Week 17 19/03/14 Leaf Burst and Frog Spawn

Photo Blog Week 17 - Wed 19 Mar 2014

A stunning spring day though a cold wind in the afternoon in exposed areas.  Today I was looking for signs of spring getting a grip and in particular I was on the hunt for frog spawn which I felt sure should be commonplace but had been surprised last week not to see any.

Arrival at the Park entrance you are currently greeted by a long bank of golden daffodils. 

The BBC were in today filming a drama around the Hall and Gardens. Car park was full of vehicles including old cars. Very different to years ago when it would have all been BBC liveried OB units. Everything was bland white with company names on; I guess they are all contract services working for any production company and the BBC is just one.

route: Hall North entrance along the Lime Avenue to below The Cage; up over Cage Hill and drop to Coalpit Wood; follow Boundary Wall by Reservoir; Follow brook to Park Entrance Admissions booth.

North Entrance with a lovely blue sky

Interesting sky and silhouettes between main hall and the Orangery

Along the Lime Avenue below Cage Hill spring is heralded by leaf burst 

I just liked this view of The Cage

...as I did this zoomed in view to the Kinder Plateau

 Result! I found frog spawn - bottom right of main photo

Lesser Celandine

I find it interesting that flowers at this time are largely yellow though crocus and wanda primroses do also introduce purple and white. Don't tend to see reds or blues. 

route: Briefly cross bridge to entrance road; check out daffodils (earlier photo); re-enter Park and turn right

Looking over the bridge at the entrance.

The railway turns into Disley Station not far from here. The is a footpath (steep) from Disley Station giving a direct route to the Park.

route: Turn back at gate to private Elmerhurst Cottage; retrace steps to stile into Elmerhurst Wood; follow path through Elmerhurst Wood; continue parallel to Main Drive; enter Crow Wood staying left and exiting above Timberyard Cafe

Another of my, 'Nature's Artwork' moments with these star burst dried seed heads from last year. 

route: Lunch at Timberyard; cross to Main Car Park; follow drive toward West Park Gate; fork right along Four Winds wall; cross meadow parallel to western boundary to farmland; climb up and over dropping to The Knott Car Park along wall

Apparently this is being used as a 'Black Maria' (An old police van)

The Walling group at Four Winds for once having good weather 

OK, more frog spawn. This time still on the bottom with a dusting of mud 

 Zoom in on Manchester City Centre

route: Through gate to West Parkgate Drive and Haze Bank; West Parkgate Lodge then retrace to Poynton Brook lower path; climb to outcrop above Cluse Hey

 The flower of Coltsfoot appears before the leaves which I find interesting 

Rhododendron clearance continues above West Parkgate drive. Rangers Dan and John with some lads from Stockport College today.

I came in to join the Conservation team last Thursday working down from above this position. It's hot and tough work but very satisfying and socially enjoyable. 

Significant progress has been made but it has to halt for this year shortly as it cannot continue into nesting season.  The stumps with be reduced where necessary with chain saws then when new growth starts they will be treated with a herbicide that interferes with the photosynthesis process thereby starving the plant. The stumps are very solid wood and will probably take 10-15 years to begin to rot down. Meanwhile planting and natural seeding should see more English woodland plants return and in 100 years another generation will wander through bluebell woods.  

The wild garlic near West Parkgate Lodge is beginning to smell now as its leaf area increases 

 I have often commented about not using the lower path above Poynton Brook. Not too bad today after a dry period but this bit is really difficult when wet.

route: Along ridge to Paddock Cottage; stile to wall path above Cluse Hey; enter Knightslow Wood. keep left to gate out to Drinkwater Meadow; return to Main Car Park

In the middle of the ridge near Paddock Cottage - I've no idea so feel free to comment if you know. 

A stunning day looking across to Bowstonegate Farm on the horizon 

 More leaf burst above Cluse Hey

Gorse in flower 

 Late afternoon light across Drinkwater Meadow

Larch bursting open - look when you pass, it's like lots of little green shaving brushes 

 Also Larch - baby green cones
(apologies over blurry shot; very windy at this point and branch whipping about)

route: Calling into Estate Office in the Hall to sign out.

Lady atop the Hall looks down rather unimpressed with visitors

Anyone know who she is?

5hr 15min  8.25 miles