Archive

2008

Saturday 18th October. Work party. 8 participants continued birch scrub clearance in the Northern enclosure and also undertook the annual vegetation monitoring programme. Joint event with Steel Valley Project. Great weather again.

Sunday 5th October. Work party. 25 participants, many from the University of Sheffield Conservation Volunteers, helped clear a large area of scrub in the Northern enclosure. Once again we were very lucky with the weather. Joint event with Sheffield Wildlife Trust.

Sunday 21st September. Work party.  A group of 7 participants continued the clearance of the northern boulder slope. The day was very warm and sunny and the work quite hard but satisfying as the landscape gradually changed. Later in the day we attempted to round up the 2 remaining sheep in the western enclosure but without success. Why pay for gym subs when all this fresh air and exercise is free?

Sunday 7th September. Work party. A group of 7 volunteers meet up on Wharncliffe heath to clear birch from the northern boulder slope on the heath. This is an extremely difficult area to work due to the large boulders and crevasses many of which are hidden by heather or bracken, so everyone had to take great care. Some quite substantial trees were cleared particularly along the path near the electricity pylon. In addition a temporary repair was made to the fencing which had been damaged. The weather was warm and sunny for most of the day and work was only brought to an end at 3.30pm by a massive thunder storm. Thanks to all those who participated and to Sheffield Wildlife Trust for providing tea and biscuits throughout the day!

Wednesday 23rd July. Batty about newts. 27 participants heard Nightjar and Woodcock on the heath, Palmate Newt adults and tadpoles and hawker dragonfly larvae in the pond, and saw Common Pipistrelles and the occasional Daubenton's bats. We were very lucky with the weather!

Sunday 25th May. Dawn chorus walk around the reserve with Jim Clarke. 8 early risers were present for what proved to be a very enjoyable amble. All the common woodland birds were seen or heard other than Garden Warbler and Nuthatch. Among the listed species found to be probably breeding on the reserve were Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Bullfinch and Linnet. Finding 3 Wood Warbler territories (one on the reserve and the other two just the wrong side of the Plank Gate) was a particular pleasure.
 

Sunday 30th March. Work party. 4 hardy souls spent the day making some glades in the new enclosure below the crags. Joint event with Sheffield Wildlife Trust.

Sunday 2nd March. Birch bash with Sheffield Wildlife Trust.  11 volunteers finished birch clearance in the southern enclosure. It is now ready for the sheep, cattle and birds to arrive!

2007

Sunday 2nd December. Birch bash with Sheffield Wildlife Trust. 15 volunteers continued the clearance of birch regrowth in the southern enclosure and helped the stockman round up some of the sheep for transportation to winter pastures.

Sunday 4th November.  Birch bash with Steel Valley Project. 6 volunteers carried on the job of clearing the birch regrowth in the southern enclosure and cleared brash from the newly cut firebreak.

Sunday 28th October. Find fungi at Wharncliffe. Joint event with Sheffield Wildlife Trust, led by Michael Senkans. The event attracted 20 participants who between them found and identified 46 species of fungi.

Sunday 7th October. Birch bash with Steel Valley Project. 7 volunteers continued the work in the Southern Enclosure and did fixed-point photography.

Sunday 2nd September. Birch bash with Sheffield Wildlife Trust. 7 hardy souls tackled the birch scrub in the Southern Enclosure.

Wednesday 25th July. An evening visit to Wharncliffe Heath LNR. 27 attendees discussed the management of the site and heard Nightjar churring before listening to 55kHz Pipistrelle and Daubenton's Bats hunting over the dam pond, and watching the numerous Palmate Newts and dragonfly larvae within its waters.

Monday 4th June. Very probably 2 male Nightjar active from 21.55 until 22.15 at least. Churring, frog calls, and wing-clapping suggested presence of female(s).

Saturday March 24th 2007. "Rhodo bash" at Wharncliffe Heath, with Sheffield Wildlife Trust. 10 volunteers helped to contain this alien invader (Rhododendron ponticum) which is poisonous to livestock and chokes surrounding vegetation.