An active environment

June 4th celebrated the start of Wyre’s Environment weekend. Saturday 4th June saw hundreds of visitors enjoying a glorious day of sunshine with a full day of entertainment: Wyre Estuary Country Park Spring Open Day. Highlights of the day included the 2nd Wildlife Photography Competition, childrens activities including making bird boxes, tree decorating and the Creepy Crawly Road show.

Local schools have been enjoying Ranger lead guided activities including River explorer walks, habitat surveys and sensory activities.

The Wyre Estuary Country Park has been a buzz of activity recently. Volunteers and walkers participated in a sponsored walk in aid of Trinity Hospice. The Green Flag Award judges have recently inspected the site to qualify for the 2010/2013 award. Thanks to all staff and volunteers who have supported the Country Park through the judging time.

Students from Beaumont College, Lancaster have been engaged in a fantastic project to develop a timber Hazel dome. Sustainably sourced and constructed by hand the Hazel dome has been affectionately know as Hazel heights. Beaumont College will be back at the park in the Autumn to weave living willow around the structure.

The Coast and Countyrside Volunteers have been instrumental in providing first class work at the park. Conducting maintenance tasks, assisting with events and activities, undertaking wildlife surveys and much more.

Wildlife sightings include:

Birds: Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Blackbird, Great Tit, Robin, Wood pigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Wren, House Sparrow,

Mammals: Pipistrelle Bat, Stoat, Fox

Two ducks

A drake and female Mallard are regular visitors to the Countrypark Office and bring much cheer to the team and for visitors.

The Wyre Estuary Country Park is alive with Spring! There is so much to tell you that i would be here for sometime and you would be missing out on it all happening. So here in brief is whats on!

Bird life sightings: Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed bunting (2 pairs), Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackbirds, Wren, Robin, Collared Doves, Wood Pigeon, Shelduck, Redshank, Herons,

Mammal sightings: Short tailed vole, Pipistrelle bats

Butterfly sightings: Tortoiseshell, Large White, Red Admiral, Common Blue, Orange Tip

Flora: This is just a selection of: Bluebell, Red Campion, Wild Garlic, All trees are now i leaf and Blackthorn is still holding it’s blossom, Midland hawthorn with stunning pink blossom.

There are some outstading events approaching which i feel you should take a look at and join:

Spring Stroll: May 14th 2011: Enjoy a Spring Stroll around the Wyre estuary Country Park. Time 1 pm – 3pm.

Dawn Chorus: May 21st. 4 am – 6 am
An early morning walk to listen out for bird song at sunrise. Bring a flask and a pair of binoculars. Price: £3.00- adults. £2.00 concessions.

Spring Open Day: 4th June, 11am – 4 pm. Join the Country park team in a variety of family activities to celebrate Spring and World Environment Day.

Enjoy the glorious Spring weather everyone! Visit us soon.

Wecome in the Spring

Rat a tat tat, Rat a tat tat. When you visit the Country Park this is one of the familiar noises that you may hear within the small areas of woodland. This belongs to the Great Spotted Woodpecker which is now a regular visitor to the site.

Spring is truly with us here at the park. The first signs of Spring is the flowering bloom on the Blackthorn. Green shoots of vegetation bursting their way through the ground, all depict the beginning of life at this marvellous time of the year.

A welcome return to the ChiffChaff, Reed Buntings, the Blackcap and the Whitethroat which sing merrily across the site.

So what have the Ranger team been doing during this busy time. The fabulous volunteer teams have been supporting the Country Park with a woodland creation scheme. The final stages of this 2 year programme of creating woodlands came to conclusion recently: The last of 500 native, deciduous trees being planted last week. The existing woodlands were planted approximately 20 years ago. The new 3/4 acre of established woodlands will encourage wildlife value in addition to the recreation value of the site.

The latest edition to the Country Park is the growth of the Natural Play area which is absolutely in full swing (no pun intended). Funding from Wyre Council and the Forestry Commission has succesfully delivered this fantastic new play facility which had taken over a year of planning and publi consultation. A play area has been requested by visitors for sometime and it is really exciting that this facility has been provided. In addition to the play area, an open air theatre has also been created following on the success of the Theatre weekend during 2010. A programme of activity is planned to ensure this unique facility is used well. The theatre area and playground are free to access.

The Oystercatcher January/February 2011

January February 2011

Introducing the Oystercatcher

The Oystercatcher is the monhtly newsletter for the Wyre Estuary Country Park. Designed to keep our visitors updated with current news, events, up and coming activities.

It is no mean feat

It is no mean feat being only inches long facing hundreds of foot vertical climb.  However enjoyable this must be there is only one animal that does this with quick, skilful and unique style.  I am of course talking about the Tree Creeper.  First sighted this morning climbing up and around a Sycamore tree.

A very active day both in wildlife and human terms on the park today.  High tide (approx 10 meter above) pushed up Winter wildfowl and waders.  Lapwing, Teal, Redshank, Curlew, Mallard thronged the marshes.  A single male Reed bunting chirruped in the reed.  Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue and Great tit, Blackbird safely tucked in shrubs and trees.  Safer than the two male pheasants ‘scrapping’ in the middle of the main road by St Michael’s this morning. 

Watch out for the Big Garden Bird Watch on Sunday 30th January, 2pm-3.30pm .  The Rangers welcome you to join this free activity starting fromthe Wyreside Visitor Centre.

Rudolph the Rednosed Ranger

Ever wondered what Countryside Rangers get up to when the ground is frozen?  The temperatures are below reasonable working temperatures in the office?  We are out and about in the glorious Wyre countryside.  Talking to people, visitors to Wyre, clearing off footpaths and gritting them safe to walk, observing wildlife movements tree planting (when the ground thaws out) It is these times that visitors to the Countryside and to Countryside sites really do appreciate seeing Rangers out.  

Because there are a lot of animals depending on us to ‘help them out’ during these harsh winter days, wildlife observations are vital to record.  About a dozen Redwings and 3 blackbirds were observed taking berries from the Hawthorn today.  24 Goldfinch flew over head with Pink foot geese, flying north and 2 mute swans flying south to find their own sanctuary.

Great tits, Wren, House Sparrow, Dunnock and Blue tit forage in the hedgerows and trees.  Out foraging on the marshes are Dunlin, Teal, Black Tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Curlew and Redshank. 

What for our Ranger who has spent the morning and early afternoon enjoying the special weather?  Well he has also observed that the Natural Play area is developing very nicely with the first structures in place.  Large upright posts which will form the perimeter fence and seating have been placed.  Looking forward to the week ahead and the New year which will bring fresh and exciting challenges.  What was that noise?  A familair sound for a hungry Ranger.  The sound of boiling water!  Happy Charistmas and a very Healthy new Year

Natural Play

 Has Christmas come early?  Has Mr Claus punched the incorrect postcode into his sleigh sat nav?  It has not happened , but the anticipated wait for the woodland play area is over.

Delivery of security fencing, and the first developments of the Natural Play area began.  The Natural Play area has developed over the past 12 months of planning, consultation and fund raising. 

The site has a very natural character; being bounded on three sides by mature tree planting yet having good visual links towards the Wyre Estuary. Popular ‘riverside’ walks are located adjacent to the proposed play space with parking and mobility parking being provided close by.

 The scheme occupies a curved area of gently sloping open ground; its shape being defined by the adjoining woodland. The character of the scheme recognizes the importance of both woodland and estuary.

 The scheme is arranged to encourage free movement both around and through the play space. The proposed low timber walls allow readjustment of ground levels, establish site boundaries and as a play activity, provide balancing routes meandering through and around the site. As an alternative balancing activity, boulders and posts are positioned to establish a continuous link through the play space.  The low timber walls also provide plenty of locations for informal seating for children, parents and grand parents.

 In keeping with the natural character of the site, timber play equipment was considered appropriate as was the need to offer opportunities both for small and large group play. The “busier” climbing structures are located to the rear of the site and adjacent to boundary woodland. To the front of the scheme, swinging structures for individual, group and accessible use are positioned to ensure that views towards the estuary are not hindered.  Bark safer surfaces are proposed to maintain the natural character of the scheme.

The playground will be completed early in 2011.

Those frost days

They are not peturbing our local wildlife. The winds blew the last remaining leaves from the trees allowing some excellent wildlife sightings. Sparrowhawks patrolling the woodlands, house sparrows cleaning up at the bird feeding stations. Wren in full song and an additional sighting of Goldcrest. Teal and Lapwing actively move along the estuary and saltmarsh.

The avain flight paths are wide open. 8 mute swans flying south west, Pink Foot Geese and Starlings regularly flying from feeding ground to roost.