Fenn's, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve 

Events 2009

Tuesday 31^st March       All of a Flutter’.  6.30 p.m.
An illustrated talk on the marvellous moths and beautiful butterflies on the Mosses with Joan Daniels & Pete Boardman.
To be held at the North East Wales Institute, Wrexham as part of the Wrexham Science Festival, (no need to book) www.wrexhamsf.com

26th March - April 4th   Bettisfield Church Mosses Exhibition & Fenn’s Moss Guided Trails.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily
Learn about the wildlife and history of the Mosses through displays and self-guided walks- part of the Wrexham Science Festival. Refreshments, (no need to book) www.wrexhamsf.com

Sunday 26^th April   Birds of the Mosses walk   1:30 for a 2pm start
An afternoon walk on the Mosses with Estelle Hughes and Eric Marsh, volunteers for Natural England, to observe some of the Reserve’s bird species that  thrive on the Mosses. Meet at Manor House NNR Base, Whixall. 

Monday 27th April 
Due to popular demand there will be an additional Birds of the Mosses walk at 2pm on Monday 27^th April led by Pete Bowyer, Natural England.

Sunday 10th May   Water Vole Workshop.  1 p.m.
Visit ‘Ratty’s refuge on the Mosses with Malcolm Monie of the Whitchurch Water Vole Group. Find out about the lifestyles of these increasingly rare  creatures and learn how to look for signs of activity. Meet at Bettisfield Village Hall.

Sunday 24^th May  Amphibian & Reptile Hunt.  9 a.m.
An opportunity to discover the amazing world of amphibians and reptiles on the Mosses with Pete Bowyer, Natural England. Search for them, see where they live and what they need to survive. Meet at Manor House Reserve Base, Whixall.

Saturday 13^th June  Marvellous Moths of the Mosses Walk.  2 p.m.
An afternoon walk with Pete Boardman, Biodiversity Training Officer for the  Field Studies Council, to look for the Argent & Sable & other day-flying moths of the Mosses as part of Wales Biodiversity Week. Meet at Morris’ Bridge, Whixall Moss NNR car park.

Sunday 28^th June  Dazzling Dragonflies & Damselflies Walk  2 p.m.
Enjoy a walk around the Mosses with Emma Broad, of Wrexham County Borough Council, and learn all about the wonderful world of these wetland creatures.
Meet at Manor House Reserve Base, Whixall

Sunday 26^th July   Bogs are Brilliant! 2 p.m.
Gain an insight into the management carried out to help the special wildlife of the Mosses  and how bogs help with climate change, with Joan Daniels, as part of International Bog Day.
Meet at Manor House Reserve Base, Whixall

Friday 14th August     ‘Creatures of the night’  8 p.m.
For the first time ever, join us on a guided tour of the Mosses by night  to see and hear the creatures that come out at night, with John Morgan of the Shropshire Bat Group. Meet at Bettisfield Old Railway Station. Bring your insect repellent!

Sunday 30^st August   Woodcarving Prehistoric Pines on the Mosses Day 11 a.m.
Join David Gerty of the British Woodcarvers Association on this woodcarving workshop to include a walk on the Mosses to search for ancient pine. Meet at Manor House Reserve Base, Whixall

Sunday 6th September  A Peat Cutter’s life 1 p.m.
A stroll around Fenn’s Moss with Bill Allmark, a former peat cutter, to learn how life on the Mosses used to be and why the cutting had to stop. Meet at Bettisfield old railway station.

Sunday 11^th October   Fungal Foray  2 p.m.
An afternoon walk to discover the fabulous fungi on the Mosses with Roy Mantle of the Shropshire Fungus Group. Meet at Fenn’s Bank Lay-by.

Wednesday 11^th November   Why  restore the Mosses?  slideshow 7 p.m. An illustrated talk with Joan Daniels to look at how the restoration of the Mosses can help not only wildlife but you too!  (no need to book)
To be held at the Civic Centre, Whitchurch.

Booking events 

All events are free but due to their popularity it is essential that all events except talks are booked in advance. Booking instructions and details of meeting points will be supplied together with confirmation of your booking. 

For further information about the events and to make a booking please contact Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583 or e-mail: caroline.dahn@naturalengland.org.uk  

Volunteering 

The Fenn’s Volunteering Group meets on the second Sunday and fourth Thursday of each month. For further information on these or other volunteering opportunities contact Joan Daniels on 01948 880362 or e-mail joan.daniels@naturalengland.org.uk  

The Mosses Trails 

The three interlinking self-guided trails explore Fenn’s & Whixall Mosses, starting from Morris’s Bridge NNR car park in Whixall (SJ 493355) (follow the brown ‘Fenn’s & Whixall Mosses NNR’ signs off the main Whitchurch to Ellesmere, Wem to Welshhampton and Wem to Tilstock roads),

 Fenn’s, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses NNR information
To download the NNR leaflet, visit www.naturalengland.org.uk.