Nesting Moorhens Delight Visitors to Popular Park in Trafford

Improvement work to natural habitats in Davyhulme Park has led to treasured ducks flocking to nest and breed.

Friends of Davyhulme Park volunteers have been delighted to see moorhens and mallards moving into the historic 1930s ponds at the much-loved, Council-owned green lung in Davyhulme, Trafford.

The presence of the birds is a clear indicator that the environmental conditions have improved and follows years of careful planning and preparation to tempt their arrival.

Guy Taylor of the Friends said: “We felt great when we saw nests for the first time. Last year there was one mallard nest and two moorhen nests with several ducklings and chicks, which was more than ever before. This year we are hoping they will be back, perhaps with some new feathered friends joining them.

“We look after the ducks by feeding them from the side of the pond. They tend to recognise the sound of the rustling paper bags we keep our swan and duck pellets in, and come swimming over. The mallards and moorhens create a balanced ecosystem and are natural pest controllers.”

Guy, whose role with the Friends includes taking cubs and scouts on annual nature walks in the park, continued: “They also seem to have accepted that they are becoming something of an attraction with visitors coming to the park, especially to see and feed them.”

The park is managed by the One Trafford Partnership, and has independently-assessed Green Flag status, meaning it is clean and well looked-after.

Friends of Davyhulme Park have been working in the park for a decade. Over the last few years they have tackled algae in the ponds and have regularly cleared away branches and debris from the water.

They have collaborated with The Conservation Volunteers to cut back and thin out vegetation, using reed and grasses to create islands that offer ideal places for nests and breeding. When water levels have dropped, One Trafford has brought water tankers to top up.

The ponds are also home to a thriving population of roach, rudd and carp, and in summer, dragonflies and damselflies can be skipping over the surface.

The Friends ask visitors not to give bread to the ducks, opting instead for feed from the Cof Cof Coffee van at the park, or alternatively peas, half grapes, rice or oats.

Dog owners are asked to keep their pets on a lead around the ponds. The Friends have recently put up signs outlining these polite requests.

Cllr Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Environmental and Traded Services, said: “We’re delighted that the Friends’ work with support from One Trafford and The Conservation Volunteers to attract nesting ducks has paid off. Long may the mallards and moorhens continue to consider Davyhulme Park their home.

“The Council and partners work hard on a range of initiatives to encourage biodiversity and boost natural habitats so we are particularly pleased – along with the wider community - to see this success.”