Good news....

The prestigious Green Flag has been awarded (again) to the Dales following the inspection panel's visit in July....and take a look at "Country Diary" in yesterday's (21st Sep) Guardian, which is about the Dales!

Guided walk on the Dales

Wirral Heritage Open Days featured Dale Farm and the Dales last Saturday 14th Sep, with Ranger Chris Werney leading a guided walk across the Dales. A good turnout (about 40) of all ages heard Chris describe why the Dales is so special and the work needed to maintain its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Break on through

The volunteers and Rangers have been working to clear unwanted trees and bushes from a quiet part of the Dales, further north from the granite bench and down the slope, revealing a large bank of flowering heather that was previous hidden (and with wonderful views over the Dee). Enjoy!

Bat survey 12th August

On the evening of 12th August Howard Williams of the Bat Conservation Trust led a Bat walk and survey in the Dales. With around 20 in the party, we set off as twilight fell, walking along the horse route and then down towards the Pipers Lane entrance, armed with a number of ultrasonic bat detectors bought by individuals or kindly provided by Thurstaston Country Park. The bats were a little reluctant to appear at first but as the walk progressed we recorded 30 Common Pipistrelle passes - as well as hearing a Tawny Owl and coming across a slightly bemused common frog. An interesting evening was had by all! If anybody would like to take their interest in bats to a further level, you can easily join the Bat Conservation Trust or, better still, the local 'Merseyside & West Lancashire Bat Group for details of other events in this area at https://www.batgroup.org.uk/ or on Facebook.

Dog dirt petition (3)

Look out for a news item in this month's Heswall Magazine appealing to visitors to the Dales to "Bag it and Bin it". The new signage is being installed in the Dales and the council's new policy on enforcement is being developed. Progress is slow but tangible: we continue to monitor and encourage.....

Next steps and other paths

In summer work in the Dales moves to footpath clearance and repair. These volunteers and Ranger Chris have just finished adding some steps to the descent from the Turtle's Head. The volunteers meet every Wednesday at 10.00 at the Ranger's cottage. Join us?

AGM

Our AGM will be held on 28th May 2024 at 7:30 pm and, as in recent years, this will be on-line using Zoom. A link will be sent out to members ahead of the meeting and all are welcome to attend.