AWEG visits Whixall Moss

Yesterday saw a group of AWEG (Audlem Wildlife & Ecology Group) members on an afternoon conducted tour of the old railway line across Whixall Moss.

Led by bird and butterfly experts Barry and Estelle, both volunteers who lead tours at this rare and fascinating habitat south of Whitchurch, AWEG members were treated to a range of butterflies in huge numbers, dragonflies and the Hobby, a bird of prey that feeds on dragonflies which it catches acrobatically and dissects on the wing before eating.

Before setting out, Barry introduced everyone to a slow worm, one of Britain's less usual reptiles, he had found that morning which was then released back into the Moss.

Pictured are Peacock, Comma, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Meadow Brown and Common Blue butterflies; brown hawker and black darter dragon flies and a Hobby, just a few of the species seen on a glorious sunny day.

Before visiting the Moss, AWEG were treated to a tour of the new garden of founder of AWEG, Greville Watts, just outside Wem where he and Bidi treated the group to a splendid lunch. They moved from Audlem to Shropshire just under a year ago.

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