Anyone living in, or near to, Macclesfield will be all too familiar with the horrendous wildfire that engulfed moorland above the town in early May.
Over 100 firefighters from three counties, plus personnel from United Utilities, Peak District National Park, and other landowners fought for seven days to contain and extinguish around 250 hectares of burning moorland habitat. Fortunately, despite the intense heat and choking ash, no lives were lost – except for many victims in the rich native wildlife including hares, stoats, weasels, and voles, plus scores of ground-nesting birds such as curlew, skylark, golden plover, and meadow pipits.
Many species, especially smaller animals such as voles, pipits and skylarks would have found it difficult or impossible to outrun the flames. Meanwhile, larger, and perhaps more mobile creatures, despite losing their broods, could have moved to safer habitats.
Maybe this displacement could account for the higher number of curlews calls recently heard around Tegg’s Nose and Macclesfield Forest. The Forest is, however, a fragile refuge for escaping wildlife as it currently comprises 400ha of parched ground and tinder, and it attracts many more human visitors than the moorland between Macclesfield and Buxton.
If the Forest falls victim to wildfire due to drought and higher temperatures, where could displaced wildlife find safe habitats? The Danes Moss peatlands are an obvious and critically important link in the chain of local sites that could conserve threatened species.
Size, alongside connectivity, is everything in conservation. At about 55ha, Danes Moss North already provides a huge haven for wildlife, and in combination with the neighbouring Nature Reserve and former landfill site, forms a very large and diverse range of habitats. This is one of the many essential reasons why Danes Moss North should be re-wetted and cared for as one of cheshire’s most cherished wildlife sites.
Danes Moss North is one of our most important local defences in the biodiversity and climate crises. Our Vision is to save it from commercial development and create a place where wildlife and people can thrive.
In the meantime, enjoy the countryside and fine weather but please, please, please…
- Don’t take portable BBQs or gas stoves into the countryside and especially moorlands – pack a picnic instead (portable BBQs are banned in many areas of the Peak District)
- Extinguish cigarettes etc. properly before you leave your vehicle.
- Don’t throw cigarette ends out of car windows – ensure they are extinguished and disposed of properly.
- Don’t leave bottles or glass in open areas or woodlands. Sunlight shining through glass can start a fire. Take them home or put them in a waste or recycling bin.
- Take rubbish home or dispose of it responsibly.
- If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately to the Fire Service on 999.
- Don’t attempt to tackle fires yourself – leave the area as soon as possible and make sure the emergency services know the exact location of the fire.
