A Lovely Day Was Had By All

On Sunday August 11th a new interactive artwork, created by Pam Sullivan, was unveiled at New Ferry Butterfly Park by local councillor Steve Niblock. It was an instant hit with adults and children alike.

The sunny afternoon enabled over 170 visitors to enjoy the sight of 11 species of butterfly and also enjoy pond dipping, a barbecue and the cake stall. Ed managed to display the moths he had trapped the night before, the new Domino Trail was a success and the Fruit Picking and Foraging Workshop was popular.

Thanks to everyone who helped.

New(t) Artwork

On Sunday 11th August New Ferry Butterfly Park will be unveiling a new interactive artwork for children by artist Pam Sullivan at 1.45 p.m.

The artwork consists of 'guess how many newt larvae in the pond' and various 'lift the flap' games, as well as an actual insect habitat. We hope local children will have lots of fun identifying all the creatures on the work.

This will be followed at 2 p.m. by a Fruit Picking Workshop and we will have a Foraging Walk showing what edible plants we have on site. 

It’s also our annual volunteers BBQ on the day so we hope to share and eat some of the plants with our burgers and hotdogs.

The Open Day is free and will include games, the BBQ, a cake sale and a raffle. All are welcome to come along, from 12 - 4 p.m.

The photo shows a sneak preview of the newts - only a very small part of the overall artwork by Pam. We hope you can make it along on the day.

More events in August

Common blue butterfly on bramble at the Butterfly Park. Photo: NFBP

Sunday 11th August

Fruit Picking Workshop and Fundraising Day

New Ferry Butterfly Park

2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Come and see what grows at the park and collect some fruit and other edibles. We will also be having a raffle and cake stall (any donations for these will be very welcome).

Family friendly but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended.

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

For more information contact Carol Ramsay by email.

Hilbre Island from Red Rocks. Photo: Dweller88

Thursday 15th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th August

Hilbre Island Guided Walks

Meet 10 a.m.

Head out across the sands from West Kirby to discover the rock pools, seals and seabirds of Hilbre Island. Keep an eye out for the inquisitive grey seals and take part in a scavenger hunt too.

Cost: £5.

Booking essential - Contact Tracey Gibson at Cheshire Wildlife Trust on 01948 820728.

Cleaver Heath. Photo: Laura Higginbottom

Sunday 25th August

Heathland Walk

Meet Cleaver Heath, Heswall - 1.30 p.m.

This event is jointly organised by Wirral Wildlife and Wirral Rangers. A two-hour guided walk, looking at the wildlife and management of Cleaver Heath and Heswall Dales, both areas of scarce lowland heath and designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Sorry, no dogs.

Further details from Mike - 342 4249 (Wirral Wildlife) or Paul - 677 7594 (Mid-Wirral Rangers).

Upcoming Events

Bumblebee. Photo: Johan J.Ingles-Le Nobel

Saturday 3rd August

Get The Buzz: Wild Bee Identification and Biology Workshop - New Ferry

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Morning session at Windsor Close Community Centre, Windsor Close, New Ferry, Wirral, CH62 5BX. Free Parking in Woodhead Street, New Ferry.

Afternoon at the Butterfly Park looking for resident wild bees and learning how to identify  them and how they live. Led by Tony Parker (Liverpool World Museum). Funded  by the "Your Wirral" Imago grant.

Free event.

Note: Morning session aimed at adults and teenagers, not suitable for young children. Afternoon session, suitable for children.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Telephone Hilary Ash 0151 327 5923

Leasowe Lighthouse. Photo: Jim Media

Sunday 4th August

Dunes to the Deep - Leasowe Lighthouse

11 a.m - 4 p.m.

Join us during National Marine Week for a day of seashore fun for all the family, including guided walks with local experts, face painting, children’s crafts, shore searches and a special sand sculpture competition open to everyone.

Free event.

For more information contact Cheshire Wildlife Trust on 01948 820728.

Scything and Lunchtime BBQ - 28th July

Orange Tip Butterfly. Photo: Neil Phillips

The first of three scything tasks at New Ferry Butterfly Park takes place this weekend, organised by Wirral Countryside Volunteers.

Sunday 28th July

Scything To Success

9.30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Meadow-scything at the butterfly park, beginning the annual mowing regime. We'll start by the pond, maintaining the grassland for springtime flowers such as Ladies' Smock (larval food plant of the orange-tip butterfly) then move onto rougher areas of calcareous grassland. 

Lunchtime BBQ pot luck! - so please bring a contribution to cook & share.

Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended. New volunteers VERY welcome, experienced volunteers will be on hand to start you off scything.

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

For more information, contact Paul Loughnane by email or telephone 0151 645 8937.

Dibbinsdale BBQ and Open Day

The Friends of Dibbinsdale are holding a BBQ and Open Day on Saturday 17th August.

For more information about the group and this event, see www.dibbinsdale.co.uk

A Buzz at Thurstaston

18 participants attended this workshop run by Carl Clee and Tony Parker from Liverpool World Museum.

We learned much about the classification and habits of both solitary bees and bumblebees, especially those found on the Wirral and in North Wales. The importance of gardens and allotments for foraging bumblebees was pointed out. Suitable plants and nesting boxes were discussed.

We were all a lot better informed by the time it came to our walk outside and with the help of Carl and Tony were able to see at least 8 different species.

The next Bee Workshop is on Saturday August 3rd in New Ferry.

A morning session at Windsor Close Community Centre, New Ferry, followed by the afternoon at New Ferry Butterfly Park looking for resident wild bees and learning how to identify them and how they live.

Led by Tony Parker (Liverpool World Museum). Funded  by the "Your Wirral" Imago grant.

Booking is ESSENTIAL

Cost: FREE

Contact: Hilary Ash by email or telephone 0151 327 5923.