AWEG talk and visit

Last Tuesday evening saw a packed AWEG (Audlem Wildlife and Ecology Group) meeting in the Lord Combermere with all fascinated by a talk by local vet Chris Lewis.

Four years ago, he and Rosie visited the Falkland Islands and Chris's talk included the photos they had taken of the flora and fauna of the remote South Atlantic islands, particularly the smaller islands in the group where sea lions, seals, a variety of penguins and many species of seabirds can be found.

His talk also included fascinating details of the trip out there via Ascension Island and asides about the impact of the 1982 war with Argentina on the islanders and their economy.

The group also discussed the programme of visits to wildlife sites and events this year.

The programme got underway yesterday when a small but select group travelled to Parkgate on the Wirral for the High Tide event, one of those rare occasions when a very high Spring Tide floods towards the sea wall and almost covers the marshes which have silted up the old port over the past two hundred years.

The flooding of the marsh means many small animals have to emerge into the open, attracting raptors including hen and marsh harriers, short eared owls, merlins, peregrines, kestrels and sparrowhawks while a very wide range of waders, ducks and geese come close to the seawall.

Thousands of birdwatchers were there and the group also visited the RSPB reserve at Burton on the return journey.

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