Wildlife photography in or around Manchester

lucyb

lucyb

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Lucy
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I'd like to try my hand at some wildlife photography, but have no idea where to start.

I live in Manchester and don't have a car. Where are good places to go that are accessible by public transport?
 
I believe round the Salford area, had quite a few animals on show last week:)
 
PsiFox said:
I believe round the Salford area, had quite a few animals on show last week:)
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I've heard a large number of them have now been locked away again. ;)

Perhaps I should add that I'm looking for somewhere to go where I'm not likely to get my camera stolen!
 
I'm sure a local will be on soon to give you a serious answer:)
 
Dunham Massey at Altrincham would be one place to look at, there's Deer and plenty of ducks and Birds.

You could get a bus into Altrincham then there would be about a 20 minute walk to the park.
 
Heaton Park, Prestwich - Burrs Country Park, Bury (Great views of the East Lancs railway here too!) - Sale/Chorlton Water Parks (VERY good!) - Chat Moss between Eccles and Culcheth - Clifton Country park - Moses gate Country park - Daisy Nook Country park.
Need any more?
 
Is there anything in particular you would want to shoot, birds, small mammals or larger animals... deer etc?
Where are you based, I wouldn't want to suggest somewhere that would take you a while to get too.
 
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Which side of Manchester are you ?

Might help us give you ideas within reach of public transport without too much travel and changing / waiting for it ?
 
Thanks everyone for their replies.

PsiFox, those links were really helpful and should be a good starting point.

wontolla, interesting suggestions. I've already been to Daisy Nook, as it's only a 20 min walk from where I live. I'll look the others up although I suspect some of them will be too awkward to get to.

ChrisH, that sounds very promising. Thanks.

I should have been a bit more specific earlier, but I live Failsworth, so halfway between Manchester and Oldham. I'm not sure what I want to shoot yet, I guess I'm just looking at what's possible to try out.
 
Thanks MarkE. I don't think it's accessible via public transport, but it sounds like a good day out.

It's very surprising just how many wildlife and animal centres are around!
 
Lyme park is quite good for deer, though that might be a bit of a trek for you.
 
Styal too - when I lived in Manchester 20 years ago, it was red squirrel central at Styal.
 
hunnymonster said:
Styal too - when I lived in Manchester 20 years ago, it was red squirrel central at Styal.
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I've not heard of Styal before. However, a quick Google suggests that things have changed a lot in the last 20 years and that all you're likely to see now are greys :/

Since starting this thread, I've been to the North Lakes to see red squirrels (an excellent experience!) and I've visited Daisy Nook a number of times.

I've moved and now live near Denton/Gorton. So, I've been to Debdale Park and Gorton Cemetery (photos still to be processed). Both seem devoid of wildlife at the moment though.
 
That's sad news indeed - but either way - Quarry Bank Mill and it's surrounds are pleasant and there's usually something about there.

Lyme Park? That's public-transportable (if my hazy memory is working correctly).

Erddig/Clywedog - bit more of a hike (both in terms of the trip there by train and from the station).

Formby dunes - again a bit more of a hike by train - but it's not a million miles away.

(I did all these as a student - railcard-tastic)
 
Hi Lucy,

I live in Denton, so here's my limited knowledge!

From Debdale, go down Hyde Road, under the railway bridge, and a couple of hundred yards on the right is a nature walk. Not been myself for a few years, so dont know the current status.

Going the other way from Debdale, go along the main A57 towards Denton, and a few hundred yards up is Kings Road which is mostly unadopted and takes you up to Audenshaw reservoirs. Take a look at manchesterbirding.com for latest sightings.

Etherow country park is within easy reach by bus, and is in between Compstall and Marple and has various bird sites, and Cheshire wildlife trust have a hide there. An easy photo opportunity there is the resident Egyptian goose which is fairly photogenic and almost certain to be at the 'keg' area of the park.

Going the other way, there is Platt fields park which is near the curry mile. Lots of water loving birds, heron, etc and friendly squirrels (grey)

There's also the canal system which goes right from Oldham throuth to MArple and beyond, but can be a bit hit and miss about what you see.

Dovestones in Greenfield in Oldham is an RSPB site but might be a bit of a hike by bus.

Hope that helps a bit

Mike
 
Etherow Park in Stockport is brilliant, loads of ducks, geese and swans around the entrance to the park.

Past the weir at the back of the park is another mini reserve ran by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust which has a hide overlooking the river. Here you can see kingfisher occasionally plus the usual duck life. To the side of the hide, and quite possible the best bit, is a feeding table. Forget the table, and put your feed on the raised floor right outside the hide window. Stick a twig in the ground just above it for birds to perch on and within minutes (especially at this time of year!) you'll have a variety of woodland birds no more than 2ft away. I used to fill my frame with 70mm.

Take the train to Marple and walk back through Brabyns Park, or the bus via Stockport!
 
hunnymonster said:
That's sad news indeed - but either way - Quarry Bank Mill and it's surrounds are pleasant and there's usually something about there.

Lyme Park? That's public-transportable (if my hazy memory is working correctly).
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purpleclouds said:
Etherow Park in Stockport is brilliant, loads of ducks, geese and swans around the entrance to the park.
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Thanks! I've never been to any of those places; they certainly seem worth checking out.
 
pooley said:
Hi Lucy,

I live in Denton, so here's my limited knowledge!

From Debdale, go down Hyde Road, under the railway bridge, and a couple of hundred yards on the right is a nature walk. Not been myself for a few years, so dont know the current status.

Going the other way from Debdale, go along the main A57 towards Denton, and a few hundred yards up is Kings Road which is mostly unadopted and takes you up to Audenshaw reservoirs. Take a look at manchesterbirding.com for latest sightings.

Etherow country park is within easy reach by bus, and is in between Compstall and Marple and has various bird sites, and Cheshire wildlife trust have a hide there. An easy photo opportunity there is the resident Egyptian goose which is fairly photogenic and almost certain to be at the 'keg' area of the park.

Going the other way, there is Platt fields park which is near the curry mile. Lots of water loving birds, heron, etc and friendly squirrels (grey)

There's also the canal system which goes right from Oldham throuth to MArple and beyond, but can be a bit hit and miss about what you see.

Dovestones in Greenfield in Oldham is an RSPB site but might be a bit of a hike by bus.

Hope that helps a bit

Mike
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Thank you! Loads of useful information!

I'm very keen on trying the hide at Etherow. The internet says you have to collect a permit from the ranger's lodge. I assume there's nothing in particular I need to do, other than ask?

I think the Audenshaw reservoirs also require a permit now, which is a shame and the internet was a little unclear about how you get one (other than acquiring a dog to walk).

manchesterbirding.com looks like an excellent resource though!
 
lucyb said:
Thank you! Loads of useful information!

I'm very keen on trying the hide at Etherow. The internet says you have to collect a permit from the ranger's lodge. I assume there's nothing in particular I need to do, other than ask?

I think the Audenshaw reservoirs also require a permit now, which is a shame and the internet was a little unclear about how you get one (other than acquiring a dog to walk).

manchesterbirding.com looks like an excellent resource though!
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I wouldn't worry about the permit, I've never had one nor been asked for one. In fact, I've never even seen the ranger in there.

When you get to the weir head up the 'private' road towards the farm and there's a small gate on the left at the end of the lake. It's in there :)

Audenshaw might be different as I remember reading that it was locked and you were given a key? Though apparently there were also holes in the fence.
 
I was down at the etherow hide this afternoon. Like purple clouds said, no permit required just common sense. Also, as per purple clouds earlier advice, I was getting virtually full frame shots of robins, blue tits, ltt's etc with a 70-200mm.
 
Why not try Pennington Flash Leigh its easliy accessable by bus. The Bunting Hide is ready made for a beginer and you are guaranteed shots on a nice day. Horrocks Hide is faily easy too.
 
Martin Mere is a great day out but not sure how you can get there from Manchester, although there are two railway stations in close proximity to Martin Mere: Burscough Bridge Interchange (on the Southport - Manchester line) is approximately two miles, New Lane (on the Southport – Manchester line) is approximately 0.8 miles
 
Thanks again everyone.

Etherow and Pennington Flash Leigh sound like good places to try when I next have a whole day free.

Reddish Vale Country Park also sounds like a really good place to try, especially given as it's a short bus/walk away. The Manchester birding forum says there is work starting tomorrow to improve the wetlands, great news in the long term, but does anyone know how it'll affect things short term?
 
If it's re-profiling work with a digger, that's the kind of thing I used to do and it has little impact on the wildlife. The birds just ignore you unless you get out of the cab. The aesthetic impact for people can be huge though, initially creating muddy areas and there's also the noise. Most work usually has to stop before bird breeding season starts, preferably by the end of Feb but frequently into March.
 
OneTen said:
If it's re-profiling work with a digger, that's the kind of thing I used to do and it has little impact on the wildlife. The birds just ignore you unless you get out of the cab. The aesthetic impact for people can be huge though, initially creating muddy areas and there's also the noise. Most work usually has to stop before bird breeding season starts, preferably by the end of Feb but frequently into March.
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Ah, that's helpful. Thanks. I'll plan my trip for end-of-March onwards then :)
 
Here's a quick teaser from a brief visit today.. I had to sit at the back of the hide, 5ft from the window as I only took my 400mm! I could have just taken the wide angle though, he popped in the hide and picked off at least 3 spiders! The last one foolishly dangled down from the window and was snatched just inches from my face.. a wonderful experience :)

ACUK9687.jpg
 
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You're quite welcome to half, it's more sturdy and photogenic than any perch I could be bothered finding :D

Wasn't much else about apart from the robin, someone forgot some bird food. Nice LTT! :)
 
Wow, that LTT shot is stunning. I may have to pay a visit to this site.
 
Beautifully marked Mandarin drakes on the way down towards the reserve at Etherow , purpleclouds you look like your avatar , I saw you coming away from the hide area a few months ago when I was talking my grandson for a walk.
You had a big long white thing attached to your camera ;)

Julian
 
There's a gorgeous Mandarin drake that can be found on the canal at Stalybridge (amongst the Canada geese) usually around the Tesco's supermarket! You find gems in the weirdest places :)
 
rusty said:
Beautifully marked Mandarin drakes on the way down towards the reserve at Etherow , purpleclouds you look like your avatar , I saw you coming away from the hide area a few months ago when I was talking my grandson for a walk.
You had a big long white thing attached to your camera ;)

Julian
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The beard comes and goes, but not much else changes!

It does draw quite a bit of attention, I should take it out on the pull :nuts: You should have said hi!
 
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