Text Box: Go Wild on the Moss Text Box: July - “The north west gets a hose pipe ban, its first for over 14 years” Well the signs are all around us. The dried out looking verges; trees and shrubs beginning to shed leaves in an effort to retain moisture; water levels down in local ponds and streams and the lack of snails and slugs! And of course Risley Moss is no different, the woodland ponds have dried out with the mossland scrapes heading in the same direction, leaving behind large expanses of open, dried out areas of peat. What impact this is having on our wildlife is difficult to assess but both dragonflies and butterflies have been hard hit but a few are out such as Four Spotted Chasers, Emperor and Broad bodied Chasers and of course one of their main predators—the Hobby, which can be seen most days on the mossland. Look out too for the Hobby’s other prey the large numbers of Swifts, Swallows and House Martins hawking for insects. The Common Buzzard is very prominent at the moment whilst Green Sandpiper, a migrant which breeds in Scandinavia, is returning to Africa via the UK can currently be heard calling from the mossland. A Common Tern was also noted recently. The sunshine has brought out Speckled Wood, Small and Large White, Large Skipper and on a recent evening visit a few Purple Hairstreaks. Moths too are out in plenty, join us on 16th July to find out more. If you would like to find out more about these species and more besides, then join us on one of the friendly, casual workshops as outlined above! >>> Last months report

RISLEY MOSS  -  Local Nature Reserve

 

Risley Moss is one of the last remnants of the Chat Moss raised bog system which once covered over 100 square miles of the Mersey Valley between Warrington and Manchester.   

The Risley Moss Action Group (RIMAG), formed in 1990, in response to the proposed closure of the reserve, now works in partnership with the current owners, Warrington Borough Council to promote and manage the reserve

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RIMAG IN

  ACTION

Next meeting :

Tuesday 7th September

7pm

Risley Moss Visitor Centre

 

If you are interested in supporting your local nature reserve and would like to be part of this voluntary group then feel free to join us.  

 

For further information contact us via our e mail at mail@rimag.org.uk  or come along on the night and ask for Rob or Andy

 

 

In the Year of Biodiversity the Risley Moss Action Group is running a series of workshops to encourage people to gain a better understanding of the reserve and its wildlife.   These free and informative sessions are open to adults and are suitable for beginners as well as those with previous knowledge.
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Places are limited, booking is essential.

 

To book your place contact RIMAG on

mail@rimag.org.uk

 

For details of further courses click here

WILDLIFE

WORKSHOPS

Mothing for Beginners

       Friday 16th July; 8.30pm until late

                                       A well attended event which led to over 125 species of moth being recorded                                        on the reserve throughout the night.   Jeff Clarke and Paul Hill explained the various methods for luring moths and help identify the many coloured and variable moths drawn to the traps and wine ropes.   Some hardy soles left bleary eyed but enlightened at 3am the following morning!!    …………….   More pictures

 

 

4 spot chaser

Common Buzzard over mossalnd

Elephant Hawkmoth

Jay

Moorhen

About Bats

           Friday 13th August; 8pm until late   

                                                                

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly. Discover the fascinating but often misunderstood world of these amazing creatures.    An illustrated talk and walk covers species identification, distribution of species, monitoring techniques and equipment.   

Book now on mail@rimag.org.uk