AWEG visits Hilbre Island

Despite a dire weather forecast with rain supposed to be falling all day, an AWEG (Audlem Wildlife & Ecology Group) party headed off yesterday for Hilbre Island in the Dee Estuary off West Kirby.

The weather forecast, rather than the weather, proved gloomy as, apart from a shower en route to Chester, it was dry yet bracing out on the island, or rather group of three small islands.

Hilbre is renowned for its bird life and flora. The sandstone cliffs, weathered by winds and tides, are also notable. The small group of islands can be accessed on foot for about three hours either side of low tide using a recommended route across the sands from West Kirby marine lake.

While many of the wading birds that Hilbre is famed for must have heard the weather forecast too and fled, the party encountered seals, including one youngster that appeared to be marooned on the the rocks while its presumed mother kept an eye on it from the nearby water.

AWEG was formed last year. Since then, membership has increased and a full programme of activities has been developed. Last week, Shirley Burton led a botanical survey in Mill Lane, Corbrook.

Further visits in 2011 are planned to the Cheshire Wildlife Trust HQ near Malpas, Mottey Meadows in Staffordshire, and some private wildlife gardens in Coxbank and Wybunbury Moss.

AWEG will also have a stand at the Highfields Gala on May 7/8, and hopes to start culling the over-invasive Himalayan Balsam which is threatening some of our stream banks and wetland areas.
 
Good working relationships with other wildlife groups in Cheshire have led to a proposal from the county recording group based at Chester Zoo that AWEG should take part in their new project to work with rural villages to run events and encourage wildlife recording.

Further information may be obtained from Greville Watts – 01270 812414 or greville.watts@btinternet.com">greville.watts@btinternet.com.

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