I notice you've visited Astley Moss Jane - do you know there are three small nature reserves at the south end of the Moss? The whole area, Astley, Irlam, Bedford, Little Woolden Moss and Holcroft Mosses are known as Chat Moss. They run up to Holcroft Lane to the south, after that it's Rixton and Risley Mosses - a huge area, unfortunately a lot of it is inaccessible to the general public.
I visited New Moss (perversly, on Little Woolden Moss!) reserve yesterday, run by the Woodland Trust. It's a small (30 hectare) reserve consiting of newly planted native hardwoods running into scrub birch and willow. It's too young (1995) to be really good yet, but they did some work on it last winter, cutting back scrub to create more edges, which has made it more attractive. Lots of butterflies though on the massive nettle and thistle beds, roe deer (though I've never seen any) and I almost always see foxes if I visit early. Yesterday, on the surrounding farmland, I saw a brood of yellow wagtails, linnets, corn buntings and yellowhammers - all species which have declined dramatically locally.
Holcroft Moss reserve is an area of mature typical moss woodland with a cleared area adjoining which just screams Short Eared Owl or even Hen Harrier in the winter!. Jennets Lane reserve (it hasn't actually got a real name as far as I can see) is a little gem! Approx. 200 acres of farmland, bought by the Forestry Commission a couple of years ago. A couple of woods, but mostly hay meadow which I presume they will cut later this year, with thick, mature hedges. It's only a couple of years old and in a dozen visits (I only discovered it earlier in the summer) I've encountered five people! Whilst walking around it's difficult to believe you're only a few miles away from Manchester.
If you're new to birdwatching Jane, then try a visit to Pennington Flash and go to Bunting Hide, especially in winter. It's a feeding station and can be quite spectacular - close up views of many species of birds, including the odd water rail!
saluki
