Christmas Crafts and Carols

Port Sunlight River Park
Saturday 5th December
12 - 3 p.m.

Christmas craft activities for all ages, festive dog walk and carol singing.
Refreshments available.

Cleaver Heath Mystery

On the first Sunday of every month there is a workday at Cleaver Heath, Heswall. Volunteers remove birch and bracken to optimise conditions for heather growth. This month, they were puzzled by the sight of small red spheres on a heather plant. Has anybody got any idea what they could be?

The next task day is on Sunday 6th December. If you want to help, see the details on the events page of our website.

Also spotted... a grasshopper taking a rest on one of the volunteers' rucksacks!

News From The Hedgerow

Paul Loughnane and Colin Spencer

Wirral Countryside Volunteers held their ninth free hedge laying training day, opposite Barnstondale Camp, attracting 25 participants. They laid 60 metres of hedge.

The principle is easy... but the practice is more complicated than it first seems. Skill is required to create a well-constructed and flowing hedge, cutting the stems thin enough so the hedge regrows from the base but not so thinly cut that the stem dies. This event was supported by the Wirral Society, which is also the local branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Paul Loughnane

Snug Bug Hotel

If you are looking for something to do with the kids or grandkids this autumn, take a look at this...

We helped St John's Junior School in Bebington build a Bug Hotel last week. The children of year 4 created a very desirable residence.

For more information to help you make your own version, see this website:

www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk/thingstodo/inaweekend/bug-mansion.aspx

Proposed Hoylake Golf Resort

Wirral Council is holding two drop-in events to give local people an opportunity to see the latest proposals for Hoylake Golf Resort.

Melrose Hall, Hoylake
11 - 13 November 2015
Between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Westbourne Hall, West Kirby
18 - 20 November 2015
Between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

You can view the proposals on the Council website. Although the sessions are not part of the formal planning consultation process, which will take place next year, they will provide an opportunity to tell the Council what you think and to feed your comments and suggestions into the project design team.

There are various wildlife issues to consider including the use of the land by waders as a high tide roost, the presence of water voles in some ditches and foraging over the fields by bats and barn owls. Do go and make yourself aware of the proposals.

Wirral Wader Festival - 14 & 15 November

The Wirral Wader festival will be the UK's first dedicated wader festival and will celebrate the large numbers of wading birds that spend the winter around the Wirral coast.

Click on the images above to see a full list of events.

River Park Autumn Task Day - 14 November

Port Sunlight River Park
Autumn Task Day for new adult volunteers

Saturday 14th November
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Meet at the site office, Mersey View picnic area, CH62 4LN.

Contact the Ranger by email or phone 07587 550050 to book a place.

Safety boots must be worn but will be provided if booked.

Bring lunch if you wish to stay all day.