Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Mid Cheshire Group

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MID CHESHIRE WILDLIFE GROUP

Your Local Group of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust

NEWSLETTER JANUARY – MAY 2007

From the Chairman

We are using this newsletter to give the necessary notification of our Group AGM. I would appreciate member involvement in this short but key session. The AGM will be on Thursday 15 February at 7.0pm at Fox Howl, Delamere Forest Outdoor Education Centre on Ashton Road - WA6 6PA. This will be an opportunity to thank members of the committee who are now standing down and welcome new committee members.

We have booked Fox Howl for the whole evening so there will be plenty of opportunity to socialise and enjoy refreshments. We cannot promise the full moon and spectacular night walk held last January but do come prepared with wellies and woollies!

Before that I look forward to meeting you at our launch event for 2007 on 17 January - I can promise a really fascinating evening with our Trust Chairman Professor David Norman.

Best Wishes Peter Young

From the Editor

Dear Members and Supporters from Vale Royal (and neighbouring parts).

I am sitting with my feet on a hot water bottle, ice on the pond, a wintry sun lighting the frosted ground and bluetits hammering at the peanuts in the feeder. Welcome to winter and wishing you all a 2007 full of wildlife interest!

The committee has arranged some joint meetings in this season's programme. Do support us when you can. If you have other suggestions for sharing events with other groups please let us know.

This will be my last newsletter as editor as I have moved out of the group area. I would like to take this opportunity of wishing the group and especially the dedicated members of the committee every success in the future. The trust now has quite an army of professional staff but local volunteers are still the major source of support for local wildlife and recording what our wildlife is up to.

I shall continue to visit my favourite spots in Mid Cheshire and join in events at Fox Howl whenever I can - certainly those advertised in this issue. Thanks especially to Kay George who has agreed to join the committee and support the links to Delamere Forest and Fox Howl.

Best Wishes Joan Fairhurst

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 Len Johnson.

Abbots Moss

Abbots Moss, one of the nature reserves in the Mid Cheshire area

Events January to May 2007

Wednesday 17 January 7.30pm
A joint event with Frodsham Naturalists
The ups and downs of Cheshire birds presented by Professor David Norman, Editor of the forthcoming Breeding Bird Atlas for Cheshire.
This event will be held in the Frodsham Community Centre on Fluin Lane. CWT members and friends will be asked to contribute £2 on entry. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Tuesday 13 February 7.30pm
An evening hosted by Kelsall Gardening Club
Wildlife Gardening with Sue Tatman from Cheshire Wildlife Trust. CWT members are invited to join this event held in the Methodist Church Meeting Room on Chapel Bank in Kelsall. There is some parking next to the Methodist Chapel and it is only a short walk from the larger car park at the Morris Dancer Pub. CWT members will be asked to contribute £2 on entry.

Thursday 15 February 7.00pm
Group AGM At Fox Howl, Ashton Road WA6 6PA.
Fox Howl is the Cheshire Education Authority Outdoor Education Centre on the edge of Delamere Forest, previously known as a YHA property. There is a carpark on the Ashton side of the building and overspill layby on the road. Please bring a torch as there is no road lighting.

Thursday 15 February 7.30pm
Group Social - Hot Pot Supper with Wildlife Natter
Please bring your own choice of drink. Members of the committee will provide a selection of yummy food (local produce of course). Vegetarians can be accommodated. Ecologically sensitive carnivores and omnivores welcome. We would like a contribution of £8.00 per head to cover the costs of using Fox Howl and the purchase of food which will include baked potatoes, beef casserole and vegetable casserole followed by various ways of enjoying apples.
If weather permits there is an option of a night walk - BE PREPARED!
Please book your place by phoning Joan on 01352 771183 - before 9 Feb please.

Wednesday 21 March 5.00-7.00pm
Early Spring bird song Hosted by Fox Howl Bird Song Group
This is the first of the sessions based from Fox Howl which follows the well established approach, to recognise the wealth of bird song in our woodland. All are welcome as we can break into smaller groups if appropriate. Binoculars and outdoor clothing essential. The sessions are being advertised through CAWOS and the Wildlife Trust to benefit from the wealth of knowledge that can be shared. There will be a charge to contribute to the centre’s equipment.

Wednesday 25 April 5.00-7.00pm
Early migrant bird song Session II with Fox Howl Bird Song Group.
You are welcome to join individual sessions although differentiating the songs does get more difficult as spring advances. For further information contact Kay George on 01606 882183.

Saturday 5 May 2pm
Annual Spring Plant Sale at Cuddington Scout Hut
Please bring spare plants, especially those attractive to wildlife, to share with others and raise funds for local wildlife reserves. Plants can be brought from 11am to the Scout Hut. The sale opens at 2pm promptly.

Sunday 20 May 5.30AM
Early Risers Session III with Fox Howl Bird Song Group.
Can you get to Fox Howl for 5.30am ready for a spectacular morning? The rewards are immense including hot drinks and bacon butties at 7.30ish. For those with time the morning continues with a visit to Blakemere. Please book for this - call Kay George on 01606 882183.

Wednesday 13 June 5.00-7.00pm
Established Territories Session IV with Fox Howl Bird Song Group. This draws the series to a close with a review of nesting success and our own progress in understanding the bird life of the forest.