Wildlife News for December

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

Wildlife News for December

Post by RachelMC »

Ash Dieback Disease in Cheshire:

So far, the Cheshire region appears to be disease-free, according to the Cheshire Wildlife Trust who recently declared an 'all clear' survey of their key nature reserves in the region that contain Ash trees. In the UK as a whole, cases have reached almost 300, with more than half in mature woodlands.

Although a suspected recent case in Knutsford has not been confirmed by the Forestry Commission, the agency has recorded cases as close as North Wales and in Shropshire near Telford.

Government plans include maintaining the current import ban on ash trees, a targeted management strategy for dealing with infected trees by spring next year, and advice on how to tackle potentially infected leaf litter.

Work will also step up across the UK and elsewhere in Europe to speed-up research into possible resistance to the disease that may exist in existing healthy ash trees.

It is thought the public could also play a key role in monitoring the spread of the disease from 2013, and identification techniques and training packages for volunteers are also in development.

Jacki Hulse, head of estates and land management with Cheshire Wildlife Trust said "It's critical that the cure mustn't be worse than the cause, and the government seems to be taking a science-led approach with ecology at its heart - a move that the Wildlife Trust welcomes."

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

Feed the Birds!

Post by RachelMC »

Feed the Birds!:

Now that the weather is getting colder (minus 3 degrees today!) please don't forget to feed the birds.

Nuts, seeds, fruit such as apples and pears, dried fruit (preferably re-hydrated), bread, cake, suet treats and meal worms are all eagerly gobbled up.

Don't forget some water too, placed in a tray or bird bath. Check it often to make sure it is not frozen. Water can be very scarce in these conditions.


Advice on feeding is available from the: RSPB.

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

Red squirrel seen in Cheshire for first time in 25 years

Post by RachelMC »

Red squirrel seen in Cheshire for first time in 25 years:

Cheshire Wildlife Trust have described the sighting of an apparent wild Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in a Warrington garden as ‘extremely exciting’.

The rare mammal, mostly confined to Scotland and small populations scattered elsewhere across the UK, was last seen in the Cheshire region during the 1980s.

The sighting was confirmed by members of the Warrington Conservation Forum and Cheshire Mammal Group, after a video was captured of the furry visitor making the most of local bird feeders: (see the footage here (post dated 9th December)).

A captive population of Red Squirrels is kept at Walton Gardens, but the nearest wild population is on the Sefton Coast, Lancashire. This group of Red Squirrels suffered a devastating recent drop in numbers after the squirrels succumbed to an infection of pox.

Expert, Paul Hill of the local Mammal Group, said that it was typical for young squirrels to explore beyond their usual territories during the autumn and winter, however the footage appeared to show an adult which was particularly interesting.

A team has now installed specialised nut feeders in the area which allow Red Squirrels to feed, but exclude the larger Grey Qquirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). Motion detection cameras will also be inspected over the coming weeks to see if the Red Squirrels return and to determine if there may be more than one.

Tom Marshall, from Cheshire Wildlife Trust, said: "This is a fantastic good news story and we really hope this visiting Red Squirrel is not alone.

"Our colleagues at Lancashire Wildlife Trust have worked hard on the recovery of Red Squirrels on the Sefton Coast, and to know that the squirrels are potentially exploring beyond this territory could be amazing for the Cheshire region."

Red Squirrels are continuing to suffer from the intrusion of their larger, non-native American cousins into their historical haunts in northern Britain. Bolder and more aggressive, Grey Squirrels are also able to exploit many nuts earlier in the season, reducing supplies for Red Squirrels.

Recent conservation strategies have included culling the non-native greys across a ‘firewall’ in parts of Scotland and northern England to try and minimise the northern spread in efforts to safeguard remaining populations of Red Squirrels.

Image

Article and photo re-posted from Cheshire Wildlife Trust

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