The Meres and Mosses Newswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/page/25/news.htmAll the latest goings on in and around the Meres and Mosses area.enWhere wetter is better.www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/88Celebrating International Bog DayPlans for bird hide at Morris's Bridgewww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/87The fields adjacent to Morris's Bridge have become an important site for a variety of bird species.Cumbria BogLIFE Project filmwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/86Watch the Cumbria BogLIFE film, which highlights the bog restoration techniques we are currently using in the Marches Mosses.Marches Mosses Surveywww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/85Tell us what you think about the Marches Mosses.The Carbon Farmer mockumentarywww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/84A new 7-minute film called The Carbon Farmer takes a look at how climate change will change the face of farming. Festive event proves popularwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/82Boglife December Newsletterwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/83Download the latest newsletter from the Boglife teamBack from the brink filmwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/81Eleanor Ryder, placement student at Fenn's Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses produced a short film as part of her final year project. www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/79Drone footage of cleared scrapyardwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/80The clearance of the old Furber's Scrapyard site is now complete. Watch the drone footage below.A new way to record to record wildlifewww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/78Use I-record to record wildlife at Fenns, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses NNR.Rare jumping spider found on Marches Mosses www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/77Lapwings benefit from recent management workwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/76Young lapwings have been caught on camera by local photographer Stephen Barlow.Bog warswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/75Boglife trainee placementwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/74We are looking for trainees for the Marches Mosses BogLIFE project.BogLIFE newsletterwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/73To read the latest BogLIFE, please click on the image below.Harvest mouse haven at Whixallwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/72Boglife and Natural England volunteers lead successful survey for Britain's smallest rodent.MediaMakers projectwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/71Take a look at all the exciting activities that the MediaActive team have been doing via their MediaMakers project!Farm grant applications now closedwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/70To date, 11 projects have benefited from the scheme since it began.Queensway Fields benefit from MMBEN fundingwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/68The Meres and Mosses Landscape Partnership Scheme have been working with Queensway Playing Fields in Whitchurch, an independent charity, to help them reinvigorate their area of green space to make it better for the people that visit it and the wildlife that lives in it.Restoring the Marches Mosseswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/67Fenn's, Whixall & Bettisfield and Wem Moss complex is the third largest lowland raised peatbog in the UK and has been the subject of over 20 years restoration by Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Few people realise that the mosses of North Shropshire are of international importance.Otters make local farm their homewww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/66Winston Farm near Ellesmere has become a wildlife hotspot.Photo competition winners announced!www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/65The winning entries of the first Meres and Mosses Photo Competition were selected at Merefest by members of the public.Enter the Meres and Mosses photography competition!www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/64Shortlisted entries will be judged at Merefest in September.Creative writing in the landscapewww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/63Guest blogger Kirstie Edwards writes about her experiences on the ongoing Creative Writing in the Landscape courses. Update on Nature Improvement Areas report publishedwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/62Our 12 NIAs have now been existence for 3 years and a collective report to illustrate the strides that have been made.Sir John Lawton visits the Meres and Mosseswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/61Professor Sir John Lawton is the man that made England's 12 Nature Improvement Areas possible.Student researching M&M buffer stripswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/60Wendy O'Neill from Liverpool John Moores University is researching how efficient various types of vegetation are at intercepting pollutants being transported from agricultural fields to watercourses and wetlands. First Business Environment Network event heldwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/58The first of the Meres and Mosses BEN meeting took place last week and attracted businesses from afar.Harvest mouse haven at Whixallwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/59Over 60 students joined Meres and Mosses staff for a harvest mouse nest hunt in Whixall.Volunteer februarywww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/57Volunteer this February, there are opportunities all over the Meres and Mosses!Ellesmere Otter Spotterwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/56An otter was spotted and photographed in The Mere last week.Be mesmerized by a murmurationwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/55As the nights draw in this month, starlings begin to gather in their thousands.Business Environment Network gets off to a flying startwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/54The Meres and Mosses Business Environment Network was launched at the Hill Valley Hotel and Spa, Whitchurch this week. Mini mammals thriving at Prees Heathwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/53Prees Heath Common is known as a sanctuary for butterflies, but a recent survey shows its importance for mammals too. New water vole colony found in the Meres and Mosseswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/52The protected species, which is declining elsewhere in the UK is thriving in north Shropshire.Business Environment Network launching in Novemberwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/51New network formed to bring together companies from around the Meres and Mosses area.On the march for white-faced darterswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/50The Meres and Mosses has been involved in an exciting project to raise money for rare dragonflies.Merefest'14 pulls in the crowdswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/49This year's Merefest is the biggest held by the Meres and Mosses yet.Work on Wem Moss completedwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/48Additional piling will prevent further run-off of water from Wem Moss.Share your Meres and Mosses photos on Flickr!www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/47We would love to see your photos of the Meres and Mosses.Meres and Mosses to raise sponsorship for new dragonfly projectwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/46On September 25th, Meres and Mosses Community Officer Luke Neal will set off on a 28 mile journey carrying a willow dragonfly to raise funds for a White-faced darter translocation project.Wem moss works underwaywww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/45This week has seen the start of an exciting project on the internationally important Wem Moss near Bettisfield.Water vole habitat surveys concludewww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/44The year-long study has seen over 70 kilometres of waterway surveyed across the Meres and Mosses. Weaver-Gowy Catchment Partnershipwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/43Partnership aims to alleviate flood risk and improve water quality.Join the Meres and Mosses conversation!www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/42We want to hear your views on the future of the Meres and Mosses at workshops throughout north Shropshire and south Cheshire.Pupils given a taste of the great outdoorswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/40The second White Mere camp took place this month and gave pupils the chance to try their hands at sailing, fishing and to hone their survival skills. Environment Secretary visits Nature Improvement Areawww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/41North Shropshire MP and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Owen Paterson came to look around some of the sites being worked on through the Meres & Mosses Nature Improvement Area and Landscape Partnership Scheme. Dig draws to a closewww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/39Archaeological dig at site near Colemere uncovers evidence of ancient ditches.Open Farm Sunday pulls in the crowdswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/38The ninth annual Open Farm Sunday event took place on Sunday and proved popular with families from all over the Meres and Mosses area.Ellesmere dig gets underwaywww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/37This week has seen the start of an exciting archaeological dig, with the support of Meres and Mosses.The Meres and Mosses on Countryfilewww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/36On 8th May, a film crew and presenters visited Shropshire to film an episode of Countryfile.Water vole survey successwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/35Survey uncovers prime water vole habitat.Rare visitor makes appearance on mereswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/33A rare ring-necked duck has been spotted in three different locations across the Meres and Mosses.Combermere receives first farm grantwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/34The first Meres and Mosses farm grant has been awarded to the Combermere Estate this month.Fun times had by all at The Plantationwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/32On Friday 25th April, The Meres and Mosses team ran a fun-packed day of activities in The Plantation, Ellesmere.Dip Shropshire comes to the Meres and Mosseswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/31Dip Shropshire includes 8 outdoor workshops that link wild swimming and exploration of the Shropshire landscape to a variety of art forms.Prees Heath tower completedwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/30The former WW2 airfield control tower at Prees Heath Common has now been restored to its former glory and has become a home for wildlife.Take the Meres and Mosses Survey!www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/29We want to hear your views on what you think is most special about the Meres and Mosses.2014 survey launchwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/26The 2014 volunteer survey programme has now been set and new volunteers are always welcome to come to join in.Welshampton and Ellesmere Walk and Cycle Weekendwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/28Taking place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th April, the festival includes cycle rides and guided walks suitable for the whole family.Half term events prove to be a great successwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/27Two family events run by Meres and Mosses, Shropshire Wildife Trust and the RSPB attracted over 100 people last week.Volunteers needed!www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/25An exciting opportunity has arisen to volunteer as an event assistant. The Treehunter website now livewww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/24Visit the website to find out all about Rob Mcbride's tree hunting around the UK!Packed schedule of events planned at The Boathousewww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/23Over 20 events will take place at The Boathouse in Ellesmere this year.WILD FUTURE FOR FORMER WAR TOWERwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/22A World War Two RAF control tower will become a home for wildlife as part of a project to preserve the building.Heron Watch Coming Soon!www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/21Ellesmere Heron Watch, based at The Boathouse in Ellesmere runs from 15th Feb to mid-June this year.Meres and Mosses I-Spy Trees Dayswww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/20The first Meres & Mosses I-Spy Tree days took place along the Ellesmere/Llangollen Canal in Shropshire on October 30th and November 23rd last year.Join a work party!www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/18Latest practical work party programmeWhixall Moss at Autumnwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/17Merefest 13www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/16A great day full of fun in the sunshineMereFest13www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/14Come along to MereFest13 IT'S FREE! Get the whole family involved in a range of fun activities, from canoeing and crafts to bungee trampolining and bug hunting! Midlands Today!www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/15Hey we were on the telly!Dry Bog Snorkellingwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/13A huge thank you to everyone who came along to the open day to compete and support the dry bog snorkelling championships.Dry(ish) bog snorkellingwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/12Come and have a go at dry bog snorkelling and lots of other activities on Saturday 3rd August 10am - 3pmWalk and bike weekendwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/11Guided walks and bike rides setting off from Ellesmere and WelshamptonCome out and play this weekendwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/10There are some great events happening this weekend, come along and join in the fun.Habitat surveyors wanted in Cheshirewww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/9Would you like the opportunity to learn more about your local countryside?Shropshire County Showwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/8We had a lovely day making dragonflies in the sunJob Vacancy - Programme Managerwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/7The position of Meres & Mosses Programme Manager is available from July 2013.Whitchurch Walking Festivalwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/4A fantastic first Whitchurch walking festival which included three Meres & Mosses walks.Job Vacancy - Finance & Admin Officerwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/5Interested in working for the Meres & Mosses Team? The position of Finance & Admin Officer is soon to become vacant.Water vole habitat surveyingwww.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/3Water Vole Habitat Survey Training Saturday 25th May Dearnford lake caf, Tilstock road, near Whitchurch. SY13 3JQ Arrive for a 09.30 start. Contact luken@shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk to book as places are limited Water Vole Habitat Surveyors Wanted!www.themeresandmosses.co.uk/news-article/2We would like to hear from you if you are interested in helping us map suitable water vole habitat in the Meres and Mosses area. Training will be provided.