Kids create a home in wild

CHILDREN in Macclesfield have helped create hundreds of new homes for wildlife.

Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers, the junior section of The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in East Cheshire, set itself an ambitious target of creating 1,000 new homes for wildlife in and around the town.

They built nest boxes, bug homes and hibernation hotels and they have created wildlife habitats by planting trees and making wildflower seed bombs. As a result the Explorers exceeded their target and made 1,300 homes.

Group leader Tina Hanak said: “Nature is in trouble and one of the best ways we can all help is by providing a little space for wildlife in our own gardens. We have had amazing support in our home building efforts from local schools and community groups – working together to give nature a home.”

The group has also been busy at its annual ‘Nature Needs You’ event at Teggs Nose Country Park which is organised with Cheshire East Countryside Ranger Service and showcases a range of wildlife-themed activities.

Visitors made apple and pine cone bird feeders and had fun making a selection pot of lumpy larvae, wiggly worms and crunchy caterpillars to feed the birds.

Youngsters used freshly harvested lavender flowers to make scented lavender bags. They also concocted wildflower seed bombs from a mix of clay, compost and seeds. Explorers also joined in with a spot of bug hunting, searching out the tiniest of minibeasts sieved from piles of leaf litter.

Many visitors chose from a range of face paint designs and temporary tattoo creations by leader Liz Mayer, and ranger Martin James produced a range of wildlife balloon models.