Latest news with #WildlifeTrust
Yahoo
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Walk the stunning Bolton trail leading to the 'jewel of our rivers'
The Kingfisher is said to be one of nature's more elusive birds. In recent days The Bolton News Camera Club has featured a number of sightings of the beautiful bird in the borough. The difficulty in spying one lends it an almost mythic status, which is highly appropriate since it inspired a number of classical myths. The Wildlife Trust of Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Kingfisher Trail will increase the chances of spotting one of these jewel-like birds, writes Neil Brandwood. This 20-year labour of love is scenic 14-mile route connecting the rural West Pennine Moors to the centres of Bury, Bolton and Salford. Working with community groups and dedicated organisations, the Trust has, and continues to, revive sites along the trail. READ MORE: Kingfisher sightings across Smithills and Bolton borough A new pathway takes people to a hidden Bolton beauty spot A spokesperson said: 'This project is all about sharing, whether knowledge, resources or expertise, to better manage the route and improve it for both people and nature. 'We want the Kingfisher Trail to be one of the most important areas in Greater Manchester for people to engage with nature, learn about their local heritage and have fun with their families, friends and communities.' The trail connects sites including Ringley Woods, Philips Park, Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, Moses Gate Country Park, Leverhulme Park and Upper Bradshaw Valley Nature Reserve. The trail was originally set up by the Croal-Irwell Valley Ranger Service in the early 1990s to highlight the incredible abundance of wildlife reclaiming a once industrial valley. Following the disbanding of this service the Trust is re-establishing the trail as a way of focusing attention on this key living landscape which nowadays an army of passionate volunteers and community groups help the local authorities to manage the sites and run a range of events across the valley The Wildlife Trust of Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside has created a downloadable map and guide to The Kingfisher Trail. It has also produced a guide to the art and sculptures top discover on the trail. To find out more, and to download the guides, visit target="_blank">work/projects/kingfisher-trail Moses Gate Country Park. Picture by Mike Gregson Sights on the King Fisher Train include Bradshaw Hall, Rock Hall Firwood Fold Meccano Bridge, The Kingfisher Trail is home to a wide range of wildlife species and provides a recreation resource which the trust says is important for the region's people, wildlife and heritage. While exploring the trail in the hope of getting a glimpse of the majestic Kingfisher, look out for dippers, grey wagtails, herons. In the woods nuthatches, treecreepers and great-spotted woodpeckers are regularly seen clinging to the mighty trees, while buzzards circle overhead and sparrowhawks flash through the branche sin the Upper Bradshaw Valley Local Nature Reserve Longsight Park is home to home to a wonderful arboretum. Spot the four key water birds - dipper, grey wagtail, grey heron and the' jewel of our rivers', the kingfisher in Longsight Park. The walk also takes in Seven Acres Local Nature Reserve, Leverhulme Park Local Nature Reserve, Darcy Lever Gravel Pits Moses Gate Country Park and Nob End Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Ringley Woods by Steheffphotography Ringley Woods is also part of the trail and an absolute must to visit. The trust says that much of Ringley Woods is classed as ancient and is home to all the wildlife you would expect to find in an ancient woodland — treecreepers and nuthatches, and listen out for the calls of buzzards, sparrowhawks and tawny owls among the towering clusters of sycamore, willow and English oak trees.
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Why are these scientists trying to collect dolphin poo?
When you think of dolphins frolicking in the sea, you may be picturing a warm, sunny, tropical island somewhere. But did you know there are around 200 bottlenose dolphins living in Cardigan Bay just off the coast of Wales? Well, scientists have been studying the pod of dolphins for years, but they have come up with a new way to learn more about them. By studying their poo. The team of conservationists funded by the Nature Networks Fund in collaboration with Aberystwyth University are trying to learn more about the dolphin's relationships and movement patterns. They are therefore attempting to collect poo samples from as many dolphins in Cardigan Bay as possible using nets after the marine creatures do their 'business'. They will then be able to send the poo to Aberystwyth University to be analysed to help understand what they have been feeding on and therefore, where they are getting their food from. With enough data (poo), they will also be able to build individual profiles for each dolphin and perhaps even find similarities between biological family members. But the poop isn't the only thing they will be looking closely at. They will also attempt to match the samples with photo identification records of the dolphins gathered on camera by members of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Sarah Perry, the trust's marine conservation and research manager, said she hoped the study would "unravel the mysteries of bottlenose dolphin ecology in Cardigan Bay"."This project covers an area of research that we have aspired to embark on over the past decade or so, and we are excited that it has come to fruition at a time when it is even more important that we build on our knowledge of the species in the waters around us."
BBC News
7 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Cardigan Bay bottlenose dolphin mysteries to be solved by collecting poo
Conservationists are hoping to learn about a group of bottlenose dolphins that make their home in Welsh waters - by studying their 200 bottlenose dolphins are said to live in and around Cardigan Bay and, although they have been studied for several years, experts want to learn more about their relationships, breeding potential and movement of samples will help them to understand what they have been feeding on and where and help build individual profiles for each will also attempt to match the samples with photo identification records of the dolphins gathered on camera by members of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. The trust secured funding for the project from the Welsh government's Nature Networks Fund in collaboration with Aberystwyth samples will be gathered by net after the dolphins defecate and then analysed by university scientists using techniques to extract detailed data about the animals' diet using environmental DNA (eDNA).Sarah Perry, the trust's marine conservation and research manager, said she hoped the study would "unravel the mysteries of bottlenose dolphin ecology in Cardigan Bay"."This project covers an area of research that we have aspired to embark on over the past decade or so and we are excited that it has come to fruition at a time when it is even more important that we build on our knowledge of the species in the waters around us."
Sky News
25-05-2025
- Science
- Sky News
What do dolphins get up to beneath the waves? Their poo has the answers
Scientists are turning detective to work out what British dolphins are up to beneath the waves - by using forensic-style DNA techniques on their poo. Conservationists have been studying the 250 or so bottlenose dolphins living in Cardigan Bay, west Wales, over many decades. Up to now, they have only been able to observe the dolphins as they surface to breathe or play, identifying the animals from the unique marks on their dorsal fins to establish which animals were hanging out together and where. But now for the first time scientists are using DNA excreted by the dolphins in their poo to build a more complete picture of their lives. It allows them to identify the sex of individuals and how they are related to other animals. Signficantly, it also shows what the dolphins have been eating. Dr Sarah Perry, marine conservation manager at The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, said: "In order to be able to conserve them, we need to know why they're here and a big a missing part of that is, what they're feeding on. "Is that changing at different times of the year? Are certain species of fish more important to them early on in the year, in the spring, and the summer months, and then does that change over the autumn and winter months? "Are certain species important for younger animals? We don't know that, so that kind of information, we need to find out." Catching dolphin poo involves a large element of luck. The animals occasionally eject a cloud of waste material as they swim. But it quickly sinks, so the scientists' boat needs to be close enough for them to scoop it out of the sea with a fine-meshed net. A sample is then sent to a lab at the University of Aberystwyth, where DNA is extracted for analysis. Dolphins adapting to effects of climate change Results so far suggest the dolphins are having to adapt to a change in fish species as the water warms. Dr Niall McKeown, a marine biologist at the university, said: "We are seeing large amounts of sardine, sprat, and anchovy. "This is quite interesting because these are species that are known to have increased in abundance in Welsh waters in recent years in response, we believe, to climate change." Scientists unsure why dolphin numbers are falling But questions remain about the dolphins. The number in Cardigan Bay seems to be falling, but scientists are not sure whether that's a natural cycle or a response to other factors. Boat noise and disturbance from some fishing activities, such as scallop dredging, could impact the animals, which rely on sound to communicate.
Time Out
20-05-2025
- General
- Time Out
An urgent snake warning has been issued for parts of the UK – here's how it affects London
If you're afraid of snakes, we're afraid it's not good news. An urgent warning about venomous vipers has been issued across the country, with people being urged to keep their eyes peeled for the reptiles. Before you get hissterical, Britain has been home to one type of venomous snake for years. A new species hasn't arrived, but they have been on the rise in 2025. What snakes have been spotted? There's been an increase in sightings of adders (AKA the common European viper) around the UK recently, with the slippery fellas spotted in the south of England, Cornwall and Wales. Sightings have led to local police forces issuing statements warning locals about the animals. Are they dangerous? While adders are poisonous, their bites are very rarely lethal to humans. The snakes are also known to be shy and secretive, meaning they rarely approach people. The Wildlife Trust said: 'The adder is the UK's only venomous snake but its venom is generally of little danger to humans. An adder bite can be painful and cause inflammation, but is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old.' The reptiles can also cause harm to dogs, so its best to keep a close eye on furry friends when out for walks. Adders are often found in basking in long grassy areas. They don't often approach pets and are known for hiding or playing dead, but they do bite if startled. The snakes can live up to 15 years and measure up to 80 cm in length. Where have snakes been sighted in London? Before Londoners breath a sigh of relief assuming this doesn't affect them, think again. Adders have been identified in the capital. A project commissioned by English Nature on behalf of the London Biodiversity Partnership's Reptiles Species Action Plan found the snake to be present throughout Greater London. While the capital's adder population is small, they are here, mainly living in 'woodland edges, grasslands and particularly heathland habitats or brownfield sites where they look for their favoured rodent prey'. So while you're unlikely to spot one slithering in your garden, you could spot one in one of London's parks or natural habitats.
