Hi Simon the pools as they are now could possibly disappear under concrete but according to the website a 70 acre 'natural corridor will be created. This will include areas of biological importance including willow scrub,wetlands and newly created woodland. It seems when the area was first developed a colony of Water Voles was found. As many as possible were captured and taken to Chester Zoo where they have bred very successfully already some have been relocated to various sites. When Kingsway is finished some will be coming back home. I have asked for the site newsletter to be delivered so I can keep my eye on developements as this could be a little gem in the future. Dave Phillips
I was there between 5.00pm & 6.00pm this evening, only waders noted were 3 LRP's 1 adult and 2 Juvs, a sparrowhawk went through low sending everything up and the adult LRP calling frantically whilst flying off only to return a short time later, the LRP Juv i was watching just crouched low until the danger had past
I took a couple of pics and have sent them to Ian for the Gallery
Also in Rochdale on 18th, a Peregrine over The Esplanade (Info thanks to Steve Costa). Also a pair of Grey Wagtails on the river nearby. I am interested in any more town centre sightings of Peregrines in Rochdale as I would like to get a Peregrine nest tray up on the Town Hall clock tower - as they seem to like them!
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
8 Dunlin this evening but no Sanderling unfortunately. At the moment this site looks great - Rochdale's answer to Titchwell! - but I'm afraid that if it doesn't rain for a few days these pools quickly dry up. Was interested to hear the previous post that this might be left as a nature site - goes against the information I heard from a digger driver here that it would disappear under concrete to be more office developments and warehouses.
There are now 3 Sanderling present on the pools on the north side of Sir Isaac Newton Way. A Peregrine flew through and flushed the waders but these have now returned. Message received from Bill Myerscough at 14:42 hours. For anyone coming from outside the area it is probably best to leave the M62 (Eastbound) at Jct 21. As you drive down the slip road turn off to the left along Sir Isaac Newton Way. The pools are to the north of the 2nd roundabout. It is safe to park just off the roundabout next to two yellow excavators. This is fast becoming Rochdale's wader hot spot!
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The Watergrove Skyline (January 2010) - before desecration.
Saturday 2pm saw the sanderling and dunlin and also a pair of Lrp and a few Lbbgs. This could be a site for the future in the overall plan provision has been made for ponds to be dug so definitely one to watch. Nice find Bill, I wonder if an approach to the developers would be fruitful in a more extensive nature reserve.
Bill Myerscough found a Sanderling, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 7 Dunlin at the Kingsway Business park development in Rochdale, off Issac Newton Way - from Gordon Riggs Garden Centre follow Issac Newton Way to the 2nd Roundabout and you can view the pools on the left hand side from there - Bills internet is down so its a shame he can not do this post - still cracking finds Bill!
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