly excavated ponds...... Visitors may not realise just how much work has gone into this project already but its making a massive difference to the prospects for pond dipping next year. The ponds are now about 4ft deep in places and very muddy at present. Over winter they will settle and clear if we can avoid disturbing the water as much as possible and all the seeds, roots, eggs and hibernating pondlife will gradually reappear. When weather permits we will put some information there about the project.
By June this year the ponds had dried out |
What a difference! There are now 2 ponds, with an island in the lower one and an overflow to carry water out towards Tag Cut |
Roll on Christmas? |
The fungus on the stump looks really bright in the rain |
How deep is the hole on the peanut stump? Roughly half a squirrel deep! |
As I walked back over the canal bridge to the car park I spotted the goosanders enjoying a more sheltered stretch of water on the Calder & Hebble and decided they had the best idea, so headed back home for a nice cup of tea.
Won't it be great when we can open up the cabin regualrly for warm drinks!
Thursday 3 December 2015
Waxwings Today 03/12/2015
Three Waxwings seen today near Cromwell at Rastrick by A.C. Keep your eyes and ears open.
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