Conservation & Ecology
One of a range of nestboxes generously donated to the club
selection of bird boxes. These were for a range of species, including Nuthatch and Tawny Owl, and are built from woodstone (a mixture of concrete and wood) and, so, cannot be vandalised by the local grey squirrels or woodpeckers, something that my boxes have fallen victim to. They were placed around the course just in time for National Nest Box Week, a scheme run by the British Trust for Ornithology, whereby people are encouraged to erect nestboxes to help our breeding birds. As already mentioned, interest from our members in the ecological aspects of the course has intensified with many now asking me questions about the course’s wildlife. So much so, that I now provide monthly guided nature walks around the course during summer, highlighting the important habitats and wildlife that may be seen on the course. The walk, aptly dubbed Wainwright’s
Walk by the directors, has generated much interest and the first was booked up (twenty-five places) within twenty-four hours of being advertised.
The first walk, during early May 2012, was a great success, with many members commenting about how they enjoyed it and about how they didn’t know about some of the rich wildlife we have here.
Rough development in out of play areas adds to the character of our golf course
Whilst on the walk, we witnessed Goldcrest (Europe’s smallest bird), along with the first summer visiting migrant birds beginning to arrive, such as Swallow, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler. Much to the amazement of the members present, I also dissected a Tawny Owl pellet, of which a few were scattered on the woodland floor below an owl’s nest. The pellet contained the indigestible remains of the prey the owls feed upon, such as fur and bones of shrews and mice and included the skull of a field mouse. Habitats to be found on our course, and our ecological initiatives, were also discussed to inform our members of what we are trying to achieve here; a sustainable golf course that actively promotes the integration of wildlife habitats into the playing area. The second walk, pencilled in for the end of May, was again quickly booked up and included two people from outside the club that are interested in what we are doing. Members also generously donated more than £100 on these walks which will be used to help finance some of our ecological initiatives. To conclude, I would like to say that
receiving Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year award has given me a much
needed confidence boost to carry on promoting a sustainable course here at Turton. It has been quite a ride, with visits to the various sponsors, prestigious golf clubs, meeting many people in the industry and, to cap it off, a trip to Portugal to view a varied selection of golf courses.
Also, it has helped propel Turton Golf Club to a better level, and I hope it will attract new members who wish to lessen their carbon footprint upon the environment by joining us. I also wish to thank the STRI for continually promoting the environmental awards. A thank you also goes to the sponsors, Greenkeeping, Golf Monthly, Campey Turf Care, County Turf, Everris, Syngenta and Ransomes Jacobsen who’s support makes the awards possible. A big thank you must also go to the
greenkeeping team here at Turton - Chris Westwood, Aaron Gandy and Matt German - for all their efforts over the last few years, and the directors, committee and members who now form the much larger team here at Turton Golf Club. I must also congratulate all the 2012
environmental award winners and everyone who took part this year, in particular, Dan McGrath of North
Members viewing a badger sett on one of Wainwright’s Walks
44 PC APRIL/MAY 2013
We are hoping to attract this Nuthatch to one of our new nestboxes
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