Carol's Reflections on the Butterfly Park Open Day

Peacock butterfly seen at the Open Day. Photo: John Gill

Well, wow what a really lovely day we've just had.

Now that it's over we're actually quite sad. 

Many thanks to the Mayor and also to the Dame, 

to the stall holders and everybody else who came.

A few butterflies were spotted as the weather stayed nice,

and ladybirds and shield bugs as well as woodlice.

People loved pedalling the smoothie bike

and the Barbecue was another big like. 

Green flag rose high, seen by visitors and passers by;

but the newts are now tired; we cannot lie. 

The day is over, the volunteers are all spent, yet we're all 

delighted with how well it went.


For a slide show of pictures from the Open Day, please visit the events page on our website:
www.wirralwildlife.org.uk/events.html

Wirral Coastal Walk

This is a plea for sponsorship for our treasurer, John Gill, who is going to take part in the Wirral Coastal Walk once again this year to raise money for Wirral Wildlife (the Wirral Group of Cheshire Wildlife Trust). 

The walk takes place on Sunday 11 May 2014.  It is a total of 15 miles starting at Seacombe Ferry and finishing at Thurstaston Country Park Visitor Centre.

If you would be willing to sponsor John’s walk please send him an email stating your name, first line of your address, postcode, the amount of money you pledge to give, and (if you are a UK taxpayer) whether you are willing to Gift Aid* your donation.

* If you ask for the money to be Gift Aided this means that you want the charity (Cheshire Wildlife Trust) to reclaim tax on the donation. You must have paid, or will pay, an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the Charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs that you donate to will reclaim on your gifts for that tax year. Cheshire Wildlife Trust will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that you give.

Rivacre Valley Walk

Bluebells at Rivacre Valley. Photo: Discover Cheshire

Saturday 10th May

Rivacre Valley Walk

Start 2.30 p.m.
Duration about 1.5 hours.

A spring walk to enjoy the fresh woodland plants, especially the bluebells, and to hear the birds sing.

The walk is all on surfaced paths, but there are steep slopes.

Adults and children over 5 welcome (under 16s must bring an adult with them).

Meet in the car park at Rivacre Valley Visitor Centre, Rivacre Road, Ellesmere Port (about a mile from Overpool railway station).

For Sat-nav: adjacent house is CH66 1SS.
Map of location: https://goo.gl/maps/2N469

For more information telephone Hilary on 0151 327 5923.

The Brownie Bug Hotel

The bug hotel

Last weekend we helped Newton Brownies build a bug hotel. We hope they soon have lots of happy residents.

Butterfly Park Open Day

This year's Open Day at New Ferry Butterfly Park takes place on Sunday 4th May, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside will unveil a new award for the Park, and then there will be lots of children’s activities, BBQ, plant sale, cake stall, craft stalls – and even make your own “smoothie” using Sustrans bike-powered blender!

Free entry.

Come by train or bus (to Bebington Station) or park in surrounding roads.

Disabled parking only within the Park on this occasion.

Map of location.

Spring Planters, Spring Feeders

New Ferry Butterfly Park has been spruced up further by a Love Wirral Grant which has enabled the planting of a holly hedge along our boundary to benefit the holly blue butterfly and to screen urban fencing. Also, 150 primroses, 50 stitchwort and 50 red campion were planted in between bluebells established last November. This en masse planting contributes considerably to the spring nectar sources available to butterflies coming out of hibernation. Thanks to all the volunteers who did this extra planting on top of the preparation for the Open Day and the visit of the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside on Sunday 4th May.

During one workday this spring more than 50 butterflies were recorded at the park including three unmistakeable brightly coloured male brimstone butterflies. This was a delight. They are more regularly seen at the park now, although there is no evidence yet that they are breeding. We eagerly look forward to the month of May when buckthorns can be examined for evidence of brimstone butterfly caterpillars.  Next year when the primroses are truly established it is hoped that the brimstone butterflies will be able to enjoy the primrose flowers as they have a sufficiently  long tongue (16mm) to easily reach down the 10mm flower tube to reach the primrose’s nectar.

Brimstone butterfly. Photo: Wikipedia

April's talk

Common Blue butterflies. Photo: Wikipedia

Friday 11th April

‘Butterflies of the Peak District’

Room B, Heswall Hall, Heswall. 7.30 p.m.

An illustrated talk by Tony Pioli.

Admission £3. All welcome.