The Friends of Ladybrook Valley
We are a small group of enthusiastic volunteers who manage the "Happy Valley" section of the Ladybrook/Micker Brook.
Website : www.happyvalleybramhall.co.uk
Happy Valley is an important Local Nature Reserve; as well as the river winding through the valley there are ponds, streams, open grassland, scrub thickets & broadleaved woodland; this mosaic of different habitats is what makes the Valley important for wildlife and makes it a popular local beauty spot.
In the valley Great Reddish Wood forms a significant and locally rare habitat, there is a mixture of mainly oak, ash and cherry with a shrub layer of hazel, elderberry and blackthorn; it clothes the steep Valley sides along the river. Along with nearby Carr Wood, this is the only "ancient woodland" to the south of Stockport ("ancient" means it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600). There is also a significant amount of wet woodland, mainly willow and alder, this was once common in the area but most of it has been drained.
There is always something of interest to see in a walk down the Valley,there are lots of birds to be seen at this time of year including long-tailed tits,woodpeckers,herons & kingfishers.
Check out our website for pictures of Happy Valley & its wildlife.
In order to maintain and enhance this area for wildlife and for visitors we have regular task days on the second Sunday of each month and meet at 10 am by the ponds.
We are always keen to welcome newcomers.
Please come & join us,even if you can only spare an hour - come & get some fresh air & a little healthy exercise.
Sundays Jan to March 2008
We will be carrying out a variety of tasks -clearing scrub & brambles from grassland so that they do not shade out the flowers. Removing sycamore and beech from the woodland as these are introduced trees which can out-compete native plants; we will also thin out ash / hazel & carry out repairs to the river bank.
In Febuary or March we will be planting Spring bulbs.
We would also like to hear from anyone who has records of wildlife in Happy Valley or who would be willing to record wildlife for us. Also from anyone who has any information about the history of the Valley.
For details of all our task days please see our website.
