Blog #8 Black Squirrel now at Moore Nature Reserve

I've almost set the scene for the start of this. Please read the previous blog Blog #7. No real confirmation for the sighting of the black squirrel yet. I'm waiting to hear from the warden regarding the possibility that there are indeed black squirrels on the reserve or if I need my eyes checking OR am I the one who has made the discovery and first spot and he offers me the job at the reserve I'm about to apply for. All of which may become clearer by the end of the day.

Nothing more to say on the matter for now, well Ive lots to say but Ive also lots to do so I'm going to push off and return when I have the facts!

You can get more info here -  BBC Nature Black Squirrel

Blog #7 Spring run & Horthorne Blossom

I've started to realise something over the last week. I'm at the gym every day training for a half marathon, doing endless miles on the treadmill and cardio workouts which to be honest are less than inspirational. So as it happens on the morning of 24/02/11 the sun it belting down its rays of warm spring summer sunshine and from there on in I think my training habits will change forever.

Not since starting the quest to complete my first half marathon sometime late last year haven't I really done any running outdoors. Ive only just reached a level of fitness that makes me feel I can cope with being seen outside trying to achieve such a goal. For an ex 20 a day smoker and someone with a taste for anything with an alcohol volume getting to this stage had been no walk in the park, let alone jog!

Anyway this is a little blog about the lovely run I had to Moore Nature Reserve.

It's about a 7 mile run in total, no pressure, no stopwatch and no running partner. Out the house and a short warm up jog onto the Black Bear path, this is part of the Trans Pennine Trail. Follow it south towards the village of Stockton Heath. It's not the most inspiring parts of the journey or indeed the TPT but it's nice enough and I do spot a Jay and the flowering daffs are a nice sight also.

Reach Stockton Heath and cross over the road by the swing bridge, this is part of the Manchester Ship Canal. The trail now follows the canal and it's lush banks out of Warrington.

It's only about 2 miles until you reach the reserve and during the last section of my run that hugs the banks was where I spotted this amazing Horthorne tree in full blossom. The sight of it as you run round the corner really mugs your eyes, it broke what was a great running stride immediately.

I almost always carry a camera no matter where I'm going or what I'm doing but as you are expecting me to say, on this occasion I'm without it so the mobile phone camera will have to do. No close ups sorry, lens wont allow it but the can get the general idea of the scale and beauty of it. Walking past it taking some shots I could hear the low hum of thousands bees all over it, all busy collecting pollen, quite a sight and the perfect interruption to my run.

Picture taken I quite literally 'jog on'!

Arriving at MNR it was hard to believe the changes that have taken place since I last visited which wasn't so long ago. The sudden arrival of spring has really brought the reserve to life, just the noise volume alone, wildlife really does know when it's time to wake up!

I reach my halfway point, the return journey will be the same as my arrival route but as they say 'beauty is in the detail' so I'll be keeping an eye open for the wildlife and nature to change the view as I make my way back.

On the whole a great run, I think the point I'm trying to make if there is one is that it's time to start spending more time outdoors once again.

Please check the next 'squirrel Blog' its connected to this.

Thanks again for reading

Blog #6 Spring at last

SPRING ARRIVES

Well it’s the start of spring. This means two huge events for me personally. F1 racing season starts and it really is time to get back out doors and enjoy what nature has to offer up during 2011.

Everyone was treated to a fantastic equinox with the moon a little over 350, 000km away as it passed over the northern hemisphere, about 30, 000km closer than normal. In general term this means the moon looked amazing and it was a great curtain raiser to spring.

So I’m expecting this season to be a good one. I’ve learnt quite a lot about wildlife over the past year so it should make things much more interesting when out and about.

Enjoy spring everyone!

Blog #5 Wet and warm conditions spark a toad/frog migration

Its a frustrating time of year for frogs and toads. They wait for warmer weather, it's normally anything above 5c that will prompt their journey to the nearest pond. So over at Moore Nature Reserve the toads and frog waited for warmer nights to arrive. During late Feb the weather warmed up and the frogs and toads took their chances. Here are some pictures from the migration. Myself and Nez along with a few other people without a social life were on hand to help them over the road to the pond. In total over a weeks migration over 500 had a bucket ride across the road to safety.

You can get more info here - Check out the website Froglife

Blog #4 Buzzards at Wigg Island Event

The Buzzard was the first predator bird I spotted. This local event looks good so I will be attending this! If anyone has a good website link for more information on the Buzzard then please feel free to post the link in the comments box. Thanx

Blog #2 Moore Nature Reserve

I'm still finding my way around this thing at the moment so for now I'm going to start off with writing a little about my local nature reserve. Along with training for a marathon it's my  passion. I think Nez (that's me and Nez at the bottom of this page) feels I'm not spending as much time there as I used to which could be true but spring is on its way. I love winter walks and nature is amazing no matter what the season, but it is much more fun when the sun is out.

Moore Nature Reserve is a 200-acre site in Warrington, North Cheshire. The reserve consists of five large lakes surrounded by extensive woodland, meadows and wetlands, made accessible by a network of paths and bird hides. Its many habitats provide a home for a variety of birds, mammals, insects, plants, amphibians and fungi. The reserve is open to the public at all times, 365 days a year. Moore Nature Reserve is managed by wardens for the Waste Recycling Group.

Check out the website / Join Face Book now Moore Nature Reserve

Now would be a good time to mention that The Forestry Commission look after Upper Moss Side at the reserve. The reserve has a fantastic program of events during 2011.

This is just to get the ball rolling on the Blog, I'll be posting much more about MNR so keep checking back for updates.

Check out the website

Blog #1 Welcome

Born in Warrington (England) I was brought up a true northerner.

Always thinking I would end up as a steel worker like my father, life in Warrington was never that bad. People who lived here loved it. We had some strong home grown industries, everyone thought they had a job for life but with the demise of the town’s big employers this was not to be. I found myself taking a very different career path concentrating on my two passions, music and photography.

Music was always a huge passion, working in Manchester during the 90's as a freelance photographer meant working hard in the day and at night I'd be watching bands or clubbing. My nights started to get as long as my days, something had to give.

The Hacienda, now legendary Manchester night club, was my second home. I started getting more involved in music and bands. Taking photographs was taking second place, in the end I dropping the camera to concentrate on being a music promoter and venue manager.

Fast forward several years and several thousand hangovers later I’m running my own bar and live music venue but it’s now 2009 / 2010 and the country is in recession. In the end the bills mount up it's not working out so the doors on the bar and club close and I had a re-think.

At 40 I take stock of myself, I have time on my hands. After spending nearly ten years in bars and nightclubs it was time to do something that I'd always wanted to do.

Get fit, pick up my camera again, start enjoying life and start getting out there and explore!

This blog is dedicated to all that I do now. I hope you enjoy the blog and enjoy my view of this beautiful and amazing planet.