WORLD WETLANDS DAY
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Designated sites are called RAMSAR Sites and today there are over 2,200 Ramsar Sites across 169 countries, covering more than 2.1 million square kilometres. That’s a lot of protected wetland!
The term Wetlands covers any area of land which is wet, either occasionally or permanently including saltmarshes, rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps and mosslands etc. Wetlands are a critical part of our natural environment as they protect our shores from wave action, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and improve water quality. They provide habitat for animals and plants and many contain a wide diversity of life.
The term Wetlands covers any area of land which is wet, either occasionally or permanently including saltmarshes, rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps and mosslands etc. Wetlands are a critical part of our natural environment as they protect our shores from wave action, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and improve water quality. They provide habitat for animals and plants and many contain a wide diversity of life.
The theme for this year is "Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future". The areas around the River Mersey are largely urban but a large proportion of the River Mersey is now designated as a RAMSAR site. The Mersey Estuary is a Special Protected Area as it is home to thousands of birds of European and International importance. (see Mersey WeBS page). These sites are vital for Liverpool, Cheshire and Europe’s wildlife!
More importantly to The Friends of Pickerings Pasture and any visitors to the area is that Hale Marsh, the area of salt-marsh seen from the hide at Pickerings Pasture, is part of the RAMSAR site, giving it extra protection.
More importantly to The Friends of Pickerings Pasture and any visitors to the area is that Hale Marsh, the area of salt-marsh seen from the hide at Pickerings Pasture, is part of the RAMSAR site, giving it extra protection.
But the whole of the area around Hale and Halebank is of SPECIAL IMPORTANCE to wildlife as it holds several species on the RED DATA list of birds for special protection. There are also several on the Amber list too. As mentioned above, many of the birds visiting Hale Marsh and the surrounding areas are of International Importance, both as winter visitors and as breeding birds.
Although much of our data is based on the birdlife, never forget that the area is also of great importance for other species. Butterflies, moths and dragonflies do well here together with a range of other insects that I know little about. A good selection of scarce wildflowers, grasses, ferns, fungus and lichens are to be found here too. We are in a wonderful area: let's keep it that way by protecting our special sites and green spaces.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WORLD WETLANDS DAY 2018 Visit: RAMSAR
Although much of our data is based on the birdlife, never forget that the area is also of great importance for other species. Butterflies, moths and dragonflies do well here together with a range of other insects that I know little about. A good selection of scarce wildflowers, grasses, ferns, fungus and lichens are to be found here too. We are in a wonderful area: let's keep it that way by protecting our special sites and green spaces.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WORLD WETLANDS DAY 2018 Visit: RAMSAR
MERSEY ESTUARY
Mersey Estuary. 20/12/95; England; 5,033 ha; 53°20'N 002°54'W. Special Protection Area, SSSI. A large, sheltered estuary comprising large areas of saltmarsh and intertidal sand and mudflats. The site includes brackish marsh, rocky shoreline, and cliffs set in a rural and industrial environment. Internationally important numbers of various species of waterbirds feed and roost at the site in winter, or stage at the site in spring and fall, notably Ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula). Human activities include livestock grazing, hunting, industrial activities. Ramsar site no. 785. Most recent RIS information: 1999.
Learn more on the RSIS website
Mersey Estuary. 20/12/95; England; 5,033 ha; 53°20'N 002°54'W. Special Protection Area, SSSI. A large, sheltered estuary comprising large areas of saltmarsh and intertidal sand and mudflats. The site includes brackish marsh, rocky shoreline, and cliffs set in a rural and industrial environment. Internationally important numbers of various species of waterbirds feed and roost at the site in winter, or stage at the site in spring and fall, notably Ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula). Human activities include livestock grazing, hunting, industrial activities. Ramsar site no. 785. Most recent RIS information: 1999.
Learn more on the RSIS website