Heronwatch
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Heronwatch Volunteer Day
Saturday 20th February - 11am to 3.30pm
Do you like People and Wildlife?
Come along to the Boathouse House Visitor Centre in Ellesmere and find out about becoming a volunteer with Heronwatch.
What is Heronwatch?
Heronwatch is a unique project to help visitors learn about the herons living on Heron Island at The Mere in Ellesmere. The birds first nested on the island about forty years ago and each year they return to take up their nest sites in the trees.
Watch heron chicks though live film footage!
Visitors can watch live close-up footage of the nesting birds and hatching chicks through powerful video cameras fixed in the trees which focus directly into the nests. The cameras can be individually controlled to zoom in on the nest action from inside the Visitor Centre at the Boathouse.
What’s that bird doing? Ask a Heronwatch volunteer!
Heronwatch Volunteers are on hand inside the Visitor Information Centre in spring, to talk about the habits of these remarkable birds and explain bird behaviour such as ‘snap displays’ and ‘stretch’ displays. Did you know that a heron's legs turn from pink to orange during courtship ?.
Why not become a Heronwatch Volunteer?
The heart of Heronwatch is a friendly team of dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers who talk to visitors about the herons and nest activity. Volunteers also monitor the nest sites and keep records on activities such as egg hatching.
To be a Heronwatch volunteer you don’t need any prior knowledge or experience, just an interest in wildlife and enjoy talking to people!
There are no set hours, you can sign up for as little as a few hours to a few days over the Heronwatch period, whatever suits you.
If you would like to discuss becoming a volunteer please contact The Mere Community Development Officer on 01691 624301.
How can I keep in touch with Heronwatch 2010?
Keep visiting this page during the project to see updates on the 'Heronwatch Diary '
How can I find out more about Heronwatch?
- Visiting the BBC web page through the link below
- Listen to a live interview with Ellesmere Ranger, Lynne Dean by clicking on the link to the Wood Lane Nature Reserve.
- Download Heronwatch annual reports from the archive
Contact Information :
Please contact The Mere Community Development Officer at Shropshire Council Outdoor Recreation Service on 01691 624301.