Explore the Wildlife in Cheshire East with the Rangers

April 30, 2023 Mums&Dads 0 Comments Cheshire, outdoor activities

May 2023 events from Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Service

The Rangers have been happily sharing wildlife sightings with each other in the last few weeks. Just yesterday Ranger Martin spotted this fantastic Holly Blue butterfly (pictured) on Bluebell Meadow at Macclesfield Riverside Park.

Hopefully you’ll also have been spotting butterflies on the wing, birds carrying nesting material around in their beaks and bees buzzing around looking for nesting holes.

May is one of our busiest months for wildlife themed events, so take a look below and book your places to join us to explore the wildlife in Cheshire East.

Scroll right to the bottom of the page to see all of this month’s events and get your tickets booked ASAP so you don’t miss out!

Tuesday, 2nd May – Outdoor Fitness Class at Astbury Mere Country Park

Are looking for a fitness class during the week that’s outside and you can bring your child?

Open to everyone even if you are wanting to add extra training to your week or wanting to get fit after having a child in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. No matter what fitness level you are the class can be tailored to suit all abilities.

The sessions vary each week depending on numbers and the weather. They can include full body toning, cardio sessions, core work and flexibility.

Suitable for anyone over the age of 18. No booking necessary, just turn up and pay as you go £6 per person.

This event repeats every Tuesday morning of the month.

Time: 10am to 11am
Meeting point: Astbury Mere Country Park, Sandy Lane, Congleton, CW12 4FR (SJ846627)
Leader: Personal Trainer Kelly Morley
Information: 07803 245590 or email Kelly Morley
(Car parking charge / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Healthy walk / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)

Thursday, 4th May – Plein Air Painting Workshop: Distance & Aerial Perspective

If you want to get out of the studio and paint outdoors this series of workshops with Christopher Clements and Kieran Ingram will guide you through some of the key things you need to know. Each workshop focuses on a different fundamental of painting the landscape.

In May’s Workshop you’ll learn how to create depth and atmosphere in your landscape painting by looking at the effect distance has on colour and tone.

As the features of the landscape recede into the distance there are subtle colour and tonal shifts which are affected by the weather and time of day. You’ll learn to use these shifts to capture the specific atmosphere of the time you’re out painting.

Creating Distance
Atmosphere
Warm & Cool Colour

Booking and payment in advance essential. Cost £80.

Time: 10am to 3.30pm
Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP
Leaders: Artists Chris Clements and Kieran Ingram
Information: Email Northern Realist or visit the Northern Realist website
(Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Easy walking grade / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments)

Book tickets for Plein Air Painting Workshop: Distance & Aerial Perspective

Sunday, 7th May – The Birdlife of Astbury Mere in May

Join local birder Mark Stubbs for an early morning walk around Astbury Mere to see the extensive birdlife that thrives in the park. Spring migrants should be here in abundance.

Booking and payment in advance essential. Suitable for anyone over the age of 8. Adults £5, children 16 or under go free.

Time: 7am to 9am
Meeting point: Astbury Mere Country Park car park off Sandy Lane, Congleton CW12 4FR
Leader: Local birder, Mark Stubbs
Information: 01260 297237
(Bring binoculars if you have them / Car parking charge / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Easy walking grade / Full accessibility – level or ramped access / Healthy walk / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Wildlife walk )

Book tickets for The Birdlife of Astbury Mere in May

Sunday, 7th May – Outdoor Fitness at Tegg’s Nose Country Park in May

A 2-hour outdoor fitness session for those wanting something a bit different as part of their fitness regime! The session will involve a warmup and cool down with running, steps, hill sprints along with a variety of exercises!

The class is not for the faint-hearted but for those wanting a challenge and who like being in the outdoors in a fantastic country park!

Booking and payment in advance is essential. Cost £15. Suitable for anyone over the age of 18.

Time: 9.00am to 11.00am
Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733)
Leaders: Personal Trainer Kelly Morley
Information: 07803 245590 or email Kelly Morley
(Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Car parking charge / Healthy Walk – Event)

Book tickets for Outdoor Fitness at Tegg’s Nose Country Park

Saturday, 13th May – Spring Evening in Kerridge

A 6km (4 mile) walk exploring the footpaths of Kerridge on this historical walk and enjoy the views from Kerridge ridge.

Booking and payment in advance essential. Adults £5, children 16 or under go free.

Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Meeting point: Jackson Lane, Kerridge, Bollington, Near Macclesfield, SK10 5BD, (SJ935773)
Leaders: Ranger Ed Pilkington
Information: 01625 383700
(Bring binoculars if you have them / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Historical walk / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Strenuous walking grade / There is a charge for this event)

Book tickets for Spring Evening in Kerridge

Tuesday, 16th May – River Bank Management

This is a hands-on conservation tasks, helping us to keep our dynamic River Bollin in check, next to key footpaths. Bring a good pair of gardening gloves and loppers if you have them.

We will be using the materials on site to form brash bundles or willow weaving to strengthen the riverbanks alongside the River Bollin.

Booking in advance essential. Please bring your own wellies, gloves and waterproofs. Suitable for anyone over the age of 13.

Time: 10.00am to 3.00pm
Meeting point: Twinneys Bridge Car Park, Styal Rd, Wilmslow, SK9 4HW (SJ839821)
Leaders: Bollin Valley Partnership Rangers Emma Houghton and Nik Ginn
Information: 01625 374790
(Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Healthy walk / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)

Book tickets for River Bank Management

Wednesday, 17th May – Birds, butterflies & wildflowers of Higher Poynton

A leisurely walk around Jacksons’ Brickworks Local Nature Reserve & the Middlewood Way. We will listen and look for the area’s resident birds as well as early spring migrants including chiffchaff, willow warbler and blackcap.

We will also be on the lookout for spring butterflies including orange tip and brimstone, while enjoying the wildflowers along the way. This is a slow-paced walk of 1.6km (1 mile).

Booking and payment in advance is essential. Adults £5, children 16 or under go free.

Time: 9.00am to 11.00am
Meeting point: Jacksons’ Brickworks Car Park, Pool House Road, Higher Poynton, SK12 1TY (SJ945844)
Leader: Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Pete Dowse
Information: 01625 383700
(Bring binoculars if you have them / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Easy walking grade / Healthy walk / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Partial accessibility – level or ramped access / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event / Wildlife walk)

Book tickets for Birds, butterflies & wildflowers of Higher Poynton

Wednesday, 17th May – Foraging Workshop and Balsam Bashing – Mottram

Alongside our regular balsam bashing events we are trialling a partnership with Forager Jim, from Forage Box, who will be running a foraging section of the event for a heavily discounted price. All we ask in return is that you help out by pulling up a little balsam.

This workshop is designed to get you as involved as possible – this includes identifying, picking and tasting a range of wild plants that will be found on the day, along with as much Himalayan Balsam removal as you like!

Booking and payment in advance is essential. Adults £11, children 18 or under go free. Suitable for anyone over the age of 6.

Time: 9.00am to 1.00pm
Meeting point: Mottram Hall Hotel car park, Wilmslow Road, Mottram, SK10 4QT (SJ885795)
Leaders: Bollin Valley Partnership Ranger Emma and Forage Box
Information: 01625 374790
(Children must be accompanied by an adult / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Partnership event / Places limited – please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event)

Book tickets for Foraging Workshop and Balsam Bashing – Mottram

Wednesday, 17th May – Batty about Bats

Join South Lancashire Bat Group and Bollin Valley Partnership Ranger Naomi on a majestic bat walk as the sun starts to fade and dusk draws in.

This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about bats in their natural environment. You will learn the importance of bats and you may even get to see and hear them. Learn how to identify different species of bat using bat detectors.

Booking and payment in advance is essential. Adults £5, children 16 or under go free. Please bring a torch.

Time: 8.45pm to 10.00pm
Meeting point: Parish Hall Car Park, The Carrs, Cliff Road, Wilmslow, SK9 4AA (SJ847816)
Leaders: South Lancashire Bat Group and Bollin Valley Partnership Ranger Naomi
Information: 01625 374790
(Car parking charge / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Easy walking grade / Places limited – please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event / Wildlife walk )

Book tickets for Batty about Bats

Thursday, 18th April – Foraging Workshop and Balsam Bashing – Bowdon

Booking and payment in advance is essential. Adults £11, children 18 or under, go free. Suitable for anyone over the age of 6.

Time: 9.00am to 1.00pm
Meeting point: Bow Green Farm, Bowdon, WA14 3BY
Leaders: Bollin Valley Partnership Ranger Emma and Forage Box
Information: 01625 374790
(Children must be accompanied by an adult / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Places limited – please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event)

Book tickets for Foraging Workshop and Balsam Bashing – Bowdon

Thursday, 18th May – Salt Line Tree Walk

A gentle walk along the Salt Line with one of the Rangers. We will be walking at a slow pace with regular stops to look various trees and talk about the different species. This is a chance to learn a little bit about how trees live and grow and some facts and folklore.

Booking and payment in advance is essential. Adults £5, children 16 or under, go free.

Time: 10.00am to 12.30pm
Meeting point: Salt Line Car Park, Alsager Road, Hassall Green, CW11 4YB
Leader: Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Alistair Wright
Information: 01477 534115
(Bring binoculars if you have them / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Easy walking grade / Partial accessibility – level or ramped access / Places limited – please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event / Wildlife walk)

Book tickets for Salt Line Tree Walk

Sunday, 21st May – Dog Behaviour Clinic with Vic Barlow, the Dogfather

Many owners of otherwise obedient dogs have trouble maintaining behaviour on walks. Dogs that will come when called in the garden often go deaf when they meet other dogs. Walking quietly to heel is often a problem in a more distracting outdoor environment.

During this short outdoor behaviour class, at Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Vic will demonstrate, in a more natural environment, how to transfer good obedience work into the real world and also essential techniques for dealing with livestock encountered during walks in the countryside.

Following this free session there is the option of a short paid ‘one to one’ training session with Vic (Cost £10 – any funds raised will be donated to Animal Support Volunteers). Please email Vic Barlow to also book a ‘one to one’ session.

Time: 10.00am to 2.00pm
Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733)
Leader: Local Dog Trainer Vic Barlow
Information: 01625 374833
(span style=”font-size: small; color: #000000;”>Car parking charge / Easy walking grade / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / Wildlife walk)

Tuesday, 30th May to Friday, 2nd June – Moorland Adventure May Half-Term Kids Activity Club

A great way to experience some varied exciting activities in the countryside with local experts Moorland Adventure! Based at Tegg’s Nose Country Park, each day focuses on different activities and it will give you a taste of adventure! Suitable for anyone between the ages of 8 and 16. Booking and payment in advance is essential. All day 4 participants must be “Water confident”.

Day 1 – Tuesday 30th May – Archery, Problem Solving and Orienteering at Tegg’s Nose
Day 2 – Wednesday 31st May – Climbing and Scrambling at The Roaches
Day 3 – Thursday 1st June – Canoeing, Kayaking and Paddleboarding at Rudyard Lake
Day 4 – Friday 2nd June – Tree Climbing and Bushcraft at Tegg’s Nose

Cost £38.50 per day or sign up for all 4 days for a reduced price of £135.

Activities run from 9.00am to 4.00pm but to allow for maximum flexibility, you can drop off your child from 8.30am and collect at any time between 4.00pm and 5.00pm.

Please bring a packed lunch and drinks with you each day or you can purchase a packed lunch option (including sandwich, drink and snack) from Tegg’s Nose Tea Room on days 1 and 4. Breakfast and afternoon snacks are also available to purchase from the Tea Room before and after the activity club sessions on days 1 and 4.

Time: 8.30am to 5.00pm
Meeting point
Days 1 and 4 Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733)
Day 2 Meeting point: The Roaches, Roach Road, Near Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8UB (SK00416212)
Day 3 Meeting point: Rudyard Lake, Rudyard, ST13 8RN (SJ950580)
Leaders: Moorland Adventure
Information: 01625 573615
(Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Places limited – please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)

Book tickets for Moorland Adventure May Half-Term Kids Activity Club