The weather couldn’t stop the “wildlife wonders”

THE weather stepped in to disrupt matters when the Risley Moss Action Group (RIMAG) hosted “Wildlife Wonders” at Birchwood Shopping Centre.
The day started warm and sunny – but some gusts of wind interrupted proceedings around midday.
Among other groups at the event were the Carbon Landscape Partnership, Warrington Nature Conservation Forum, Friends of Gorse Covert Mounds, Friends of Birchwood Forest Park, Friends of the Walled Garden, Birchwood Plant and Seed Swap, Birchwood Hedgehog Rescue and Wild Wings of Prey.
The first casualty was the Hedgehog Rescue gazebo that was blown over and had to be dismantled. Ironically hedgehogs are an endangered species, but it was the lovely hand-made ones that needed to be rescued.
They were available for adoption at £5.
The second gust hit the next-door Friends of Gorse Covert gazebo a frog dip game was being enjoyed. The frogs took fright and dived below the water line.
Jenny Griggs, Carbon Landscapes community engagement co-ordinator said: “No sooner had we rescued the hogsthan our gazebo flipped over backwards. We realised that the best way to stabilize it was remove the sides because they were acting like sails and carried on without further incident.”
Geoff Settle, Warrington Nature Conservation Forum chairman said: “We were sharing Jenny’s gazebo and our identification leaflets and books were scattered. The books are written by Rob Smith, local author and ecologist, about the birds and amphibians of Risley Moss.
“Rob is selling his books and donating the proceeds to a RIMAG fund that will go towards the costs of a replacement for the observation tower that was burnt down. A model of the replacement was on display at the RIMAG table.
“We are pleased to have achieved our main objective of raising people’s awareness about the variety of wildlife in Birchwood and how to get involved.”