MID CHESHIRE WILDLIFE GROUP

Your Local Group of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust

NEWSLETTER JANUARY – JANUARY - MAY 2008

From the Chairman

Our AGM will be held this year at the Summertrees Cafe in Kelsall on Shrove Tuesday (5th February) at 7pm. This will be followed by a social meal together from 7.30 which will give us a chance to discuss all sorts of wildlife issues over the hotpot and pancakes – do come along and get to know some fellow members. Please let Kay know by January 20th if you can come to the social meal to assist the planning.

We have had a number of enjoyable events over the past few months, including a visit to Hilbre Island in August, and a walk around Marbury Country Park and the canal followed by a pub lunch at the start of December. As always there was a good selection of birds on the mere although we failed to see the bittern that arrived in mid November. This shows the way that we are now planning our events – outdoor walks and visits with a social element and some joint talks such as that on Hilbre Island with the Frodsham Naturalists planned in March. Please let me know if you have any favourite locations that you would like to share with other members, or suggestions for joint talks with other groups.

As always, our plant sales in the Spring provide a valuable supply of interesting plants to many avid gardeners as well as producing most of the funds that we raise during the year. This would not be possible without the sterling work of many helpers over the years, but especially Frank Godfrey and Nancy Benson, so many thanks Frank and Nancy! Special thanks also to Graham and Janet East who have given us so many plants over the years, and to Denise Atherton whose plants have added considerably to the range on offer. If you can provide some interesting plants from your own garden or greenhouse for the sales please don’t be shy!

Heartfelt thanks also to Len Johnson who has organised the working parties on our reserves for many years. Len is now retiring from this activity and Harold Fielding is taking over. If you would like some time out in good company working on the reserves, please contact Harold.

Best Wishes Peter Young

Working Parties on the first Sunday of each month

A number of the Trust’s Reserves in our area need ongoing work. This usually involves the removal of more aggressive plants which if left would dominate and change the habitat. The major task now is to clear birch scrub from the fringe of Hatchmere where the area of bog myrtle is recovering. Volunteers are provided with tools and supervised. Some of our members are longstanding volunteers. They like a good appetite for Sunday lunch! We can promise good company and good exercise. For further information contact Harold Fielding 01606 882529.