New Year – New Opportunities – Taking Action for Wildlife

Members of Wirral Wildlife want to create a Wirral richer in wildlife by managing our reserves to increase biodiversity and encouraging people to join us.

If you are interested in taking action for wildlife alongside us, how can you get involved?

Do you like to be outdoors and use skills you already have – or learn new ones?

We look after 3 local nature reserves and practical work is carried out by honorary wardens and a team of volunteers. Once a month volunteers do practical work at Cleaver Heath and New Ferry Butterfly Park, with occasional workdays at Thornton Wood. Examples of tasks include removing invasive birch at Cleaver Heath so heather has a chance to spread, coppicing of hazel in Thornton Wood and removal of invasive species like Himalayan balsam. You could learn how to scythe or lay a hedge at New Ferry Butterfly Park.

Scything fun at New Ferry Butterfly Park!

A workday at Cleaver Heath

Do you have knowledge to identify plants, fungi, invertebrates, birds or mammals?

A team of recorders do annual surveys of local wildlife sites so there is a permanent record of the wildlife there and any changes. If you aren’t an expert you can learn as you go.

Surveying at Thurstaston Common

Are you interested or concerned about building developments in Wirral?

We look at planning applications to check if they may have an impact on wildlife and advise the council accordingly.

Are you interested in finding out more about local nature?

We have a programme of talks and guided walks open to the public. Monthly talks are held from September to April at Thornton Hough WI Hall and feature a wide range of speakers. Guided walks usually include a spring flower walk, a walk in Thornton Wood and an autumn fungi walk. Each autumn we hold an Apple Afternoon at New Ferry Butterfly Park where visitors can taste locally grown apples and help to make juice using our traditional wooden press.

Bluebells in Thornton Wood

Do you like enthusing children?

We work with schools by giving guided tours of New Ferry Butterfly Park, going into schools to give talks or attending school nature events.

Show children how to build a bug hotel

Do you like meeting people or fundraising?

We attend events like Cool Heswall and Ness Nature Day and have an Open Garden afternoon at Poulton Hall. We have volunteer wardens at New Ferry Butterfly Park on Sundays from May to September.

The Wirral Wildlife stall at Ness Gardens Nature Day

Are you a local ‘Friends’ group? Do you want some wildlife advice?

We have members with experience who could help with surveys or ideas.

Do your skills lie in organising or communication?

Would you like to organise events or write newsletters or social media?


Our dedicated Wirral Wildlife volunteers do all these things and more. We are a busy, inclusive group and welcome anyone who wants to make Wirral richer in wildlife.

Send an email to info@wirralwildlife.org.uk or come to one of our talks (see the Events page on our website) and speak to one of us.

No prior experience necessary – just a desire to be involved. You would be made very welcome if you would like to join us.