tree and scrub clearance on the Birkdale Dunes with the help of other ARG Group members. Please contact Mike Brown for further details.

Continuing tree and scrub clearance for improving habitat for sand lizards in the Birkdale area, we will again be joined by two Chainsaw Operators from SWWARG, as well as several members of the South Lancashire ARG. More details later.

Further scrub and tree removal in order to improve habitats for sand lizards. For this task we will be joined by a large contingent from the South Lancashire ARG !

Now that the bird nesting season is commencing, we are restricted to the removal of very invasive Sea Buckthorn and Poplar suckers and regrowth, using hand tools only. For this task, we will be attacking small Poplars and Sea Buckthorn at two sites in Ainsdale which were previously good Sand Lizard sites and will greatly benefit from even this more 'Gardening' type of work.

Natterjack Walks have been organised by Sefton Council and Natural England during the likely period for Natterjack Breeding, as follows :

Friday, 18th April    Natural England - Ainsdale NNR - leader Pete Gahan

Saturday, 19th April   Sefton Council - Hightown?

Friday, 25th April  Sefton Council, meeting at Ainsdale Discovery Centre - leader John Gramauskas

Saturday, 26th April  Natural England - Ainsdale NNR - leader Pete Gahan

For further details, see www.seftonsnaturalcoast.com and www.sefton.gov.uk

Bookings should be made as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment.

Bookings for Sefton Council are on 0151 934 2967 and for Natural England on 01704 578774

We are creating sand patches for Sand Lizards on a long bank overgrown with grass, on a golf course where Sand Lizards formerly existed and have the potential to recolonise, in the Southport area.

Habitat management work for Sand Lizards at Ainsdale. Mainly clearance of invasive Sea Buckthorn , Poplar and other scrub.

Continuation of the scrub and small tree clearance started on the first task in December at Ainsdale, and further scrub and tree clearance at North Bikdale dunes, for the benefit of sand lizards and natterjacks. For this task, we will be joined by members of the South Lancs Amphibian and Reptile Group.

 Anyone wishing to help, please contact Mike Brown by email, at mb001b9658@blueyonder.co.uk

Our third big habitat management weekend of the Winter will take place in an area of old relict dunes close to Ainsdale, when we will again be joined by members of SWWARG, armed with their chainsaws. The aim is to clear trees and scrub, especially Sea Buckthorn, in order to encourage the spread of a small colony of Sand Lizards, as well as benefitting the Common Lizard population there. Anyone interested in joining us, please contact Mike at the email address below.

We are also planning to hold our AGM on the Saturday, after the task.

For our fourth habitat management weekend, in mid-February, 2015, we will be continuing with essential tree and scrub clearance for Sand Lizards and Natterjacks on the Sefton Coast. NMARG will again be assisted by two chainsaw operators from SWWARG for this task. Further details will be given at a later date.