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More and more of the summer migrant bird species are arriving at our countryside sites. Ranger Martin spotted his first Pied Flycatcher of the year, in Teggsnose Wood, earlier this week. These birds travel all the way from West Africa to breed in the UK.
While in the 4 fields, at the top of Tegg's Nose Country Park, the mountain pansies are out along with the Moonwort ferns.
Get the full April wildlife update below, along with Ranger Pete's wildlife sighting tips.
This month's event programme includes: Geology, Bat, Bird, Butterfly and Rambler walks, the May Half Term Holiday Club at Tegg's Nose, more chances to try forest bathing and meditation, an opportunity to help with the heathland management at Tegg's Nose plus another popular Plein Air Painting workshop.
Scroll right to the bottom of the email to see all of May's events and get your tickets booked ASAP so you don't miss out!
What's Out and About in April
Some handy April wildlife sighting suggestions from Ranger Pete.
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Warm evenings encourage bats such as the pipistrelle to emerge from hibernation
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Warblers are in full song from mid month. Listen for willow warblers and blackcaps who have arrived from their wintering grounds in Africa.
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Look out for smooth newts; they are now active in the ponds at many of our countryside sites including Jacksons' Brickworks Local Nature Reserve.
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As the insects are more abundant, swallows and house martins can be seen busy feeding and looking for nesting sites.
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Butterflies such as the speckled wood can be seen on the wing. Look for them in dappled woodland and along country lanes.
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Look out for the spectacular display flight of the lapwing in open countryside. This bird is also known as the Peewit or green plover.
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Bluebells burst into flower and can be seen carpeting the woodland floor
May 2026 Events
Saturday 9 May - Creative Nature Connection, A Forest-Bathing Experience at Tegg’s Nose - May
Join Amanda, from Lets Step In, on a sensory and creative journey exploring different forest-bathing practices and meditations before expressing creatively what you’ve been experiencing in nature on paper and with words using Japanese practice.
This is a peaceful session that gives you time to simply be with nature and yourself. This isn’t about creating masterpieces it’s about taking time to switch off, slow down and enjoy expressing yourself and connecting with what you notice in nature.
Booking and payment in advance is essential. Cost £30.
Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Meeting point: Teggsnose Reservoir car park, Holehouse Lane, Langley, SK11 0NB (SJ945718) what3words: ///invite.stolen.expecting Leaders: Amanda from Lets Step In Information: Email Amanda from Let Step In (Easy walking grade / Healthy walk - Event / Partial accessibility - level or ramped access / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event)
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Thursday, 14 May - Plein Air Painting Workshop: Sky and Clouds
Join us for fun Plein Air painting workshops in 2026 at Tegg's Nose Country Park. In each workshop, experienced professional painters, Christopher Clements and Kieran Ingram, will help you capture a different aspect of landscape painting.
The sky is key to landscape painting, it provides a dramatic backdrop and a colour field for the whole picture. In May’s Workshop we’ll be looking at how to paint the sky and clouds as well as how they effect the far distance in your painting.
We’ll cover:
- types and behaviour of clouds
- aerial perspective and atmosphere
- temperature and mood of the light
You’ll look at types of clouds and their structure, what they’re doing and how atmospheric perspective affects how they recede into the distance. Combine this with the colour field that the day’s light creates and you’ll create great atmosphere and depth in your work.
All the Plein Air workshops we’re running this summer are based on the Tonalist approach which focuses on interpretation of the light & dark tones of the landscape, while simplifying the colours. The approach will help you to make sense of what you see. You’ll be able to organise it into a well-structured painting, evoking the simple beauty of your environment.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned painter, these workshops are perfect for anyone looking to improve their Plein Air painting skills. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get out of the studio and unleash your creativity in the great outdoors.
Booking and payment in advance is essential. Workshop Price £85, reserve your place with a £20 deposit on Eventbrite, the remainder will be invoiced before the course.
Time: 10am to 3.30pm Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733) what3words: ///sliding.deny.nutty Leaders: Artists Chris Clements and Kieran Ingram Information: Email Northern Realist or visit the Northern Realist website (Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Easy walking grade / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)
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Thursday, 14 May - Batty about Bats
Join South Lancashire Bat Group and Bollin Valley Partnership Ranger Naomi on a majestic bat walk as the sun starts to fade and dusk draws in.
This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about bats in their natural environment. You will learn the importance of bats and you may even get to see and hear them. Learn how to identify different species of bat using bat detectors.
Booking and payment in advance is essential. Adults £7.50, children 16 or under go free. Please bring a torch.
Time: 8.45pm to 10.30pm Meeting point: Parish Hall Car Park, The Carrs, Cliff Road, Wilmslow, SK9 4AA (SJ847816) what3words: ///margin.gloves.horn Leader: South Lancashire Bat Group and Bollin Valley Partnership Ranger Naomi Skimming Information: 01625 374790 (Car parking charge / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Easy walking grade / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event / Wildlife walk - Event)
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Wednesday, 20 May - Birds, butterflies and wildflowers of Higher Poynton
A leisurely walk around Jacksons’ Brickworks Local Nature Reserve and the Middlewood Way.
We will listen and look for the area's resident birds as well as early spring migrants including chiffchaff, willow warbler and blackcap.
We will also be on the lookout for spring butterflies including orange tip and brimstone, while enjoying the wildflowers along the way. This is a slow-paced walk of 1.6km (1 mile).
Booking and payment in advance is essential. Adults £7.50, children 16 or under go free.
Time: 9am to 11am Meeting point: Jacksons’ Brickworks Car Park, Pool House Road, Higher Poynton, SK12 1TY (SJ945844) what3words: ///blizzard.leaky.forge Leaders: Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Pete Dowse Information: 01625 383700 (Bring binoculars if you have them / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Easy walking grade / Healthy walk - Event / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Partial accessibility - level or ramped access / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event / Wildlife walk - Event)
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Wednesday, 20 May - Bracken Bashing at Tegg's Nose
A hands-on volunteering opportunity to help Ranger Roger, and our friends from Mersey Rivers Trust, maintain / improve the heathland habitat on the slopes of Tegg's Nose Country Park.
We'll be selectively 'bashing' areas of bracken with wooden stales to stop it from shading out the heather and bilberry.
Booking in advance is essential. Suitable for anyone over the age of 12.
Please note that the work site is on a steep slope which is only accessible by walking from the top of the park. This activity is physically challenging but there will be plenty of opportunities for breaks.
Time: 10am to 3pm Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733) what3words: ///sliding.deny.nutty Leaders: Bollin Valley Partnership Ranger Roger Brereton and Mersey Rivers Trust Information: 01625 374833 (Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Healthy walk - Event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments Strenuous walking grade / Wildlife walk - Event)
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Saturday 23 May - Ramble with the Rangers – Tegg’s Nose Country Park
Join East Cheshire Ramblers and the Rangers for a circular guided walk of approximately 9.8km (6 miles), from Tegg’s Nose Country Park, while looking out for signs of wildlife and enjoying the landscape.
There will be two refreshment stops, including lunch, during the walk.
Booking and payment in advance is essential. Adults £7.50, children 16 or under go free. Suitable for anyone over the age of 12.
Time: 10am to 2pm Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733) what3words: ///sliding.deny.nutty Leaders: East Cheshire Ramblers and Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Martin James Information: 01625 374833 (Car parking charge / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Easy walking grade / Full accessibility - level or ramped access. Accessible toilets available / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)
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Sunday 24 May - Tegg’s Nose Rocks – Geology Walk
Join Geologist Kate Riddington and Tegg’s Nose Country Park Ranger Martin James to explore the geological history of the park and wider Cheshire Plain.
We will walk the ‘Tegg’s Nose Rocks!’ trail and help you to spot evidence of recent Ice Ages or ripples from a river flowing some 325 million years ago! It's easy walking, with lots of interesting geology to explore.
Suitable for accompanied children over the age of 7. Booking and payment in advance is essential. Adults £7.50, children 16 or under, go free.
Time: 10am to 12.30pm Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733) what3words: ///sliding.deny.nutty Leader: Geologist Kate Riddington and Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Martin James Information: 01625 374833 (Car parking charge / Easy walking grade / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)
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Monday 25 to Friday 29 May - RIPS CIC May Half Term Holiday Kids Activity Club
A great way to experience some varied exciting activities in the countryside with local experts Rudyard Inclusive Paddle Sports CIC! Based at Tegg’s Nose Country Park and Rudyard Lake, each day focuses on different activities, and it will give you a taste of adventure! Suitable for anyone between the ages of 8 and 16. Booking and payment in advance is essential.
Day 1 – Monday 25 May – Archery and Orienteering at Tegg's Nose Day 2 – Tuesday 26 May – Paddle Sports at Rudyard Lake Day 3 (Option 1) – Wednesday 27 May – Climb and Abseil at Tegg's Nose Day 3 (Option 2) - Wednesday 27 May - Paddle Sports at Rudyard Lake Day 4 - Thursday 28 May - Paddle Sports at Rudyard Lake Day 5 - Friday 29 May - Bushcraft and Tree Climbing at Tegg's Nose
Please note, you can only choose 1 option on Day 3.
Cost £44.95 per day.
Activities run from 9.00am to 4.00pm but to allow for maximum flexibility, you can drop off your child from 8.30am and collect at any time between 4.00pm and 4.30pm.
Please bring a packed lunch and drinks with you each day.
Days 1, 3 (Option 1) and 5 Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733) Days 2, 3 (Option 2) & 4 Meeting point: Rudyard Lake, Rudyard, ST13 8RN (SJ950580)
Time: 8.30am to 4.30pm Leader: Rudyard Inclusive Paddle Sports (RIPS CIC) Information: Email RIPS CIC (Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Healthy walk - Event / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event)
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Thursday, 28 May - Evening Meditation, Deep Rest and Tea in Nature at Tegg’s Nose - May
Join Amanda, from Lets Step In, for a soothing evening in nature with beautiful views at Tegg's Nose Country Park for meditation and deep rest & tea .
Unwind as the day slows and nature prepares for night with a series of guided nature-based meditation practices ending with deep rest and tea in community. Press the pause button, come into the present moment, connect with nature, and yourself to soothe your nervous system, reset your mind, and nourish your whole self. Setting you up for a restful night’s sleep.
Suitable for beginners and beyond.
For those nervous about meditating, clients regularly share how much more supportive they find it meditating with nature as you have stimuli, through your senses, for your mind to focus on. If you’re new to meditation come along and give it a go, I'll be guiding you throughout.
We’ll gather in the car park and walk together to where we’ll spend the session (less than 5 minute walk). I’ll be sprinkling in learnings about meditation between the practices and helping you with your practice throughout ~ always encouraging you to dose yourself in compassion and no-judgement. Bring a cup to enjoy tea at the end with conversation or continue to sit and take in the views ~ this is space for you to use as you need.
Booking and payment in advance is essential. Cost £15.
Time: 6.45pm to 8.15pm Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733) what3words: ///palettes.racing.chop Leaders: Amanda from Lets Step In Information: Email Amanda from Let Step In (Car parking charge / Easy walking grade / Healthy walk / Event / Partial accessibility - level or ramped access / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event)
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