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.

Wirral Tree Strategy

The value of trees is being recognised. Please read and comment on the draft Wirral Tree Strategy.

It is available at
https://www.wirral.gov.uk/sites/default/files/all/planning%20and%20building/Wirral%20Tree%20Strategy%202019.pdf

Comments need to be in by 20 December. Everyone can read it and give their feedback to the Council.

‘Trees In A Changing Climate’ conference

‘Trees In A Changing Climate’

Saturday 19th October

from 10 a.m.

Birkenhead Town Hall

£15

A conference for Tree Wardens, Friends of Parks Groups, Tree Officers, Councillors, Council officers and staff, volunteers and workers in Wildlife, Biodiversity and environmental groups.

An opportunity to network and provide commentary on issues relevant to realistic long-term and strategic planning for trees in the North of England. The new Wirral Borough Council collaborative Tree Strategy will be unveiled as an example of work-in hand, linked to Climate Change Strategies.

Book your ticket here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/northern-tree-warden-regional-forum-2019-tickets-69022364751

As the Tree Council are hosting the meeting, there will be a cadre of Tree Wardens, but we are keen to say that the meeting is for everyone who wants a tree strategy for Wirral and is keen to get involved with the Wirral Tree Strategy, and management of trees in your local areas.  So if you can help get the word out as widely as possible, that would be great.

Wirral Council has also made a climate change statement and are looking across the Council to explore how this statement will affect and influence the working of the Council. The Tree Strategy is a Council wide strategy, cutting across all departments and teams.

If anyone who will be attending the event can help out on the day, please contact Helen Ellis (helen.ellis@mac.com) as she is one of the key organisers of the day at Birkenhead Town Hall.