The annual mowing regime at New Ferry Butterfly Park starts in July when it is hoped to mow the BBQ area and some of the over grown path edges before noon, before visitors arrive and in the afternoon venture into Charlie’s Field for further mowing.   The BBQ meadow has responded well to scything with an increase in red clover. Charlie’s Field has responded well also being surprisingly colonised by 160 or so Cowslips.  Please park locally as there is only blue badge parking at the park that day.  

Our last evening event will be at Brimstage Hall Orchard working with Wirral Tree Wardens, weeding the layered hedge which is now smothered with cleavers. Clearing the hedge should allow another six weeks for regrowth to come through.

At Thornton Common both the ride and glade will be scythed to benefit the March Orchids and Bee Orchids which flowered earlier in the season.  The wooden entrance gate will be oiled to preserve it and the eastern hedge weeded.

In September, at the butterfly park, there will scything of the BBQ grassland. Bramble will be removed along the base of the sanctuary area to create easier access for coppicing later in the season. This will be followed by an end of season BBQ party at 4pm with NFBP volunteers in join in.  

The first hedgelaying   event of the season will be at Eastham Country Park on a hedge   near the Eastham Ferry Hotel, just south of the entrance to Eastham gardens where the triumphal arch used to be.

There will be a group meal and meeting at the John Masefield Public House.  This is a chance to socialise and contribute to future projects and the direction of the group as well as a catch up with other members.

In October the aromatic calcareous grassland at the butterfly park will be scythed to benefit Cowslips, Marsh Orchids and Marjoram. The coppicing season starts here on the Embankment Coppice in the sanctuary area.  Further hazel stools will be established by laying and planting to extend the coppice further up the slope. Primroses have been flourishing under this coppice regime.  We will establish some Violets in the embankment coppice area too.  Hedge laying will continue on the upper level.

There will be a coppicing event at Eastham Country Park under the pylons. Meet at Warren Lane Car Park CH62 3QQ by Port Sunlight RUFC. The sweet chestnut was last coppiced six years ago so should be an ideal hedge stake size.  

The 16th WCV Cheshire Style hedge laying training day will be on venue and hedge to be confirmed, save the date.   

Mid-November at the butterfly park sees the second cut of Charlie’s Field to crop nutrients further. Bramble will be removed from the corner by the height barrier.    Charlie’s Field is becoming a good area for butterflies with Small Coppers, Common Blues, Skippers and Meadow Brown butterflies frequently recorded there. Coppicing the embankment will carry on too, as well as improving access to the coppices in the sanctuary area.  Hedge laying continues on the upper level and one or two oaks will be pollarded.

Where

Event

Meeting Point

Time

October 2022

Thursday 6th

New Ferry

Group Meal

Group Meeting

Group Social

John Masefield, Public House, New Ferry

19.00

20.00

21.00

Sunday 9th

New Ferry Butterfly Park

Scything acid grassland,  coppicing & hedge laying

Butterfly Park

beside Bebington Station Car Park

09:30

Saturday 22nd

Eastham Country Park

Sweet Chestnut Coppicing  

Port Sunlight RUFC,

Warren Road,

CH62 JQT

09:30

November 2022

Saturday 5th

Venue to be confirmed

16th WCV Cheshire style free hedgelaying Training Day. When confirmed, please book Eventbrite or with Paul on jpl@liv.ac.uk

Meeting point to be confirmed

09:30

Sunday 13th

New Ferry

Butterfly Park

Scything Charlie’s Field, coppicing & hedge laying

Butterfly Park

beside Bebington Station Car Park

09:30