Spring into life with a visit to RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands this half term

Coot with chick_Lynne Greenstreet

Take a walk on the wild side this May half term and admire nature’s new arrivals. The team at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, near Neston are encouraging visitors to explore the nature trails and discover a range of different homes for wildlife this school holiday.

Dan Trotman, Visitor Experience Manager at the reserve, said: “Spring is a fantastic time of year here; not only is the weather encouraging us to spend more time outdoors, the wildlife is exciting too. Whilst the bluebells have faded for this year, lots of other flowers – the orchids are my favourite – are just starting to bloom. We are also seeing fresh, fuzzy chicks every day, as birds around the pools and trees welcome their young into the world.

“The gentle walks meander through beautiful wetland, woodland and grassland and offer the chance to get close to elegant egrets, brilliant butterflies and lounging lizards, who bask on wooden fences soaking up the sun’s warmth.”

In celebration of all the feathered new arrivals, families visiting the reserve can follow the ‘Baby Birds’ quiz trail to test their knowledge of the fresh faces seen around the reserve at this time of year. Plus, there’s lots of other fun, family activities to take part in, from hiring a Wildlife Explorer backpack, complete with minibeast kit, mini binoculars and more, to having a go at den building or enjoying a picnic with family and friends.

The Baby Birds self-led quiz trail is available daily from 9.30am-4.30pm until Sunday 3 June. All activities are free of charge but normal reserve admission charges apply for non-RSPB members.

For more information on the reserve and its activities, please call 0151 353 2720 or check out the website rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands

What’s going on in the garden? New poll reveals what people are up to in their gardens and backyards

Gatekeeper

Have you ever wondered what’s going on in your neighbour’s garden? Are you worried that you’ll be caught having a gawp? Well now you don’t have to. Recent RSPB polls have revealed what’s going on in people’s gardens all over the UK – from what wildlife they’d like to see more of in their outdoor space to what is the most likely item to be passed over the garden fence.

   

It was revealed that almost two-thirds (65%) of people in the UK would like to see more butterflies in their garden, making them the most commonly desired garden species. Garden birds, such as robins, starlings and house sparrows, swiftly followed with 62% of people wanting to see more of them, with the top three rounded off by hedgehogs (53%) 

 Robins

Commenting on the results, Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation’s Head of Recording, said: “Butterflies bring bright colours and graceful movement to our gardens and epitomise the long, warm days of summer. They also provide an important signal about the state of other pollinating insects; a garden full of butterflies will support a myriad of other beneficial and fascinating creatures too.”

As to be expected relaxation proved to be the most popular main function for many gardens in the UK, with 44% of people with an outdoor space using them to kick back and relax. However, almost 1 in 10 (9%) see the main function of their garden or outdoor space is to help support wildlife .

Richard Bashford, RSPB Giving Nature a Home Project Manager, said: “Gardens and outdoor spaces are a place that people love to socialise, spend time with the kids and just generally relax after a long day. But the great thing about gardens is that they are multi-functional – we can socialise and relax in them but they’re also a perfect place for people to help support wildlife. And having a garden brimming full of wildlife makes them even lovelier places to enjoy.”

Hedgehogs

You don’t need green fingers to make your garden more wildlife-friendly. The RSPB’s free Giving Nature a Home guide is full of useful hints, tips and activities for the whole family - there’s something for everyone and every size of garden.  

Richard added: “The polls showed three-quarters of the UK population with a garden or outdoor space feel that it is important to encourage wildlife into gardens . The RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home campaign encourages people to get out in their garden and do something for nature; no matter how big or small, it will make a huge difference and help nature find a home.”

It was also revealed that the UK is a nation of people who enjoy a gossip with their neighbour. In the answer to the question ‘which, if any, of the following items are you or your neighbour most likely to pass over the garden fence’ 21% of people surveyed answered ‘gossip’, another 6% answered ‘flower bulbs/seeds’ and ‘ladder’, and 5% said ‘hedge clippers’ and ‘wildlife/gardening advice’ .

The polls were carried out to get an insight into how people helped UK wildlife in their garden or outdoor space, and if they felt it was important to encourage other people where they lived to do the same.  

Through the RSPB’s campaign Giving Nature a Home you can help tackle the housing crisis facing the UK’s threatened wildlife. The charity is asking people to provide a place for wildlife in their own gardens and outside space – whether it is by pollen-rich plants to attract bees and butterflies, putting up a nest box for a house sparrow, or creating a pond that will support a number of different species.

To find out more about the RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home campaign and how you can help, visit: www.rspb.org.uk/homes