Monday 17 September 2018

Recording at Thurstaston Common


Quadrats at Thurstaston

Our recording team have been out doing the annual recording of 12 fixed quadrats on Thurstaston Common. This is a long-running programme of monitoring the heathland for the National Trust, started by Andrew Brockbank over 20 years ago.

So that is why Hilary, Tay and Mathilde are deep in heather and western gorse - photographed by the fourth member of this year's team, June.

Finding the pegs which mark each quadrat is half the job, especially when the heather is tall like this. A combination of GPS, measurements from landmarks, a metal detector - and good old-fashioned searching.

The data help assess how well the management programme is going, comparing quadrats inside and outside the grazing paddocks. So if you happen to see a metal bar sticking a few inches up from the ground when walking on Thurstaston Common - please leave it alone, it marks a permanent quadrat.

Monday 3 September 2018

Open Day on the Heswall Dales













Saturday 15th September
11.00 am - 3.00 pm

Come and discover the ‘Treasures of the Dales’ - enjoy woodland walks, rare lowland heath and stunning views over the Dee estuary, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.

The Friends of Heswall Dales and the Ranger will be on hand to point out some of the interesting features of this beautiful local nature reserve.

Walking maps and information will be available from outside the Ranger’s Cottage, off Oldfield Road.

Go around our self-guided walk looking out for the ‘Treasures’ while learning a bit about the natural history of this jewel of Wirral as you go.

For more information check the Friends’ website: