Ringstone Edge

As many of you will know the Halifax Birdwatchers' Club has a satellite group known as the Calderdale Bird Conservation Group which was set up by members who wished to be involved in local conservation work rather than just the production of an annual report. As a result of the efforts of its members the CBCG has been involved in many local conservation issues including helping to draw up the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP), raptor protection work, assisting with Twite conservation projects, nestbox schemes in Hardcastle Crags etc. One of our main achievements so far has been to lease the north shore of Ringstone Edge from Yorkshire Water and the creation of pools and scrapes with the aim of encouraging species such as LRP to breed. Along with this we have also applied for planning permission to erect a hide on site, this permission has now been granted and we are in final negotiations with YW to begin construction. As a condition of the lease and insurance the group is obliged to control and regulate visitors to the hide and north shore area, therefore it is important to note that these areas are NOT public access, indeed to have it so would cause unnecessary disturbance to the birds. In order to allow keen local birders chance to use the hide and watch the area we have agreed to control access by means of a permit/key arrangement with a proposal to charge £15 which will include a key for the hide and a copy of a baseline report for the Ringstone recording area. The money received from this will go towards covering the cost of the insurance premiums, Further details of how to obtain a permit/key will be posted on here when the hide is complete.

All this could not have been achieved without the efforts of a relatively small number of local birders who have given much time and effort to the Group. Equally we are indebted to Marshalls plc, the Hanson Environment Fund, and the Green Business Network (GBN) whose generous donations of landfill tax credits made it all possible. Anyone who wishes to become involved in our work can contact me on midgleybirder@yahoo.co.uk