Heswall Dales Local Nature Reserve

Alan Irving (Reserve Manager for Cleaver Heath) recently wrote an article about Heswall Dales for RECORD to put in their newsletter.

Heswall Dales

Heswall Dales Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is owned and managed by Wirral Borough Council and forms part of the Heswall Dales SSSI (Site of Specific Scientific Interest). Access is from Oldfield Road, Heswall CH60 6SN (SJ 2595 8242) where there is a notice about both Heswall Dales LNR and Dale Farm. The nearest parking is on Oldfield Road itself. The Friends of Heswall Dales website contains information about what can been seen there. You can find maps both for locating the reserve and for navigating the main paths. Look particularly at the ‘Your Visit’ page where there is a season-by-season guide to flora and fauna.

The main Dales LNR occupies 70 acres of which some 50 are classified as lowland heath. It overlooks the Dee Estuary and is popular with local residents, particularly dog-walkers, who are encouraged to stick to the main paths. Thus there is quite a lot of undisturbed habitat for recording purposes which, conversely, means access to the dedicated recorder can be quite challenging, requiring stout footwear and thorn-proof clothing. As well as attractive heather, Western gorse (Ulex galli) and Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) panels, there are sandstone outcrops, dense scrub areas and birch/oak woodland. The Council web page also contains a copy of the Dales Management Plan. Amongst other things, this contains an overview of the physical characteristics of the Dales and the SSSI citation.

Botanical surveying taking place at Heswall Dales

Botanical surveys of the SSSI are conducted on a 10-year cycle, the last one of which was in 2020. In these, non-plant species are not systematically recorded but only as occasional observations. A small area near the Bush Way entrance (south-east corner) is designated as a Site of Biological Importance.

Complete species bird counts over a fixed route along the main paths have been conducted throughout 2020, yielding some 50+ species. These have been logged using the BTO BirdTrack system. In the breeding season there is plenty of activity by the visiting warblers, and in the winter, Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) are known to be hiding out and are occasionally flushed during conservation work. Various raptors are found all year round including Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus), Tawny owls (Strix aluco), Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and Buzzards (Buteo buteo), which make use of the healthy small mammal populations. Other mammals known to be present are Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), Badgers (Meles meles) and bats about which little is known. Local birders fondly remember the Dartford warbler (Curruca undata) found once in the Dales leading to traffic jams in Heswall, so one never knows what might show up.

Views of heathland and woodland at Heswall Dales

It is not well known how much other recording has been done historically, so there is plenty of scope for further work. We are particularly keen to find out more about invertebrates of all kinds, including butterflies, moths and beetles. The heather is thought to be rich in spider species and merits a proper survey.

For more information about the latest state of recording and further local advice, check with the Friends of Heswall Dales (see their website for contact details) and the Ranger

(christopherwerney@wirral.gov.uk).

The reserve is open 24/7 all year round.

Spring In Heswall Dales

Open Day Saturday 11th May 11.00 am - 3.00 pm

Come and experience ‘Spring in the Dales’ - enjoy woodland walks, rare lowland heath and stunning views over the Dee estuary, surrounded by the sights and sounds of spring.

• Self-guided walking routes with information boards
• Quiz sheets and species tick-lists
• Bird song via QR/smart phones
• Refreshments and toilets available at Dale Farm

Join in outside the Ranger’s Cottage next to Dale Farm off Oldfield Road - families and children welcome

Stout footwear and suitable outdoor clothing is recommended.

For more information check the Friends’ website: www.heswalldalesfriends.co.uk

or

www.facebook.com/friendsofheswalldales

Open Day on the Heswall Dales

Saturday 15th September

11.00 am - 3.00 pm

Come and discover the ‘Treasures of the Dales’ - enjoy woodland walks, rare lowland heath and stunning views over the Dee estuary, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.

The Friends of Heswall Dales and the Ranger will be on hand to point out some of the interesting features of this beautiful local nature reserve.

Walking maps and information will be available from outside the Ranger’s Cottage, off Oldfield Road.

Go around our self-guided walk looking out for the ‘Treasures’ while learning a bit about the natural history of this jewel of Wirral as you go.

For more information check the Friends’ website:

www.heswalldalesfriends.co.uk

Support Heswall Dales!

Help us to support Wirral Council in making the most of this unique space – with SSSI status – in the heart of Heswall.

The Friends of Heswall Dales will hold its second meeting at Heswall Hall on 22nd November at 7pm.

* Find out what’s happening in the Dales.

* Become a member.

For more information please email Neil Irvine

Heswall Dales

Here is some breaking news about our ‘sister’ Local Nature Reserve – Heswall Dales.

Historically, Heswall Dales and what is now known as Cleaver Heath were part of a single SSSI-designated area of Lowland Heath which was also home to Cleaver Hospital. Following the redevelopment of the Hospital site itself and rescue, by Cheshire Wildlife Trust, of the Northern part of the site, the two parts have become a little separated by some intervening private residential ownership.  Nevertheless, Wirral Borough Council who own and manage the 70 acre Southern Dales site and Cheshire Wildlife Trust who own the Northern (Cleaver Heath) site face similar problems in maintaining their valuable Lowland Heath status.

 A group of Dales conservation Volunteers have now started up a Friends of Heswall Dales support group (launched at Heswall Hall on May 31) to provide focus for support activities on what is locally known as ‘The Dales’. The contact address is friendsheswalldales@gmail.com

The idea is to ensure that the needs, hopes and expectations of all user groups can be met and in such a way that the conservation status of The Dales is properly protected. Like Cleaver Heath, Heswall Dales is a local nature reserve whose conservation status places a statuary obligation on its owners. It is not a park or other public space where users may have different recreational priorities. We wish the Friends of Heswall Dales every success in raising the profile of The Dales and helping local users to make good and appropriate use of this perhaps under-appreciated Wirral treasure.

Heather on the Dales

Support Heswall Dales

Join the Friends of Heswall Dales at their inaugural meeting at Heswall Hall on 31st May at 7 p.m.

Find out more about the Dales and how you can help support Wirral Council to protect this SSSI in Heswall.

For more information, please email Neil Irvine