What’s On In Cheshire This Winter

Wild Question Time

Friday 15th November 2019, 5:30pm

Parkgate Road, University of Chester

Are you aged between 16-25 and want to speak up for the environment?! Come along to our Wild Question Time!

On Friday 15th November, Cheshire Wildlife Trust are hosting a Wild Question Time with the University of Chester. This is for anyone aged 16-25 who wants to be part of the environmental debate. Our panel will include councillors, parliamentary candidates and sitting MPs from parties across the political spectrum. This is your chance to ask your political leaders specific questions about our natural world and hear what they are going to do to put nature into recovery.

Cost: Free, however donations to the charity are always welcome

Booking essential

Annual General Meeting, followed by Eric Thurston Memorial Science Forum

Saturday 16th November 2019, 10:00am - 3:00pm

Ness Botanic Gardens, Ness

Are you a member of Cheshire Wildlife Trust? Would you like to hear about our achievements this year, plans for the year going forward and to have your say on how we are governed? Well join us for our AGM within the beautiful surroundings of Ness Botanic Gardens.

This year's AGM will be followed by our Eric Thurston Memorial Science Forum, where you can hear from the researchers we're working with about their findings of the local state of nature in the North West.

Cost: Free without lunch or £8 with lunch included

Booking essential

Searching for rare mossland spiders by Richard Gallon

Wednesday 20th November 2019, 8:00pm - 10:00pm

Nantwich Methodist Church, Nantwich

Join South Group local group for their monthly winter talk.

Cost: £3 on the door

No booking required

The birds and insects of Gowy Meadows

Friday 6th December 2019, 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Holly Bank House, Thornton-le-Moors

The wildlife of Gowy Meadows Nature Reserve changes dramatically throughout the seasons, from wintering waders and water birds, to breeding warblers and a diverse insect life. Join naturalist and site surveyor Steve Holmes as he looks through some highlights from every month of the year. Whether you're planning a trip to Gowy Meadows or wonder what you've missed, this is essential listening to really get the most from the reserve.

Cost: £5 per adult, £4 per adult for members

Booking essential

Family events this November and December

Family Forest School

Family Forest School is an event for all the family. Activities may include den building, fire lighting, exploring the woodlands wildlife, environmental art, games and free play.

(Not suitable for children aged under four years old - take a look at our Nature Tots sessions below.)

Family Forest School at Moore Nature Reserve, Warrington

Saturday 9th November 2019, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Family Forest School at Spud Wood, Lymm

Sunday 17th November 2019, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Cost: Free thanks to players of the People's Postcode Lottery

Booking essential for both sessions.

Nature Tots

Nature Tots is our toddler group aimed at encouraging pre-school children, aged 2-4, to gain a love for nature and wildlife. Join us for lots of different activities; hunt for mini-beasts, play games, search for twigs, leaves, seeds and make natural crafts to take home, listen to stories and have lots of fun exploring.

Nature Tots at Spud Wood, Warrington

Wednesdays 13th, 20th and 27th November and 4th and 11th December, 10:00am - 11:30am

Cost: Free thanks to players of the People's Postcode Lottery

Booking essential each week

Nature Tots at Moore Nature Reserve, Warrington

Thursdays 14th, 21st and 28th November and 5th and 12th December, 10:00am - 11:30am

Cost: Free thanks to players of the People's Postcode Lottery

Booking essential each week

Nature Tots at Marbury Park, Northwich

Six weekly sessions, starts Tuesday 5th November, 10:00am - 11:30am

Cost: £30 per child or £24 for members, for all six sessions

Booking essential

Volunteer Conference

11th August

A thank you event for Cheshire Wildlife Trust volunteers. A nice mixture of talks, workshops and networking opportunities.

The volunteer forum will be at Bickley Hall Farm.

The day will involve a catch up with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust staff and an opportunity to hear about up and coming projects. It will also provide you with some time to take part in an interactive activity, whether that be a walk around the reserve, getting stuck into some gardening or creating a craft item.

To register your interest for any of these, please email volunteering@cheshirewt.org.uk

The Hidden Power of Moss

Sphagnum moss. Photo: External Affairs, Wikimedia Commons.

Those who came to our talk on Friday about the management of upland moors would be interested in a programme aired on Sunday 13th January on Radio 4.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000202x

Sphagnum moss is a vital ecosystem component of peat moorlands. As it grows it sequesters carbon and after about 10 to 15 years of growth the lower parts start to form peat. However peat moors are degrading due to a combination of peat removal for horticulture, tree planting, pollution, fires and draining to enable sheep grazing. 90% of peatlands are damaged and therefore not sequestering carbon. In the UK peatland makes up 10% of total land area compared to a world average of 3% so it is important to try and reverse their decline.

Neil and Barbara Wright of Beadmoss on the Nottingham-Leicester border, are now commercially growing sphagnum moss that can be replanted in peatland. It took them 15 years of research to perfect their micropropagation techniques and turn it into large scale production. They grow 18 species of sphagnum and last spring they produced 800,000 plug plants. In the Peak district these are planted at a density of 1250 plants per hectare and one man can plant 1000 plugs in a day. Replanting took place on Kinderscout in 2016 with the hope that this technique will help to reach carbon mitigation targets and that water retention by the sphagnum will help with fire prevention.

This is an interesting approach to an ecosystem problem.

Thanks to Elaine Mills to alerting us to this.

Burton Mere talk at Burton Manor

Thursday 13th June

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands: Home for Birds and Wildlife

7.15 p.m.

Burton Manor Gardens

An illustrated talk by Dan Trotman

The early years... development during the first five years of the wetlands, giving nature a home, the plans for the future and a general overview of the rich wildlife and birds which have made it their home.

£8 (£6.50 for Friends of Burton Mere Gardens)

To book tickets phone 0151 345 1107 or email

‘The Consequences of Climate Change at the Coast’

Transition Town West Kirby have organised a talk. 

3rd March at 7pm

‘The Consequences of Climate Change at the Coast’

A talk by Dr Jenny Brown, National Oceanography Centre.

Learning from past and present storms and using projections of climate change and rising sea levels to assess future risks  and inform future sea defence needs.

West Kirby Arts Centre, 29 Brookfield Gardens. Car parking at West Kirby Concourse (5 minutes walk).

Admission free but donations to TTWK welcome.

Change of Speaker at Tonight's Talk

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have a change of speaker to the one advertised for tonight's talk at Heswall Hall.

Here are the new details for the talk:

Friday 10th February

‘A Traditional Wirral Orchard Under Threat: Networks, Roots and the Human Ecosystems’

Room B, Heswall Hall, Heswall

7.30 p.m.

Dave Ellwand of Wirral Tree Wardens will give a talk about the threat to Brimstage Hall Orchard.

Admission £3. All welcome.

Thanks to Dave for filling in at the last minute.

Transition Town Burbo Bank Talk

Transition Town West Kirby are holding a talk about the Burbo Bank wind farm extension.

Thursday February 2nd

Burbo Bank Extension - The Journey

West Kirby Arts Centre
29 Brookfield Gardens, West Kirby

Admission free, donations welcome

A talk by Lee Rollason of Dong Energy

The presentation will highlight the evolving offshore wind sector, with Burbo Bank as a case study.

Cheshire Style Hedge Laying Debut at the National

Evenly pleached Cheshire hedge at Poulton Hall, Bebington.

Photo: Paul Loughnane

Who can think of the lowland Cheshire landscape without thinking of a network of oak lined hedgerows, dairy cattle and marl pits? Cheshire hedgerows are slowly declining, not so much being removed but mainly by neglect and repeated flailing which overcomes the hardiest of hedgerow plants, hawthorn. Hedges can be restored whilst keeping their boundary function by laying them, cutting the upright stems and bending them over to form an impenetrable living fence. 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 that the stem dies is the trick. If you are interested in hedge laying there is a great opportunity to see the best cutters in country performing the art of hedge laying locally.

On Saturday 22nd October the National Hedge Laying Championship is coming to Cheshire for the first time ever and to stimulate local interest they have a debut Cheshire class of hedge laying. As well as Cheshire style hedge laying there will be nine other regional styles of hedge laid, all cut from the same hedgerow.

The regional hedge laying styles reflect the livestock to be retained, the terrain and climate of these regions. Cheshire laid hedges are one of the thinnest styles being used for turning dairy cattle. Laying hedges looks radical but restores the hedgerow from the base. It is a very modest fee to see such a national event, £5 a car; an incentive to car share. There will be a countryside show too. So share a car load and bring along your friends and make this Cheshire event a great success.

A week before the national event, on Friday 14th there will be an illustrated talk about hedge laying and the national competition at Heswall Hall at approximately 8pm, following the Wirral Wildlife Group AGM. So, if you would like to know what a hedge laying judge may be looking at come along and find out. It will make more of your day at the national championships.

Paul Loughnane

January 2016 events

Happy New Year!

Here are some events to look forward to this month.

Burbo Bank Windfarm as seen from New Brighton.
Photo: Darren Hillman, Flickr.
Ken Neal will give a talk on the subject of
offshore windfarms on 8th January

Sunday 3rd January 2016

Removal of Variegated Yellow Archangel

Thornton Wood, Clatterbridge

9.30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Variegated yellow archangel, a garden escape, will be removed from the southern tip of the wood to prevent its spread. This plant out competes native ancient woodland ground flora.

Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended. Bring a packed lunch.

Free of charge.

Contact: Paul Loughnane by email or telephone 0151 645 8937.

Sunday 3rd January

Cleaver Heath Workday

Meet Oldfield Road, Heswall at 10 a.m.

Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended, and volunteers should bring a packed lunch if staying for the whole session, which ends between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Further details from Mike Maher, email or telephone 0151 342 4249.

Map of location.

Friday 8th January

‘The Ecology of Offshore Wind Farms’

Room B, Heswall Hall, Heswall

7.30 p.m.

A talk by Ken Neal.

Admission £3. All welcome.

Sunday 10th January

Scything in Charlie’s Field and Keeping The Hedgerows In Trim

New Ferry Butterfly Park

9.30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This will be building on last year’s project when the area was cleared to bring the field under management for the benefit of butterflies. Keeping the hedgerows in trim and gaining a few hedge stakes from the hedgerow’s hazel stools. Emptying the upper compost bin so that it can be divided for more efficient composting.

Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended. Bring a packed lunch.

Free of charge.

Contact: Paul Loughnane by email or telephone 0151 645 8937.

Public transport available - the Park is next to Bebington Train Station. Map of location.

Bat Walk and Talk at Burton - 27th September

Daubenton's bat. Photo: Gilles San Marton, Wikipedia

Sunday 27th September 

Chester Bat Group

An informal Walk and Talk led by Jed Ryan

Burton Manor Gardens

Meeting at 7.45 p.m. outside the cafe

Bat take-off approximately 8.15 p.m.

A chance to see Bats in their natural habitat and try out some bat detection equipment.

Suitable for families.

Please bring a torch with you.

No charge though a donation to help with the up keep of Burton Manor Gardens would be appreciated.

From Sloths to Slaidburn

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth. Photo: Leyo, Wikimedia

Friday 11th September

‘From Sloths to Slaidburn: Rainforests Around The World’

Room B, Heswall Hall, Heswall

7.30 p.m.

Botanists Barbara and Eric Greenwood will talk about their fascination with rainforests.

Admission £3. All welcome.

April events

Mahé in the Seychelles, home of the jellyfish tree -
the topic of our talk on 10th April

Here are the details of our April events.

Friday 10th April
‘In Search of the Jellyfish Tree: A Conservationist in The Seychelles’
Room B, Heswall Hall, Heswall.
7.30 p.m.
An illustrated talk by Martin Varley, Director of Conservation at Cheshire Wildlife Trust. 
Admission £3. All welcome.

Sunday 12th April
Preparation for Open Day in May
New Ferry Butterfly Park
9.30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
This will involve sorting out the mobile allotment and the raised bed, tidying up the herb garden, clearing the road, taking a look at the park with fresh pair of eyes - a good job for a new volunteer - and finding anything else that needs doing ready for summer opening.
Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended. Bring a packed lunch.
Public transport available - the Park is next to Bebington Train Station. Map of location.
Contact: Paul Loughnane by email or telephone 0151 645 8937.

Saturday 25th April
A Walk in the Wood Looking at Spring Flowers
Foxes and Thornton Wood, Clatterbridge
2 p.m.
A field trip around Tom’s Paddock, Foxes and Thornton Woods looking at the flora in these ancient woodlands. Thornton Wood has steep slopes in parts and no paths as such. Some car parking is available by the bridge over the M53 motorway at Thornton Common Road near the wood entrance.
Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended.
Contact: Paul Loughnane by email or telephone 0151 645 8937.
 

February 2015 Events

Our events in February include two work days on our reserves, a talk about woodlands and an afternoon combining beach cleaning with art creation...

Thurstaston Beach. Photo: Rept0n1x, Wikimedia Commons

Sunday 1st February

Cleaver Heath Workday

Meet Oldfield Road, Heswall at 10 a.m.

Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended, and volunteers should bring a packed lunch if staying for the whole session, which ends between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Further details from Mike Maher, email or telephone 0151 342 4249

Map of location

Sunday 8th February

Keeping The Hedgerows In Trim and Tree Nursery Establishment

New Ferry Butterfly Park

9.30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Trimming hedgerows to maintain the diversity of shrubs and collect some hedge stakes in the process to sustain hedge laying projects. Plus the establishment of a tree nursery.

Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended. Bring a packed lunch.

Public transport available - the Park is next to Bebington Train Station

Map of location

Contact: Paul Loughnane by email or telephone 0151 645 8937.

Friday 13th February

‘New Woods, New Landscapes’

Room B, Heswall Hall, Heswall.

7.30 p.m.

Duncan McNaughton, from the Forestry Commission, will explain how new woodlands have been created on previously used land such as Bidston Moss.

Admission £3. All welcome.

Saturday 14th February

Big Arty Beach Clean With Shore Cottage Studio

Thurstaston Beach

1 - 4 p.m.

Did you know litter is one of the biggest threats to our ocean-going wildlife? Join us for a family-friendly beach clean with the Wirral Rangers and the Wildlife Trusts’ youth arm ‘Wildlife Watch’, where we use what we find to make giant beach art with expert artists from the award-winning Wirral-based Shore Cottage studio. Great fun for all ages.

Free of charge.

Contact: Emily Cunningham by telephone 01948 820728 or email

Happy New Year

A Happy New Year from Wirral Wildlife! If your New Year's Resolution involves learning more about wildlife, or helping at one of our reserves, you may be interested in our January events.

Saturday 3rd January

Post Christmas Work-out: Removing Ground and Canopy Invaders

Thornton Wood, Clatterbridge

9.30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Removal of ground flora invasives such as variegated yellow archangel, pink purslane, three cornered leek, to protect the ancient wood ground flora, and removal of potential canopy invaders such beech and sycamore saplings to benefit oak and alder regeneration.

Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended. Bring a packed lunch.

Contact: Paul Loughnane by email or telephone 0151 645 8937.

Sunday 4th January

Cleaver Heath Workday

Meet Oldfield Road, Heswall at 10 a.m.

Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended, and volunteers should bring a packed lunch if staying for the whole session, which ends between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Further details from Mike Maher, email or telephone 0151 342 4249.

Map of location.

Friday 9th January

‘Sharks, Snakes, Spiders and Science’

Room B, Heswall Hall, Heswall.

7.30 p.m.

A talk by Dr Ken Neal, a professional marine biologist working for an environment consultancy company in the Wirral. Dr Neal, who has recently had a six week research holiday in Australia, will be talking about his marine research projects on sharks and the broader marine environment. 

Admission £3. All welcome.

Sunday 11th January

Keeping The Hedgerows In Trim

New Ferry Butterfly Park

9.30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Trimming hedgerows to maintain the diversity of shrubs and collect some hedge stakes in the process to sustain hedge laying projects.

Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended. Bring a packed lunch.

Public transport available - the Park is next to Bebington Train Station.

Map of location.

Contact: Paul Loughnane by email or telephone 0151 645 8937.