Feeder Station

Some of Andy Huyton's pictures at the feeder station

Feeder Stations

There are now three feeder stations on site.

Many thanks to all those Group Members who organised these

and to others who help keep them topped up.

Mick and Kath Sharpe have submitted this photo of a female kingfisher at Cromwell Bottom.

For more birds on site click here.

Feeder Station

We have received reports of Hawfinch at the feeder station at C.B.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled and camera at the ready!

From Andy Huyton - via the "Grapevine".

Results of Meeting on 30th January re Budget proposals

Please find attached a note from Monday's well attended meeting. 

This has been emailed to colleagues from Anthony Rae.

The deadline is next Wednesday 8th February budget(at)calderdale.gov.uk; the 

following Monday 13th is when the Cabinet will actually make its budget recommendations.
   I've already prepared a draft of our joint statement and I will circulate it to you as soon as possible for comment/approval; 
Then next Thursday 9th February 6 p.m. the council's Communities Scrutiny panel will be reviewing budget proposals including the Countryside Service. 
That is when I will present our joint statement and I would recommend you attend if you can/want to. You often get a chance to submit your views in person.
   also find attached a copy of an article that appeared in yesterday's Courier.

Anthony     Link to Minutes of Mondays Meeting   Link to Courier article

R.S.P.B. Regional Agricultural Adviser. Visit on 12/1/2012

The summary report of the site visit is posted on the information page.

Kingfisher Demise

I do hope I'm wrong here but I have been watching the KF on the Elland side of Crowther Bridge by the Fishermans car park for a couple of weeks, only today I watched it dive into the reed area where the steps go down and the tin hut is, but it didn't come out, now I might have missed it if it came out sideways quick but I waited for half an hour and even went down the steps to look for it but couldn't see it, if anybody finds it put a note on the blog please. Yours gwh

January Meeting

Thanks to everyone for coming last night on a damp and miserable evening ,thanks to Bob Wilkinson updating us on whats happening with north loop and access for surveying the site he will be supplying the lock and keys for us. We now have a treasurer in Niall Roach who has graciously accepted the role , Hugh gave us a talk on how to conduct a survey and what to look for.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday the 21st of February venue to be announced at a later date.
yours GWH

Calderdale budget proposals

Calderdale have published their draft budget which include severe proposed reductions in the Countryside Service.



The following location has all the proposals and a feedback form which can be downloaded;
http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/consultations/council-budget/communities-budget-proposals.pdf
 
The Countryside Service proposals are shown on the last 3 pages of "Communities Directorate Detailed Growth and Savings Proposals" and although it doesn't say much it does show a headcount reduction of 6 and a budget cut of £160K in 2013-14. This is bound to have a major impact on the services we see from the Countryside Service and I personally intend to provide feedback to the Calderdale Cabinet. If you wish to do likewise then feel free, as the more voices raised expressing concern the better.

1st Volunteer Day

Many thanks to everyone who came on Saturday for the first volunteer day as Bruce has already said the weather gods were smiling on us and we cleared quite a large area of trees and scrub .
The feeling was to have the second Saturday in the month as a regular work day , for those who couldn't make it or would like to come along to the next one on Saturday the 11th of Febuary you will be very welcome, the plan is to plant some trees in the tag loop and various areas around the site. yours GWH

Link for pictures

New Images

More images have been uploaded from Mike Henshaw on the Birdlife at Cromwell Bottom page.

Thanks Mike

Venue Change to the January meeting

Hi everyone the meeting on the 24th of January has been changed to the Mulberry Suite , Bob Wilkinson who is heading the recapping of North Loop is going to update us , and then we will have our meeting directly after, meeting to start at 7pm , Hugh will also be running through how to conduct a survey and access to north lop issues which will take approx 45mins . For those of you who don't know where the mulberry suite is , if you turn left on to Church Lane and then immediately left on to Parsonage Lane you will see the school gates in front of you go straight forward and park in the school car park the Mulberry Suite is under the the new set of flats directly in front of you .ALL WELCOME
yours GWH Map Link

RSPB Meeting Today

Firstly thanks to everyone who attended today , the day started with SUNSHINE (at last), an aerial display from a sparrowhawk and ended with a kingfisher and we had some dam good info and advice in between .
To Chris and Nigel (RSPB) many thanks for your time and attention , and we look forward to seeing your report and of course your welcome to come back at any time. yours GWH      Photo Link

Birds at the new Feeder Site

Steve Cummings has posted a detailed report of the new feeder site at Cromwell Bottom

on the Bird Blog.

Click for Link

New feeder area

The new feeder area is up and running thanks to Allan's work on this , a few of the birds seen so far are
GSW / Nuthatch / all the tits / Bullfinch / and Redpoll today , looking forward to seeing this area progress yours GWH

North Loop Info

As some of you know the North Loop area of Cromwell Bottom is to be recapped , the work was to go ahead in 2012 however due to contract issues this will not now happen until 2013 , the known newt colony that is now there will have to be moved and a new pond will be made away from the recapping area .
This gives us an opportunity to do a study / survey of that area which has been closed to us for 10 or so years , the details have to be sorted out with Huge /Bob / Robin etc, but limited access will be given to a selected few, from the Groups involved . Anyone wishing to do a survey could they get in touch with me and when things are sorted i will relay the details to you .
yours GWH

5th January 2012

A beautiful sunny day at Cromwell Bottom, my first birding trip of the year and also my Birthday!

On the car park feeders were 3 great tits & 2 blue tits.
I walked over the bridge, the river was up to nearly 2 metres and was gushing powerfully over the weir, not surpising after the weather we've had lately!

I walked over the yellow brick road route again hoping to pick up another bird of prey as on my last visit but no such luck. As I reached the top and rejoined the path down towards spider bridge I noticed some goldfinch feeding in the mud, I counted 8 in total but im sure there were more as they kept flying in and out. Another small brown bird joined them, I would say smaller and fatter than the goldfinch, brown streaked back with pale underparts streaked with black, it also had a distinct white wing bar. My thoughts after it flew off were juvenile dunnock, but on looking up on my return it could have potentially been a lesser redpoll, I really can't be sure as my photos didnt focus (how annoying!).

As I reached the bottom of the path I noticed some new feeders off to the left of the bridge, here were 8 great tits, 3 blue tits and a robin. The area was also underwater so whoever is filling the feeders up well done to you!!

Carried on into the main part of the reserves, another 2 robins, blackbird & wren (heard). 2 cormorants on the water ski lake with the usual numerous Black Headed & Herring gulls. This one seemed to be a very short trip, I think I spent too long watching the goldies! Headed back via the same route, Cormorant flew over on the way back.


Water levels starting to pick up on the lakes now which is good news, if only I could get around to see the far end of the main lake where there is open water (paths were under a good amount of water and I didnt fancy trying!). Hopefully we can clear some of the reeds in 2012...

11 Great Tit
5 Blue Tit
3 Robin
8 Goldfinch
1 Blackbird
1 Magpie
3 Cormorant
Black headed gull (uncounted)
Herring gull (uncounted)
1 Wren (heard)
1 Carrion Crow
1 little brown job!

January Meeting

Robin has organised a meeting with Chris Tomson from the RSPB to visit Cromwell Bottom on the 12^th January 2012. Click for full details.

New Images

Some superb new images have been uploaded from Mike Henshaw on the Wildlife at Cromwell Bottom page.

Thanks Mike

Sightings 12.12.11

Arrived today with excitement of exploring the Brockfoot loop which I haven't previously visited, thinking tag loop was the extent of the reserve! A lovely sunny day and quite mild for this time of year. I started off in fishermans car park with Blue & Great Tits and our friend the grey squirrel! I walked on to the reserve and this time across the yellow brick road. As I reached the top I spotted a Kestrel hovering which eventually flew. I continued on down towards spider bridge when I heard a great commotion in the trees, suddenly a Sparrowhawk flew out only about 10ft above my head, a great sight but alas I had forgotten my camera (again!).

As I crossed spider bridge a party of Long-tailed tits crossed with me, this seems to be a favourite spot for them, also present were goldfinch. And then into the unknown! An overgrown paradise awaited, I finally found one of the lagoons which is severely overgrown, probably 90% overgrown with reeds, a real shame as i'd hoped to maybe pick up a few waders. I crossed the bund between lagoons 1 & 2, there is actually a good amount of water in lagoon 1 but lagoon 2 looks a lot drier. I wouldn't recommend crossing the bund as this is where it got very messy! A steep slushy bank was difficult to negotiate, and once on the other side of the reserve the paths along the river bank were particularly boggy, avoid this path unless you have wellies & waterproofs on, it's quite hard going.

I finished at the far end of Spaghnum Bog (wibbly wobbly) and decided to walk back on the canal footpath, rejoining the reserve for a short stretch where a dog walker with dogs unleashed ruined the chances of any more birds and the two kids on their cycles... Its clear people have been coming on to the reserve from the canal paths even up sloped banks.

Lots of black headed gulls as usual on the watersports lake and 6 cormorants on the water jump. Another party of long tailed tits waved me off from the fishermans car park from my short visit.

A nice visit but im looking a bit worse for wear in my muddy trousers in the office this afternoon! Highlight of the visit was the Sparrowhawk. Unfortunately I think this will be my last visit to the reserve of 2011, I look forward to meeting the FoCB members in 2012.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all at Cromwell Bottom, lets hope 2012 yields fantastic results for this wonderful place.

Colin Duke

There is a short note about the sad death of Colin on the Calderdale Wildlife and Bird Blog. Colin died on Saturday at Overgate Hospice aged 62. There is no doubt Colin would have been prominent in this group and the first to get his hands dirty. He had extensive knowledge of all aspects of Cromwell Bottom.

He will be missed by a great many of us to whom he freely gave help and imparted knowledge over many years.

Sightings 29.11.11

A very blustery day with dark clouds looming! The sound of the wind howling over the power cables created a spooky atmosphere. On the feeders in the car park were blue tit, great tit and a grey squirrel hanging on the nut feeder (again)! As I crossed the bridge over the canal I saw something dive into the water, I wondered if it was the goosander I was looking for the other day. I went for a closer luck but couldnt see anything, waited a minute and got a lovely surprise, a kingfisher flew straight past and landed on a tree branch not far away, as I was taking pictures it flew closer and landed on the tree opposite me! I was dumbfounded, stonking views! It proceeded to catch & eat a fish right infront of me, very obliging, I was totally in the open it must have seen me. Unfortunately the pictures didnt come out as well as i'd hoped due to the very dim light.

I headed on into the reserve not expecting to see much on such a terribly windy day (I was right!). Carrion crow & BH gulls were enjoying the strong winds up on the hillside. As I walked past tag cut some volunteers were carrying out some maintenance works to the paths, good on you! Shame I couldnt help, was on my lunch hour. I carried on around the boundary and came across a flock of 20+ long tailed tits, I dont think i've not seen one at CB since I started visiting! A few more blue & great tits as I headed back to the entrance before the heavens opened!

Not much in the way of variety but delighted with the Kingfisher. Here's hoping for more breathtaking moments on my next visit.

Name Change

At last nights meeting of the Trustees it was decided on a permanent name for the Group and blog.

It was suggested that the name should be "Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group." This was passed unanimously. This name will reflect the purpose of the Group far better.

The Next Group Meeting 23rd November

The next meeting of the Group will be on Wednesday the 23rd of November at the adult learning centre Chapel Lane, in Brighouse (opposite the bus station) at 7:00pm. ALL WELCOME please come along and show your support.

Map of venue.

Tag Cut

A piece of history i found off the internet

Tag Cut, Cromwell Bottom

Prior to the completion of stretch of the Calder and Hebble Navigation canal between Elland and Brighouse in 1808, barges on the River Calder would navigate meanders by temporary “cuts”. Tag Cut at Cromwell Bottom, constructed to provide water access to Elland Stone Mill, was built in 1770 but appears never to have been used. Today, its remains form part of the Cromwell Bottom nature reserve, running just below the railway line and Strangstry Wood.

During the early 20th Century the area was a popular beauty spot but the site was forgotten for many years whilst the area was used as gravel pits and then for landfill. However, the cut still holds water and whilst it has the appearance of being stagnant, there is actually a slow flow which contributes to the diversity of wildlife habitats. It’s one of the most important sites for dragonflies in damselflies in West Yorkshire, with at least ten different species recorded, not to mention herons, kingfishers and a range of flora.

It is certainly an atmospheric place. Due to the area’s history as a landfill site – including for highly alkaline fly-ash produced by the now-demolished Elland Power Station which once stood nearby – the trees cannot put down deep roots in the shallow soil and so appear stunted and unusually contorted. Meanwhile, the water in the cut is tinted orange on account of iron oxide and clay leaching through the soil from old workings at the disused Calder Mine on the hillside above.

It is not known why the cut was never actually used. It may be that it was simply superseded by the Calder and Hebble Navigation. However, a much more sinister possibility is that the area was once haunted by an apparition called Tag, a headless ghost who drove a carriage pulled by a two-headed horse down the length of the cut from a secret passage leading to Elland New Hall. It is even reputed that a room in the hall once went by the name of Tag Chamber.

An article in the Halifax Evening Courier & Guardian dated 6th August 1938 records the experience of one woman who often stayed at New Hall in the early Nineteenth Century. One night she was so disturbed by mysterious crashes emanating from Tag Chamber that she fled the building, believing it to be the sound of Old Tag setting out on his nocturnal travels. Nothing could persuade her to sleep at New Hall again for many years.

Meanwhile, an article in the Brighouse Echo dated 29th October 1971, speculates: “Has anyone seen a headless horseman recently? There is a local legend that such a gruesome apparition can be seen on windy nights galloping past Cromwell Bottom or along Elland Lane at the bottom of Lower Edge. The most likely origin of this tradition is a bitter dispute that occurred some 600 years ago and which has become known as the Elland Feud.”

Such an origin for the tradition would be very satisfactory indeed but on closer inspection it seems unlikely. Whilst New Hall became the home of what remained of the de Eland family after the Feud through marriage to the Saviles, at the time of his murder Sir John de Eland the Younger still lived at Elland Old Hall, sited on the other bank of the Calder to Tag Cut and New Hall, and it thus seems more likely that any such apparition would be associated with Old Hall instead.

gwh

Kai Roberts and Ghosts and Legends of the Lower Calder Valley