30. May 2026

Kingfisher Trail

For the past 10 years Pippy-dog and I have walked Bottom O'Th Moor most weeks. The abundance of wildlife on this walk is astounding, no matter what season it is. The path follows Bradshaw Brook which links Leverhulme Park, Seven Acres, Bottom O'th Moor, Upper Bradshaw and the Jumbles. Known as the Kingfisher trail and forming part of the Tonge Trail it is a popular walk for those with four legged friends. We know this route very well and love watching it change over the seasons and indeed over the years.

A large number of our native trees are here, including oak, ash, sycamore and beech. Large hedgerows of hawthorn, blackthorn, ivy and holly are also plentiful. Deer can often be seen, usually spooked from cover by an over enthusiastic dog. Insect life is very diverse- butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, many species of bee and beetle, tiny flies and creepy crawlies that you did not even know existed. This abundance brings in the birds, blackbirds, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, long-tailed tits, chaffinches, chiff chaffs, bullfinches, robins, sparrows and even ring-necked parakeets, which add a tropical vibe with their calls, to name just a few. These little birds of course bring in the larger predators and Buzzards are often seen and heard circling over head. Sparrowhawks also patrol these hedges and trees. Kestrels make the most of the abundant rodent population and don't seem to mind you stopping to watch. The micro movements made by them to keep still in the air is a skill no human pilot could ever match.

Along the brook pond skaters line the banks, venturing out at their peril as the fish pop up to grab one unsuspectingly. Mallards propel themselves with grace up and down, the males handsome with their irridesscent green heads. Grey wagtail and dipper are also common along the brook- a reassuring sign that the river is clean enough to support insect life on which they feed.

Today was a very special day on this walk, even more than usual. As we neared the bridge that takes you past the timber yard I heard a splash. Stopping to see what it was and rewarded with just ripples- most likely from a fish having taken a fly; then, there it was, that electrifying flash of Kingfisher blue! It always makes my tummy flip and my heart miss a beat. A brief, but no less exhilarating moment! One of our more elusive birds I did not see one in the feathers, so to speak, until I was in my 30's on a canal boat holiday. Up until then I had made do with an Airfix model my Dad brought home from the model shop. Today, however I was blessed with not one but two sightings. One flew past us again further up the brook. Pippy-dog was less impressed of course- too busy snorting down mouse holes and sniffing each leaf that protruded over the path!