No Mow May

Were you one of the people who ditched your mower in May?

What plants did you find in your lawn? Were you surprised?

I was thrilled to find goldfinches and greenfinches feeding on the seeds from dandelions.

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Wirral Borough Council has been taking part in the No Mow May campaign and stopped mowing in general grass areas in parks. The grass areas in parks will be left from the end of April until the middle of June. Pathways will be cut through the large grass areas to provide walking routes, and borders will be cut surrounding existing pathways. Multiple signs have been erected where possible at each site to explain the benefits of leaving areas to grow to provide opportunities to encourage wildflowers to grow thus attracting bees, butterflies, moths and other insects. Some verges are also designated for not cutting until flowers have set seed.

'No Grass Cutting to Protect Those Buzzing' sign

At the end of May, on the Bank Holiday Weekend, join in with Plantlife’s nationwide “Every Flower Counts” survey to discover how many bees the UK’s lawns can feed. Not only will you receive your very own “nectar score” (which will tell you have many bees your lawn can feed), you’ll help them learn more about the health of the nations’ wild flowers.

https://www.plantlife.org.uk/everyflowercounts/

And if you’re really keen and want to rewild all summer, try #LetItBloomJune and #KneeHighJuly

We are always pleased to see photographs of your lawn or your nearby verge.

Please send them to info@wirralwildlife.org.uk

Briefing Pages

 

Aerial photo of coast at Red Rocks, Hoylake.
Photo: Rachael Webster, Flickr

There is a new section on our website called Briefing Pages:

https://www.wirralwildlife.org.uk/briefing-pages

As we are frequently asked for our position on local issues affecting wildlife we have made available some of our recent responses, as well as supporting documents. Currently you can read about Hoylake Beach, Natural England Advice to Wirral Borough Council Regarding Beach Management, Wildflower Verges and Long Grass and Lyme Disease. New articles will be added in response to developing issues.

Echo Environment Awards 2021

Echo Environment Awards 2021

On April 28th the Echo Environment Awards evening was hosted by Roger Johnson from the BBC.

Several Wirral organisations or businesses were shortlisted and many congratulations to The Hoylake Pantry who won ‘New Green Business off the Year’ Award.

Echo Award Finalist Certificate

Our own Wirral Wildlife team member Hilary Ash was one of three finalists as Environmental Champion, nominated because of her involvement with New Ferry Butterfly Park and Wirral Wildlife. We were pleased to nominate her because Hilary is one of those superheroic volunteers who covers so many aspects from literally the ‘grass roots’ to the world of really understanding environmental strategies. Involved in an extensive range of projects and activities, Hilary leads the way by example, enabling people to take action for the environment on their doorstep. She plays a fundamental role in the work of both Wirral Wildlife and New Ferry Butterfly Park.

Hilary Ash

We offer many congratulations to the winner, Nick Drew who encouraged the development of a Green Map for the Liverpool City Region, getting the concept adopted in the 2018 Cool Wirral Strategy. The intention of the Mersey Green Map is to connect people to local environmental success stories, natural assets and sustainable businesses that they may not be aware of. Nick recognised the need for an evidence-based and independent look at Liverpool City Region’s environment and was instrumental in the Heseltine Institute Report being produced for LCR Year of Environment. Worried by the pace of progress being made to make Liverpool a zero-carbon city, Nick decided to take action personally. After going on a course to become officially ‘Carbon Literate’ in January 2020, Nick then educated his fellow Wirral Environmental Network trustees on the importance of Carbon Literacy, resulting in the local environmental education charity becoming the first Carbon Literate organisation in the Liverpool City Region and showcasing the path for other local organisations to follow. A worthy winner.

Nick Drew, Environmental Champion Award Winner