Wildlife spotting in the urban greenery

Aug 23 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

Wildlife spotting in the urban greenery

A CAMPAIGN to reclaim Merseyside’s parks for families and the law-abiding public is being launched with a series of wildlife spotting events.

The programme is designed to encourage people back into the region’s urban green spaces by drawing attention to their vast array of wildlife.

Organisers Merseyside Police hope the scheme will help tackle anti-social behaviour by re-populating the parks.

The SafeSpace campaign follows success BBC’s Springwatch and forthcoming Autumn-watch programmes starring naturalist Bill Oddie.

The varied list of activities include a wildlife walkabout, a chance to discover ancient trees and a “junior rangers” event.

Steve Harris, Mersey-side Police’s wildlife crime officer, said: “Because many of Merseyside’s parks are close to urban areas, some people think there’s not much to look out for in terms of wildlife.

“This couldn’t be further from the truth, with badgers, foxes, owls and many other species being spotted regularly. Even if they are not immediately apparent, signs of their presence can be easily identified.”

PC Harris said the SafeSpace campaign would help draw attention to the police’s role in protecting wildlife.

He added: “There are around 150 different laws designed to protect wildlife in the UK, target-ing the illegal trapping, hunting or disturbing of a wide range of creatures.

“With parks providing essential havens for nearby communities as well as places in which to learn about the natural environment, wildlife protection is a quality of life issue for people as well as the flora and fauna involved.”

The varied list of activities include a wildlife walkabout at Croxteth Country Park on Friday, August 24, starting at 8.30pm; a junior rangers event in Birkenhead Park on August 25 between 11am and 12.30pm; and a chance to discover the ancient trees of Woolton Woods on August 28 at 1pm.

A poll asking the people of Merseyside to vote for their favourite parks is also part of the SafeSpace campaign.

There are six parks to choose from in each of Merseyside’s areas: Knowsley, Wirral, Sefton, North Liverpool, South Liverpool and St Helens.

People have until August 27 to vote and the winner will be announced at the beginning of September.

Anyone wishing to vote for their favourite park should visit www.merseyside.police. uk /safespace

For details of the Wildlife Walkabout event at Croxteth Hall, which costs £3.50, and a Com-munity Fun Day in Fazakerley, call park rangers on 0151 233 6910.

For more information on the walks around Woolton Woods, contact Liverpool’s park rangers on 051 233 3007.

Booking is essential for the junior rangers activity in Birkenhead Park, by calling 0151 652 5197.

alanweston