Walk up the Hollinwood canal through LNR and Daisy Nook

The LNR is a Site of Special Scientific Interest IE of national importance. It has a rather faded sign that promised lots with floating water plantain, arrowhead, red pond weed, reed bunting among many others in 'one of the best examples of standing water in Greater Manchester.' I knew from an earlier visit that this was more a ancient historical document than current as the site is badly degraded and not even poorly managed as it appears to be simply left. I visited to see if it was as bad as I remembered from five years ago. It wasn't. It appeared much worse. The canal in full of bulrush, willow, Himalayan Balsam and no standing water. The other flora included beside these, limited Water Mint, Gipsywort, Water Forgetmenot and one small patch of Water Soldier and Frogbit. There were also a Southern Hawker and speckled wood Butterfly and not much else. The sign should be adjusted to read Hollinwood LNR 'this was one of the best examples of standing water in Greater Manchester and it ain't no more.'

Further on in Daisy nook parts of the canal are used for fishing so parts in water remain open others have been filled in and are foot paths. There was some limited interest here with Hart Tongue fern, Lesser Spearwort, Gipsywort, Nodding bur marigold, wall rue, devils bit scabious, zigzag clover, Water forgetmenot, wood aven, enchanter nightshade, several commas, peacock and speckled wood butterflies.

There is a local group trying to reopen this canal to navigation and link up with the Rochdale canal. This would not be an easy task due to the M60 dissecting it, but it couldn't be in any worse state for wildlife if it was so good luck to them.

-- Edited by Ian Boote on Sunday 25th of August 2013 02:10:52 PM