Fenn’s, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses
National Nature Reserve

 

Events 2011

All events (unless stated) must be booked in advance by contacting 01948 880362 or e-mailing paul.huxley@naturalengland.org.uk

Sunday 8 May  Birds of the Mosses Walk   2pm
An afternoon walk on the Mosses with Estelle Hughes and Eric Marsh, volunteers for Natural England, to observe some of the bird species that thrive on the Mosses.  Due to popular demand there will be an additional Birds of the Mosses Walk on Monday 9 May at 2pm led by Pete Bowyer, Natural England & Estelle Hughes. Meet at Manor House Reserve Base, Whixall.

Sunday 15th May   Meres & Mosses Festival   10am – 4pm
Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England have joined forces with Shropshire County Council, Shropshire Sailing Club & other local conservation groups to celebrate the internationally important landscape of the Meres & Mosses at this family festival with fun activities, demonstrations, displays, information, local food and refreshments. To be held at The Mere, Ellesmere. For further info contact Lisa Barlow on 01743 284280 or email: lisab@shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk. No need to book.

Sunday 22 May   Amphibian & Reptile Hunt   9am
An opportunity to discover the amazing world of amphibians and reptiles on the Mosses with Pete Bowyer, Natural England & Robert Bleakley, volunteer. Search for them, see where they live and what they need to survive. Meet at Manor House Reserve Base, Whixall.

Sunday 5 June   Marvellous Moths of the Mosses Walk   2pm 
An afternoon walk with Pete Boardman, to look for the Argent & Sable & other day-flying moths of the Mosses as part of Wales Biodiversity Week. Meet at Morris’ Bridge, Whixall Moss NNR car park. www.biodiversitywales.org.uk

Saturday 11 June   Water Vole Workshop   2pm
Join  Malcolm Monie of the Whitchurch Water Vole Group to find out about the lifestyles of these increasingly rare creatures and learn how to look for signs of activity. Meet at Bettisfield Village Hall.

Sunday 10 July   Dazzling Dragonflies & Damselflies Walk   2pm
Enjoy a walk around the Mosses with Emma Broad, Wrexham County Borough Council, and learn all about the wonderful world of these wetland creatures.  Meet at Manor House Reserve Base, Whixall.

Date T.B.C.   A Year on the Mosses Evening Talk   7:30pm
Come and see what you can see through the year on Fenn’s, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve! Joan Daniels, NNR Manager & Natural England volunteer Barry Probin, will show a range of Barry’s superb evocative images of the landscape, wildlife and management of Britain’s 3rd largest raised bog. To be held at the Glyndwr University, Wrexham as part of the Wrexham Science Festival,
(no need to book) www.wrexhamsf.com                                         

Sunday 31 July   All About Your Mosses   2pm
Join Joan Daniels of Natural England on a walk around the Mosses to celebrate International Bog Day &
see some of the creatures that thrive in this Wetland of International Importance. Meet at Manor
House Reserve Base, Whixall.
                                                
Wednesday 10 August   ‘Mad about the Mosses’ Children’s Summer Holiday Activity Day 
Bog Safari  10am – 2pm
Put your detective skills to the test and explore the reserve to see what creepy crawlies we can find. Make your own bug catcher, try your hand at pond dipping, make a model of your favourite bug & a wildlife home for your garden! Suitable for ages 5+.  Meet at Manor House Reserve Base, Whixall & bring a picnic! Booking is essential.

Friday 19 August   Bat Walk   7:30pm
An evening bat walk with John Morgan and the Shropshire Bat Group to see and hear which species of these unique mammals occur on the Mosses. Booking is essential.  Meet at Bettisfield Old Railway Station. Bring your insect repellent and a torch! www.yearofthebat.org 

Sunday 18 September   A Peat-cutter’s Life   1pm
A stroll around Fenn’s Moss with Bill Allmark, a former peat cutter, to learn how life on the Mosses used to be and why the cutting had to stop! Meet at Bettisfield old railway station.

Sunday 9 October   Fungal Foray   11am & 2pm
A choice of morning or afternoon walks to discover the fabulous fungi on the Mosses with Roy Mantle of the Shropshire Fungus Group. Meet at Manor House Reserve Base, Whixall.  www.britmycolsoc.org.uk

 A Year on the Mosses   7:30pm                                                                                                   
A trip through the year on Fenn’s & Whixall Mosses National Nature Reserve! Joan Daniels, NNR Manager and Natural England volunteer Barry Probin, will show a range of Barry’s superb evocative images of the landscape, wildlife and management of Britain’s 3rd largest raised bog. No need to book.
Tuesday 25 October   To be held at Wem Senior Club, Chapel Street, Wem
T.B.C. October  Oswestry

Wednesday 9 November   Peatman’s Life Talk   7:30pm  
An illustrated talk with former peat cutter Bill Allmark & John Harding looking at what it was like to be brought up in the peat cutting community of Whixall. To be held at Whitchurch Infant School,
Station Road with the Whitchurch branch of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. No need to book.
£2 members, £3 non-members, £1 under 18’s                                    

                               All events are FREE unless otherwise stated

 

The Fenn’s Volunteer Practical Group meets on the 2nd Sunday and 4th Thursday of each month.
For details contact Pete Bowyer on 01948 880362 or e-mail peter.bowyer@naturalengland.org.uk