August - Thoughts from the North!
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WildAid is privileged to have the support of our amazing northern Trustee Charlie Pass who works really hard for our charity. This month I asked him to share his thoughts and to let us all know about the fantastic wildlife and people that he is involved in and around Lancashire. And so, in his own words…
Tails from Up North - Charlie The exciting thing about the natural environment is the unpredictability that it can often bring. The dramatic changes in the climate here on the Lancashire coast are fascinating. I would like to share this with you. Only several days ago I was enjoying a run across two moderate fells. The views, as you may notice from the photograph to the right, were stunning clear. Believe it or not the backdrop to the photograph is the Isle of Man, some 80 miles away out across the Lancashire floodplains and Irish Sea. Today, it is homework, coffee and cake weather! Rain, raining soggy sponges rain …….. yet I know down on the Lancashire coast it is likely to be totally tropical.
It can be quite perplexing! However I do tell myself that it is the wet stuff that gives us our very green, pleasant land and thriving wildlife. Before I can share with you what news I can bring for you from Wildaid up North, I would like to share with you some stunning wildlife sightings: A family of 5 stoats darting below a thick hawthorn hedgerow, a definite sighting of a Kingfisher on the River Wyre and who knows, but I am convinced, of the call of an Otter along the river. A favourite was a young Tawny Owl calling from a small woodland. Identifying wildlife by call can be equally exciting as by sight. You definitely know that wildlife is there despite not getting a positive view, and even if you are unsure what it is you are listening to, you can always have fun by forming an image of what it could look like, until you are absolutely sure.
Wildaid is an important part of my life. For several reasons: it totally enthuses me to know that I am hopefully able to encourage people to enjoy the work Wildaid does and to continue to participate and support Wildaid’s causes. The hard work and commitment, that is the Wildaid team, I have not experienced for a long long time. My friends and colleagues are very dear to me. The passion and drive that they all have makes it an absolute delight to be involved with Wildaid. If this is the first time you have found us then congratulations. I hope you will have an exciting and fulfilling time with us. For those of you who have already participated on Wildaids activities and know of us, then I hope you will continue to enjoy our work and spread our word to your friends and family.
Alston Hall
Sunday 19th June saw Wildaid attend the Summer Fair at Alston Hall with other stall holders including food, craft and garden. Charlie took Wildaid merchandise and information to the Summer Fair reporting back with - a successful day! Over 200 visitors attending the Wildaid stall showed a keen interest in our work. Alston Hall is a Victorian country house overlooking the beautiful Ribble Valley and is owned and maintained by Lancashire County Council and is part of Lancashire Adult Learning.
Wildaid at Wyre Estuary Country Park
Sixty children thoroughly enjoyed an enthralling mini-beast habitat survey at the Wyre Estuary Country Park, Stanah, Lancashire. Lead by Charlie, children and staff from St Johns Catholic Primary School, Poulton-Le-Fylde took part in fun, adventurous workshops to discover what mini-beasts live in the parks woodlands. Youngsters and teachers physically exploring the woodlands, making observations and having fun was an absolute delight to see. Some of the teachers braved even the biggest spiders!
to be in the area please do find us and come and say hello. We would love to see you.
Dawn and the WildAid Team
