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WILLOW BANK POND
IN RESPONSE to the implied criticism by some of your correspondents about the draining of Willow Bank pond, people need to be aware that management have a responsibility to maintain the property and its environment.
The feed source of Willow Bank pond is a natural spring which remains running and is still creating a albeit much smaller expanse of water.
RSPB representatives are of the opinion that wild life will be able to adapt to this temporarily changed environment. In fact moor hens have taken the opportunity to nest on the banks of the stream. They will unfortunately have to move house when the pond is refilled. This could be deemed to be interfering with wild life nests and may have to be delayed. The RSPB are being consulted on this.
With respect to the kind neighbour who provided the paddling pools, this was done for the benefit of resident wild life before the pond was emptied. Visiting Canada geese, which are very territorial and aggressive have nested near to the pond and have driven away the adult white geese and ducks and killed any young ones.
Finally, one wonders if the complainants are more concerned about the changed outlook from their property, which incidentally is maintained and wholly funded by Willow Bank residents.
A Crocker, Willow Bank resident (by email)
Willow Bank pond has now been refilled after work was carried out to clear out silt and clean the pond.
Saddleworth Independent reporter Trevor Baxter spoke to Dave O’Hara from the RSPB, about any possible distruption to the wildlife and nests.
Mr O’Hara said: “I went up to check just to confirm there wasn’t anything in the moorhen nest.
“The Canada Geese seemed quite happy on the lawn of the place. It wasn’t looking too bad.
“One of the residents came to me concerned that if any goslings got stuck at the bottom of the drained pond they wouldn’t be able to get out again and would be sealed in.
“I also checked that and at the building end of the pond, they could get out over the bank.
“I don’t think there has been any lasting damage.”
Inspiring show
I just wanted to say thank you to the Saddleworth Independent for the tickets to Brass Fest 5, which was a fabulous show.
My daughter and I really enjoyed it and it has inspired her in her brass lessons at school.
Natalie Leach, competition winner (by email)
BLUEBELLS BROUGHT a splash of spring colour to the banks of the Huddersfield Canal in Uppermill as they blossomed in full force last month.
And the gorgeous sight was captured by John Brooks, from Delph, who sent in this picture.
Meanwhile, Cyril Fogg took this magnificent photograph from the A635 Greenfield to Holmfirth Road, capturing the stunning rolling hills.
He added that many years ago a book provided by the travelling West Riding library van indicated that the Raven Stones area was the last nesting place of Golden Eagles in the Saddleworth area.
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