Wirral Countryside Volunteers

About Us

Established in 1985 we are involved in approximately a dozen different sites a year, mainly within the "Wirral Hundred", sometimes further afield.

The WCV work in close association with the local Wildlife Trust on their reserves at New Ferry Butterfly Park and the ancient woodland of Thornton Wood. We work with Wirral Ranger Service on lowland heath restoration projects and woodland craft demonstrations. In south Wirral we work with the ranger service there, mainly hedge laying along the Wirral Way. We work with friends groups and occasionally private bodies.

We work about twice a month meeting on either a Saturday or Sunday with more frequent events in the winter season.

Tasks start at 9.30 a.m. until 3 or 4 p.m. There is often an apres task at the local hostelry and there are impromptu socials throughout the year.

What we do

Forthcoming Events

A current listing of events can be found on our Facebook page.

There is no need to book: you can find an event from the programme and just turn up. An email or phone call is useful, however, so we can look out for you.

What we do

Pond restoration - removal of willow and reed-mace
Lowland heath restoration - removal of birch and gorse
Hazel coppicing - producing woodland craft and allotment materials and hedging stakes and to benefit the spring flowers
Meadow management - cutting grasslands with scythes to enhance the wildflowers
Hedge laying - one of the groups favourite activities and for the keen participation in local hedge laying competitions
Woodland craft demonstrations - gate hurdle making
Tree/Hedgerow planting - the group has a tree nursery growing trees of local providence
Annual residential
Visits to wildlife sites and evening walks
Bonfires, BBQ and fresh tea at some sites, check events programme

What to bring

Bring a packed lunch, boots, working gloves and water proofs. What's in it for you? Fresh air, exercise, discover some new talents, learn some natural history and spend a day with like-minded people.

Our Effect

2.5 km of Wirral's hedgerow restored by layering or planting. Some of the group are award-winning hedge layers!
At Thornton Common sycamores have been removed, marginal pond side vegetation has recovered and great crested newts are starting to breed
An active hazel coppice system: benefitting the spring flowers, providing hedging stakes and woodland craft materials
Success with growing black poplar from seed and success in propagating mistletoe
Creating wildflower rich grassland by turf removal at New Ferry Butterfly Park benefitting common blue butterfly and bee orchids
Development of pollarding regimes for willows and oaks, producing veteran trees of the future
Several awards and many grants