Greater Manchester Wildlife Groups

[Sodfoster]

Hi Guys

Just wondering if anyone had any information on any wildlife groups in the Greater Manchester area? I live in Chorlton cum hardy and just wondered if there is anything going on in my local area. Things like mammal, bat, bird, amphibian, insect, wild flower etc...(I could go on here lol). I dont have a huge amount of time on my hands but would be intrested in getting involved with any surveys, counts, projects that are on going. I would also be happy just to meet up with other like minded people and discuss the local enviroment and species that we have in our area.

Cheers

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Sodfoster

Hi Guys

Just wondering if anyone had any information on any wildlife groups in the Greater Manchester area? I live in Chorlton cum hardy and just wondered if there is anything going on in my local area. Things like mammal, bat, bird, amphibian, insect, wild flower etc...(I could go on here lol). I dont have a huge amount of time on my hands but would be intrested in getting involved with any surveys, counts, projects that are on going. I would also be happy just to meet up with other like minded people and discuss the local enviroment and species that we have in our area.

Cheers

If you put Gt Manchester Birding in your search engine a couple of sites come up then there is the county bird recorder and her site and locally to us the Leigh Ornithological Society. From doing the rounds as a slideshow lecturer I know there are local bird clubs all around you and your local Library will or should have details of them - and many that I used to go to were RSPB groups - so pressume a list of groups for the Manchester area could be obtained via them. The is a South Lancashire Bat Group which I haven't searched for - but assume it will be there in an internet search. And local arms of the Wildlife Trusts - Lancashire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire could all be looked for and again a list from the head office should be forthcoming tho I suspect many will have their own websites if you can just drop on them at random.

Good Luck
Pauline

[Tracey.A]

If you are interested in Bats, then Bat Conservation Trust would be a good place to start. Just type the name in your search engine and it will bring their web site up. Hopefully there will be some local bat groups and they always seem to be looking for volunteers

Tracey

[Tursiops2]

All the above plus check your Local Authority website - Ipswich Park Rangers (for example) hold regular events and volunteer days. Might be something similar in your area, could be a good starting point.
T2

[Linz]

Hiya!
I just moved to chorlton too and have been looking for pretty much exactly the same thing. Have you had any luck finding a good wildlife group in the area? I studied zoology in Australia and Im interested in learning as much as I can about the local wildlife while im living around here.
Cheers
Linz

[poschiavanus]

There are also long-standing organisations like The Manchester Field Club, and the North-West Naturalists Union. Both organise quite a range of regular field meetings: particularly good if you want to get to grips with various plants, fungi and insects. From my experience the former are a friendly bunch and not too intimidating to the non-expert.

HTH,

Posch

[hazelthecrow]

Hello, if you are still interested in surveying, Im working on a project with British Waterways to try and map the spread of invasive plants on the Manchester canal system. Theres free training involved! - heres the blurb:

The project involves practical surveying for invasive plant species, such as Japanese Knotweed and Floating Pennywort, which can then be mapped and positive management can be implemented. No previous experience of surveying or species ID is required to become involved in the project – all the training and equipment will be provided!!

We are hoping to run our first training day on Wednesday the 8th of December, with Wednesday 14th also being a possible date. All you need to bring with you is sturdy footwear, a waterproof jacket, packed lunch and a pencil. Training will include Health & Safety, species ID, GPS training and time to practise your skills.

The training will most likely take place on the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal, with the exact location to be confirmed. The training will start at 10am and finish between 3 and 4pm. We will, of course, provide tea, coffee and biscuits to keep you going!

If you are interested in this opportunity (even if you can’t attend either of the above dates) please let us know and we can confirm the location. Email Kate.statham@britishwaterways.co.uk

cheers, Hazel :-)

[doggit]

this place is not far from chorlton Welcome to Gatley Carrs Conservation group
have a look and get involved
carl

[diggleken]

All good advice, Pauline is a local genius, her book north west nature can still be found, she wouldnt blow her own trumpet. get a copy and do it.
Try approaching birders at Sale water park for advice/help on local groups.
See your local library etc for Countryside service events and get stuck in volunteering.
and if you are daft as many of us:
Homepage of the North West Fungus Group
Good luck, report back on WAB.
Cheers
Ken

[PMG]

There are ranger services throughout the Gt M/cr area - I used to work for Wigan RAnger Service - which is now Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Ranger Service. Staff are dwindling at a lot of ranger based places but its worth checking all the authorities around - Chorlton Water Park will have info very close to you, but there still ranger service staff in most of the boroughs and some days and events going on. Look on the RSPB site for info on local RSPB groups - they have events and lectures, days out and volunteer work parties in some instances.

Pauline

PS Thanks Ken for plugging my book - its like me old now - but the places and info remains more or less the same