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Pets and Wildlife
Pets&Wildlife
ZOO BOOST TO WILDLIFE AND WELLBEING
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A 10-mile ‘nature corridor’ aiming to protect wildlife in Cheshire has seen significant progress, thanks to conservation experts from Chester Zoo, government grants – and you!
One year after Chester Zoo was given a near-million pound grant from the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund to create and connect wildlife habitats across the city of Chester, conservationists have revealed major progress in their efforts to recover local biodiversity. The ambitious ‘Nature Recovery Corridor’ scheme – a partnership between a host of organisations including the Zoo, Cheshire West & Chester Council, the Canal & River Trust, Sustrans, the Land Trust and Cheshire West Communities Together – is aiming to restore wildlife-rich habitats between Chester and Ellesmere Port and support declining species in need of urgent help.
Local schools and community volunteers are involved and taking conservation action as part of the project, improving access to nature for disadvantaged groups.
On a mission
Now, 12 months since being awarded funding for the project, the team has revealed a number of highlights: • More than 23 hectares of meadow and long grass that provides essential habitat for pollinators has been established • 2.5 hectares of canal has been cleared of invasive plants, allowing native wildlife such as otters and kingfishers to thrive • 250m of wetland has been created to provide habitat for secretive birds such as snipe and water rail • Reedbeds have been brought under sensitive management, allowing nesting opportunities for migrant warblers • New pond areas have been created to help aquatic life, including frogs, toads, newts and dragonflies, as well as providing a water source for mammals such as foxes and badgers • Hedgerows have been restored, providing nectar in the spring for bees, and berries in the winter for birds • 30 native apple and pear trees have been planted to form a new orchard, providing vital new habitat.
Helen Bradshaw, a UK wildlife conservation expert at Chester Zoo, is leading on a scientific project to monitor and research the new
habitats as they’re being created. She said: “Our journey to transform this huge stretch of land between Chester and Ellesmere Port is well underway. What’s special about the Nature Recovery Corridor is its focus on restoring or creating a whole range of habitat types – from community greenspaces to reedbeds and grasslands, and all the areas that connect these together. The ecological crisis means many habitats are at risk, so variety and interconnectivity are key to successfully recovering declining species. “We’ve been able to confirm that rare Nathusius’s pipistrelle bats are present in the corridor, which is incredibly exciting. For the first time, we’ve been able to manage areas of grassland that secretive harvest mice rely on, and the wetlands we’ve created have already filled with water. We’re collecting lots of data and, hopefully, in another 12 months’ time, we’ll be able to The ponds support all kinds of aquatic life confirm lots of other exciting species living here too.” Hannah Brooks, Chester Zoo’s community engagement manager, is overseeing the scheme. She said: “There’s never been a more pressing time for people to come together and take a stand for nature. This project is showing what a difference real collaboration between specialists, volunteers and engaged community groups can do.”
New wetlands are filling with water
Community co-operation
“Already more than 7,000 people have joined us in getting involved,” added Hannah. “The pride that local communities are taking in the project and the greenspaces on their doorsteps is exactly what’s needed if we’re to see longlasting transformative change. With everyone invested and everyone connected to nature, we can fight back and reverse species decline.”
A rare Nathusius’ s pipistrelle bat
Cute Pets PETS & WILDLIFE a £25 voucher for Bradeley Green pet store in Whitchurch, WIN to spend in-store or online at petcetera.co.uk
Mabli (Welsh for ‘lovable’) Bailey
Charlie looking bonny
Kitty who was found as a stray Bryn the sprocker spaniel is four. He’s very cuddly and likes to play with the cat. Bertie the surfi ng poochon
Cute kitten Gus
Yuna’s fi rst trip to the beach Dexter the St Bernard and Bailey the tabby are thick as thieves!! Frankie chilling in the sunshine
Pip enjoying her day out
Bradeley Green, Tarporley Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 4HD www.petcetera.co.uk Tiddles and Puddles
Mischievous Labrador Nala Magnus who enjoys hiding in the fl ower beds
Lily
Roxy the French bulldog
Congratulations to Val Joy, owner of Dandelion and Indigo for winning the Cute Pets competition this issue!
Sally who is seven and loves going on holiday to Cornwall Tiko Willow after playing in a muddy puddle
Win some pet treats! To enter, email a photograph of your pet and their name to editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk and the Shire team will pick the winner!
Terms: the winner will be chosen by Shire and be given the option of receiving a voucher to spend in-store or a digital code to redeem online at petcetera.co.uk. The voucher will be valid for six months and cannot be used in conjunction with any other o er.
All images © Keith O ord
Where have all the plovers gone?
…and the ouzel, snipe and wheatear? One of Wales’ most important wildlife estates has seen the decline of numerous bird species due to the changes in our climate.
The moorlands of Rhug Estate are one of the most important areas of upland habitat in the country and a breeding ground for some of the UK’s most threatened birds. Rhug Estate, along with Rhiwlas and Llanarmon (North Wales Moorland Partnership) undertook a survey of breeding birds as part of an EU-funded sustainable management scheme to help to inform initiatives in the future.
Ornithologist Keith Offord, who has extensive experience of the Berwyn mountains over 45 years, expanded his usual surveying as part of the project, since the size of the survey area is formidable and the terrain difficult to negotiate. Strikingly, he found that compared with 45 years ago, there have been significant declines in certain species, and some are absent altogether. Those in decline include golden plover, ring ouzel, red grouse, black grouse, snipe, wheatear, dunlin, merlin and curlew.
Heart-wrenching
An obvious common factor, said Offord, is that they are specialist upland species at the southern limit of their UK range. It has long been predicted that climate shifts will have the greatest impact on species that belong in particular climatic envelopes. Conversely, a number of species at the northern edge of their European range are spreading north. Lord Newborough, owner of Rhug Estate, said: “We value Keith’s expertise and appreciate the extensive work he has carried out. It is heart-wrenching to learn of the species we may never see here again as a result of how the climate is changing.”
On the up
Despite declines in some species, others such as the meadow pipit are thriving. Cuckoos, which as brood parasites are dependent on species such as meadow pipit, are correspondingly healthy in number, although in steep decline across much of farmland Britain. Other species showing an increase include carrion crow, red kite, hobby, raven and whitethroat, willow warbler, blackbird and wren. Keith Offord added: “The survey habitats demonstrate how a differing mosaic produces the greatest diversity of bird species. A mix of heather, bilberry, gorse, bracken, common sedge and a scattering of native trees, such as rowan, provide optimum conditions for diversity.”
Radnorshire Wildlife Trust has successfully recruited two young people for a six-month traineeship, as part of the Stand for Nature Wales project. The traineeship was set up for 18–24 year olds to work alongside the Trust’s dedicated team of staff and volunteers, gaining the vital professional skills required for that first step into the conservation sector.
Since starting in September, the trainees have enthusiastically taken part in habitat management, litter picking, scything training and species surveys, including for moths and fungi. They have also attended beaver consultations, school sessions and outreach events, in addition to creating the
The meadow pipit Stable for now: the cuckoo
under-25s digital newsletter content.
Trainee Joe said: “Throughout my teenage years I’ve been interested in climate change and wildlife destruction. The traineeship looked like the perfect opportunity to take that first step into combatting it.” Fellow trainee Catrin said: “Having graduated in Bioarchaeology, I am reigniting my childhood passion for wildlife.”
The programme is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund and People’s Postcode Lottery. For details, email the SNW community officer Silvia Cojocaru: silvia@rwtwales.or
STAND FOR SKILLS
A special traineeship is allowing two young people to help nature at the same time as gaining skills for the future
Species surveys are vital
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All of a flutter
Welcome wildlife into every garden this winter
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1. Bradeley Green budget wild bird seed £21.99 for 20kg, Petcetera,
Bradeley Green, Whitchurch; petcetera.co.uk 2. Gardman beach hut bird house £19, Snowdonia Nurseries, Conwy; snowdonianurseries.co.uk 3. Treat tray window feeder £5.99, RSPB; rspb.org.uk 4. Peanut cake squares, from £2.59 each, CJ Wildlife, Upton Magna,
Shropshire; birdfood.co.uk 5. Artisan bird nester £14 (sale price), RSPB; rspb.org.uk 6. Peckish supreme garden bird table £54.99, Shawbury Garden Centre,
Shawbury, Shropshire; shawburygardencentre.co.uk 7. Peckish small bird feeder £12.99, Bents Garden Centre, Glazebury,
Cheshire; bents.co.uk 8. Henry Bell Heritage squirrel-proof feeder £24.99, The Old Railway Line
Garden Centre, Brecon; oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk 9. Giant suet ball feeder £8, Wynnstay Stores; wynnstay.co.uk 10. Hanging snack tray £14.99, Minshulls Garden Centre, Crewe; minshulls.co.uk 11. Wildlife World Nature Oasis wildlife bath £15.99, Charlies Home and
Garden, Shrewsbury; charlies.co.uk 12. Rustic wall-mounted bird feeder house £30, British Ironwork Centre,
Oswestry; britishironworkcentre.co.uk
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Forget watching Cash in the Attic – are you sitting on your very own gold mine? Shire talks to Dave McGray of Gold and Silver Roadshow about nding treasure at home to fund that special something or just to settle those rising bills.
Most of us idly dream of winning the pools or the lottery, but many ordinary households have forgotten valuables stored away – old gold and silver jewellery, items and collectibles that could be turned into cash.
“A lucky couple called at one of our recent roadshow events with a couple of gold chains, a silver charm bracelet and a bag of old silver coins. We paid them over £1,600 just for the coins alone,” says expert Dave McGray. “They turned out to be pre-1947 silver coins that were normal currency a few years ago and are now highly collectable.”
Perhaps you have something you’ve stashed away because it was
given to you by a relative or no longer fits in with your decor? “Dealers are paying big prices for old jewellery and gold and silver objects,” says Dave. “Most unusual gold and silver items are no longer fashionable, but we deal with collectors who will pay high prices for these. Wristwatches and old-fashioned pocket watches can surprise you with their value – you will be amazed by the amounts currently being offered.”
Gold and Silver Roadshow will give you a free, honest valuation, with attentive service within a few minutes and rarely any queuing. “Our expert will give you a one-on-one appraisal of the value of your treasured possessions in a private area with no one looking over your shoulder. If you like the valuation, our expert will make you an offer in cash, which you can accept or decline, at no cost to yourself.”
If you think you don’t have anything of value, think again. “We will look at old or foreign coins, old wrist or pocket watches, chains, bracelets, rings and bangles – in any condition, broken or not,” says Dave. “If you think it is a diamond ring, bring it along and we will confirm it to be genuine. If you have an old trophy or tankard or any silver-coloured items, let us value them for you.”
Gold and Silver Roadshow is interested in all foreign and pre-1947 UK silver coins. “We pay at least 10 times face value for these,” promises Dave.
Did you know? Canadian Maples are 24-carat pure gold and feature the maple leaf
No longer fashionable – but maybe valuable?
TEAPOTS AND TUNICS
As well as gold jewellery and coins such as sovereigns, Krugerrands and Maples, there are less obvious items that could be of interest, such as dental gold. Likewise Dave is interested in any silver such as trays, teapots, cigarette cases and cutlery. “I’d also offer cash for platinum and antique jewellery”
In addition, Gold and Silver Roadshow is on the look-out for war medals and old Masonic memorabilia and medals. “We have paid thousands of pounds for certain war medals and even the General Service Medal group is worth bringing in, especially if you have the original box and letters to accompany them.” Also of great interest are old military uniforms, tunics, hats and any Army, Navy or RAF field gear.
So why not have an early spring clean, dig out those ‘no longer treasured’ items and turn them into cash?
Seekanexpert opinion
See for yourself at a one-day Gold and Silver Roadshow
• 28th January at the Royal Oak Hotel, Bromborough • 30th January at the Woodlands Hall Hotel, Woodlands
Hall Caravan Park, Ruthin • 31st January at the Mercure Abbots Well Hotel, Chester
All events run from 10.30am-4pm. Call 07378 965411 or email info@goldandsilverroadshow.co.uk
