Bats in the Dales

The Friends had been conducting a bat survey and planned to install some bat boxes in the Dales when one of our members with a particular interest in and knowledge of bats stepped in to help. He agreed the sites of the bat boxes with the Ranger and very kindly donated five bat boxes which are now installed near the Turtle's Head and near the Birch Steps. Why the need? Modern building techniques mean that available sites for bats to roost in are in decline: we are fortunate that there are still three types of bat in Heswall - the Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle and Noctule. If you have an interest in bats you might consider joining the Bat Conservation Trust va the local group, the Merseyside & West Lancashire Bat Group via www.batgroup.org.uk

Working together

The Friends have been working with Heswall Councillors to draw on Wirral Council's "Working together" fund to purchase materials and equipment to replace the time-expired burning platform: this is essential for disposing of the large amounts of brash generated in managing the heathland (see the last Newsletter). Well done all!

Help the Dales - volunteers needed

The Dales depends on volunteer effort and with the autumn now underway, there's a lot needed to be done. Could you help? Preserve a rare environment, home to a variety of plants, insects, reptiles, birds and small mammals, get physical and mental well-being from open air work with wonderful views over the Dee estuary and get the satisfaction of making a visible difference, working alongside people from a range of background and carrying out a variety of tasks throughout the year. We meet at the Ranger's Cottage every Wednesday at 10.00 and work on until about 15.00 - but if you can only make the morning or afternoon, that's fine too. Contact the Ranger, Chris Werney on 07767474478 or christopherwerney@wirral.gov.uk and find us at Heswall Dales Local Nature Reserve Oldfield Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 6SN

Dog dirt petition

Our dog dirt petition, seeking a much more active enforcement regime and with well over 250 signatures, was presented to Wirral Council on 2nd August and acknowledged by them on 7th August. The reply indictated that our approach was timely, as a review of Council enforcement policy will be taking place this autumn. Let's see how this develops.....many thanks to all who signed and to local councillors for their continuing support.

Green Flag

Heswall Dales has been re-awarded the prestigious Green Flag for 23/24. Well done all (again) - Friends, volunteers and the Wirral Council Thurstaston Country Park team.

Dog dirt in the Dales

Fed up with the amount of dog dirt left in the Dales and the lack of enforcement? We have been busy raising a petition aimed at Wirral Council to encourage some action."We strongly urge Wirral Borough Council to adopt a more robust enforcement policy especially in Nature Reserves designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) where dog excrement is ruinous to the fragile economy." If you support this and haven't already signed please let us know by email to friendsheswalldales@gmail.com and we'll add your email address to the petition. We already have over 200 signatures.

May Newsletter

 Look out for our latest newsletter describing the titanic struggle with Common Gorse on the Dales and what we've done to bring the gorse under control. Go into the Newsletters tab and it's listed under 2023.