Wildlife News for September

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RachelMC
Posts: 460
Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 1:04 pm
Location: Chester

Wildlife News for September

Post by RachelMC »

Wildlife News for September:

Merefest13

On Saturday 21st September 2013, the Meres and Mosses Landscape Partnership Scheme is inviting the public to a festival to celebrate the heritage and natural wonders of the Meres and Mosses of South Cheshire and North Shropshire.

Taking place at Cholmondeley Castle, near Malpas (SY14 8AH), the event will host a range of attractions for all the family, including: minibeast hunts, live music, guided nature walks, pond dipping, carousels, trampolining, canoeing, craft demonstrations and stalls with scrumptious local produce.

Entrance is FREE and no booking is required, so why not go along? The festival is taking place from 11am-4pm beside the beautiful Deer Park Mere.

Download the: MereFest13 leaflet for more information

RachelMC
Posts: 460
Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 1:04 pm
Location: Chester

Public Forest Estate - Government Survey Consultation

Post by RachelMC »

Public Forest Estate - Government Survey Consultation:

A new survey is out focusing on Government's plans for a new ‘management body’ which will look after England's publicly owned woods.

Many "stakeholders" have been asked to respond, among them, the Woodland Trust. They want to make sure that they get YOUR views on the important issues this raises, such as what you think the new body should and shouldn't do? Who should be part of it? And, where should the money come from to keep your woods thriving and free to enjoy?

England's forests have been pining for action since the u-turn on plans for a massive sell-off in 2011 ...... Tell The Woodland Trust what you think by 18th September 2013 so your views are included in their official response to the Government's latest plans - click the link below:

Woodland Trust - the public forest estate

RachelMC
Posts: 460
Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 1:04 pm
Location: Chester

Sand Lizards to be re-introduced into the wild

Post by RachelMC »

One of Britain's rarest reptiles, sand lizards to be released back into the wild:

Once commonly found on dunes and heathland, these reptiles became endangered after the gradual destruction of their habitats.

But 27 lizards, reared at Chester Zoo, will soon be returned to their native habitats in Talacre in North Wales.
It is part of special series of releases which will take place this week at seven sites across England and Wales, involving around 400 lizards which have been bred at a host of different breeding centres. The long-term aim of the conservation project is to restore the species to its historic range.

Chester Zoo's specialist keeper, Isolde McGeorge, said: "It's great to be able to play our part and help release these animals back into their natural habitat. It is habitat loss that has led to dwindling numbers of these important species and to see them back where they belong is very rewarding. The release of the lizards is the culmination of a lot of hard work and very successful breeding and reintroduction programmes and we hope eventually they will begin to colonise new areas themselves. It's a big step forward for this great native species."

Sand lizards have disappeared from North and West Wales, Cheshire, Kent, Sussex, Berkshire, Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall.

In the UK sand lizards only live on sand-dunes and lowland dry heath. But due to vast losses and fragmentation of these habitats via development and land use change, the species has been lost from North and West Wales, Cheshire, Kent, Sussex, Berkshire, Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall. However sand lizards and their habitats are now protected by law and the reintroduction programme is slowly boosting their numbers.

Chester Zoo breeding programme:
The hatcheries at Chester Zoo are designed to closely mimic the lizard's natural environment. And after being reared by expert keepers for a number of weeks the captive bred juveniles are then released in early September to allow the animals to gradually get used to their new home before going into hibernation in October.

The zoo is working on the release with a number of volunteers, as well as Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (ARC), Natural Resources Wales, Natural England and nine other breeding centres around the UK.

74 re-introductions:
Jonathan Webster, ARC Chair of Trustees said "We are delighted with the success of the sand lizard re-introduction programme. So far the partnerships have instigated 74 re-introductions to both dune and heathland sites in 12 counties and restored the species to 7 of these. 80% of these have been successful or going well and more are planned for the future."

Liz Howe of Natural Resources Wales said: "Wales has a stunning and varied coastline, which provides us with great opportunities to explore our country as well as providing homes to rare and important species like the sand lizard. This new sand lizard release site on the dunes at the end of the River Dee is an example of the high quality habitat we have on the Clwyd coastline, and will complete the re-introduction programme of this previously extinct species.

"The work we have done with the captive breeders, Chester Zoo, BHP, ARC and local volunteers, has been a great team effort over the last 18 years. The captive breeding stock which originated from the Lancashire dune populations has been carefully nurtured to provide young lizards for our re-introduction programme in north and west Wales."

RachelMC
Posts: 460
Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 1:04 pm
Location: Chester

There's a Spider in da House!

Post by RachelMC »

There's a Spider in da house!

Each autumn, house spiders come in to our houses looking for a mate. The Society of Biology needs your help to study when this happens and to investigate whether the timing is different in different parts of the UK, and whether it is affected by the weather.

This new app for Android and iOS has a basic identification section but is concerned with logging Tegenaria in the UK and will contribute to national data - also don't forget to RODIS all records too!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... usespiders

House spiders in your bath are normally males who are trapped having fallen off the walls while looking for a female to mate with. Females usually stay in their webs, which are often found under the shed, and await a suitor. After a male has found a female's web he will stay with her for a number of weeks, mating with her repeatedly. It is easy to tell the difference between females (above) and males.

The female then overwinters with stored sperm, and the next spring she can produce 10 egg sacs, each containing around 40 to 60 eggs.

Like most spiders, Tegenaria species subdue their prey with venom. The house spider provides a service for home owners, eating flies and other unwanted insects. They are also ecologically important as food for birds and other animals.

Tegenaria house spiders are not the only species found indoors, and other common species include the daddy-long-legs spider, (Pholcus phalangioides) (which is not to be confused with the daddy long legs or crane fly, a completely harmless type of fly)

More at The Society of Biology website: https://www.societyofbiology.org/get-in ... der-survey

RachelMC
Posts: 460
Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 1:04 pm
Location: Chester

Wind Turbines Planned in Wirral

Post by RachelMC »

Wind Turbines Planned in Wirral:

Battle to protect green belt land after planning application for wind turbines close to Wirral Way
(Sep 25 2013 by Linda Foo Guest, Birkenhead News)

A PLANNING application has been submitted for two wind turbines close to Wirral Way.

The University of Liverpool has applied to install two turbines on land between Cuckoo Lane and Woodfall Lane in Little Neston. The structures would be at the university’s veterinary surgery Leahurst, and also includes a substation and control units.

Protesters fear the turbines would be too close to houses and Woodfall Primary School, as well as an intrusion on green belt land, destroying wildlife and disrupting local bird populations. As reported in Wirral News in May, they feared a fresh application. It follows a previous bid which the university withdrew 12 months ago to carry out further surveys requested by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CW&CC). The proposal had over 300 objections.

A wildlife study took place last winter – which has attracted criticism about the period it was conducted.
Neil Heather, chair of Ness Conservation Society, says it will open the way to further development on Green Belt land if the proposal goes ahead. He also fears the blades could stand 350feet above sea level – endangering birds, especially migration from the Dee estuary.

He said: “The new planning application is exactly the same as the last one which was withdrew last September.
“The university carried out a wildlife survey, but it was only a short one conducted over the coldest winter months where wildlife is the least active. They also held a presentation in Neston library about the plans, and the bulk of locals who attended objected to it. Feelings in the community are strongly against the plan. The turbines are 150ft tall. It will open the floodgates and allow them anywhere in Cheshire, which currently doesn't any of this huge scale.
They are noisy so will have an impact on neighbouring houses and Woodfall Primary School.”

A university spokesperson said: “Sustainability is high on the University of Liverpool’s agenda within our campus operations and our research. After consultation with the local authorities, we believe the wind turbines are appropriate for the environment around the Leahurst site. Following a public consultation event in Neston, we have resubmitted an application to Cheshire Council.”

RachelMC
Posts: 460
Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 1:04 pm
Location: Chester

Water Voles Caught on Camera

Post by RachelMC »

Water Voles (Arvicola amphibius) Caught on Camera:

Photographer, Richard Steel, has caught some rare images of a species of vole whose numbers have dwindled everywhere but near Runcorn.

Water Vole (Arvicola amphibius) populations have fallen by a fifth in the space of four years, making them Britain’s ‘fastest declining’ mammal.

But, Frodsham Marshes and the River Weaver remain strongholds.

Wildlife experts believe the county’s canal network provides a stable water level and embankments for living in.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust released pictures by animal photographer Richard Steel. He has worked to capture images of Water Voles, which found fame over a century ago as the misleadingly-named ‘Ratty’ in Kenneth Grahame’s "Wind In The Willows" series of stories.

The Trust, with backing from the Environment Agency, The Canal And River Trust and Chester Zoo, are analysing more than 50km of waterways each year with the support of volunteers.

Wildlife photographer Richard Steel finds the voles captivating, despite the long hours needed to capture the right image.

Rich said: “I have become a lifelong fan of Water Voles. These aren’t the easiest of locations to work in but I like a challenge. I’m now addicted to Water Vole photography which I find very relaxing and, although it requires some patience, it’s always a real pleasure to watch these very endearing animals.”

Dr Vicky Nall, of CWT, said: “The national picture for Water Voles is certainly a worry, especially at a time where funding to continue monitoring their status across the UK is harder to come by. We’ve been lucky to have the Heritage Lottery and our other conservation partners to support our continued work in the North West to assess how Cheshire’s Water Voles are faring, and we’re seeing some positive signs of recovery and new strongholds too, showing a real resilience in these charismatic creatures.”

Read guides on how to spot Water Voles at: http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

Image

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