Rochdale: A wildlife haven

Like many of us, Style writer Paul Brady used his spare time during lockdown to explore the great outdoors and discover the glorious countryside and wildlife all around us...

Though the last few months have not been ideal for us humans, nature has flourished in the quieter times and lesser traffic. Many people began to enjoy the sights and sounds of the natural world close to home with time to slow down and enjoy it. Nature is a wonder tonic that we can all benefit from and there is an abundance of wildlife in Rochdale.

We are blessed with some great open spaces such as Hollingworth Lake or Healey Dell whilst also being surrounded by moorland hills and canals to explore. You don’t even need to venture far as, believe it or not, our busy town streets can provide us with many opportunities to ‘bump’ into wildlife. No matter what your level of knowledge or mobility, the ‘trick’ is to keep your eyes open to what is around you.

For many years, our Town Hall has been home to Peregrine Falcons. You may see them perched high up on the tower or see them swoop across the Esplanade in search of food (usually an unsuspecting pigeon). Rochdale Council built a nesting area for the birds in 2008 to give them a safe haven to sleep, breed and raise their young. Following the annual competition to 'name the chick' this year's beautiful falcon chicks were named Dino-soar and Beaky Blinder!

Peregrines aren't the only birds of prey to share our space. Walking through Littleborough, one afternoon, I was surprised to see a Kestrel, with its wonderful russet plumage, hovering intently over a grass verge close to a busy junction.

A Sparrowhawk once dived into our front hedge, in Norden, with a great commotion, trying to get the sparrows within it. After a huge flurry of its impressive wings it sat on my car roof, its beady yellow eyes clearly visible as it patiently waited in vain. I was thrilled to see such a magnificent bird and able to admire its speckled, tan coloured plumage only metres away.

Small but spectacular, Kingfishers are increasingly seen thanks to our cleaner waterways. Their iridescent azure blue wings are colourful and very noticeable as they fly low over flowing water - a brief glimpse is usually all you can get. I was lucky enough to see one close to Rochdale town centre, on the River Roch. As I waited to see if it would return, its mate appeared from a hole in the river bank and flew after it; to see not one but two was a rare sight indeed. And of course, statue-like herons are always an magnificent sight by the water.

During a recent lockdown walk in Norden, I watched a Great Spotted Woodpecker with its vivid red markings pecking at the ground for food. It kept returning to the same spot, clearly undisturbed in the quieter surroundings.

The borough, and Healey Dell in particular, is home to a variety of owls. The best time to go looking for them - known as owling - is at dawn or dusk when they are more active. Keep as quiet as you can and don't get too close.

Roe deer are frequently seen in our town, close to woodlands and often spotted by early morning dog walkers. I have often seen them skipping across the fields of Norden and Bamford, though one encounter at Watergrove Reservoir stopped us in our tracks, coming across a large male deer stood quietly eating the vegetation in front of us. We stood absolutely still before the deer sauntered away and back into the trees.

Warm nights (when we get them) are perfect for bat watching. Small Pipistrelles are commonly seen as they swiftly fly around urban gardens or close to trees and houses. As their habitats have reduced, the many ‘bat boxes’ erected on trees allow them to roost during the day before emerging at dusk to feed off the insects and reduce the number of annoying gnats!

After dark, is also a great time to spot hedgehogs, badgers and foxes. One lockdown encounter involved a family of small fox cubs who suddenly appeared from shrubs late one night; closely watched by ‘mum’ their antics were very amusing as they played on the pavement like any pup.

A pond is a haven for a plethora of aquatic wildlife. Adult frogs usually spend their day, well hidden, under damp wood or vegetation. Toads differ in appearance flatter and browner but a great sight when occasionally seen.

Water also attracts Damselflies and the larger Dragonflies. They are large attractive insects with huge wings and long tapered bright blue or yellow bodies and never fail to impress when flying around or sunning themselves, resting in the reeds on warm, balmy summer days.

When it comes to identifying butterflies I am hopeless but can claim some success as in the summer of 2019 the media told us to expect the arrival from abroad of a great number of Painted Ladies. There were, indeed, so many that even I could identify the orange and white markings with great ease. There's something about butterflies that instantly makes you smile isn't there.

You will encounter our great Rochdale wildlife when you are out and about in one of our many parks, out walking on the hills, around waterways or, often, closer to home than you think.

Paul Brady