Cool Seas Roadshow

presented by Andy Starbuck of the Marine Conservation Society A Marine Week event in association with the Wildlife Trusts

Friday 17th August 10.00 - 4.30

The Cool Seas Roadshow is a spectacular initiative from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) to raise public awareness of the wonderful wildlife to be found in our cool UK seas. Tropical waters and coral reefs get all the publicity but our cold ('temperate') seas are filled with an equally exciting range of animal and plant life. This project enables you to get up close to life size models of whales, sharks, seals, and other animals that live along our coastline. There will also be the opportunity to get your nets wet and do some rock pool exploring and as the tide rises we will be looking for the seals and porpoises that are regular visitors to Blackpool's shores.

Come and enjoy the Marine family fun days with Lancashire Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers. Sea life activities for all ages from fish-a- grams to run around games, making your own marine fortune teller or having your face painted. Learn about life under the sea and lots more.

See the Roadshow exhibition then explore the beach and sea.
10.00 - 11.00 Explore the rock pools of Blackpool's South Beach - meet at the Solaris Centre. Bring a net and bucket.
12.30 - 2.30pm Porpoise Watch as the tide rises - meet at the Solaris Centre. bring binoculars if you have them.

Time: Saturday 4th August - 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (arrival and leaving times from West Kirby)
Activity: Marine Mammal Survey Event
Venue: Hilbre Island Ranger Station, Wirral Metropolitan Borough, Cheshire
Host: Cheshire Wildlife Trust

This event is designed to introduce you to UK marine mammal species and methods used for conducting marine mammal surveys. The talks and practical session will be led by experienced marine scientist and surveyor; Nia Jones of the North Wales Wildlife Trust and Marine Action North Wales.

Our venue for the workshop is Hilbre Island Local Nature Reserve (LNR), Wirral.

Please bring sensible clothes for the prevailing weather, plenty of drinking water and a packed lunch. Waterproofs are recommended in case the weather becomes inclement. Stout footwear for the hour-long walk over to Hilbre Island, over muddy sands, is recommended – walking boots or ‘wellies’ are most sensible but please decide yourself, based on your own comfort.

Binoculars and telescopes, for those that own them will be useful if brought along.

Marine Mammal ID Guides or relevant texts you have will also be of use on the day.

The event starts at 12:00 noon on Saturday 4^th August 2007. The training event will finish by 5:00 p.m. – you may NOT leave the Island BEFORE 5:30 p.m. There will be time to explore Hilbre Island Local Nature Reserve and follow the nature trail, take photographs and explore the rock pools (but not remove anything therein) after the training event finishes.

It takes about an hour to walk across from West Kirby, so set off by 11:00 a.m. to ensure you get onto the main island (Hilbre) and to the Ranger Station for 12:00 noon.

Make your own way across to Hilbre Island following the safest, recommended route:

Start from the slipway at Dee Lane, next to the Marine Lake, walk towards Little Eye, the smallest of the three islands, keeping it on your right. As soon as you pass Little Eye turn right and continue on the sand passing Middle Eye on your left. Between Middle Eye and Hilbre take the rough track over the rocks towards the small tidal pool. Once off the rocks turn left towards the gate at the south end of Hilbre. Do not cross direct to Hilbre Island, and do not cross from Hoylake.

For more information on Hilbre Island LNR, visit the website: http://www.wirral.gov.uk/er/hilbre.htm

Cheshire Wildlife Trust accepts no responsibility for people making the crossing – please ensure you are physically capable of making the crossing safely – if you are not mobile, arrangements can easily be made for the Hilbre Island Ranger to collect you from the beach by vehicle – please just let us know in advance.

Parking for cars: there is a pay and display car park in front of the supermarket at West Kirby beach – ensure you bring sufficient small change and give yourself enough time on the ticket for your estimated arrival time back to West Kirby!

Time: Sunday 5^th August, 2.00 p.m. – 4.30 p.m.
Activity: On the Lookout for Harbour Porpoises
Venue: South of Whitehaven, Cumbria. Meet in the car park of the Haig Colliery Mining Museum on Solway Road. OSGB Grid Ref: NX 966 176.
Host: Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Cost: Free
Distance: 50 metres
Grade: Easy

Join us in a shore watch as we look out to sea trying to spot harbour porpoises and other marine life. You will need binoculars and suitable outdoor clothing.

Time: Monday 6^th August Monday 10.30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.
Activity: Shore Search at Earnse Point
Venue: Earnse Point, Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness Borough, Cumbria. Meet at Earnse Point car park, north Walney; OSGB Grid Ref: SD 170 699.
Host: Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Cost: Donation
Distance: 1 mile
Grade: Easy

Exploring and investigating seashore life, rocks and pools, including birds and seashore plants. Voluntary donation on the day. Organised by Kirkby Lonsdale Local Support Group.

Time: Tuesday 7th August, 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Activity: Seal watch and rock pooling
Host: Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Venue: Hilbre Island, off the coast at West Kirby, Wirral.
Contact: Jan Shone or Gill Bellairs. Tel 01948-822 228 or email watchevents@cheshirewt.cix.co.uk for more details or Book Here 

This trip has always been a popular one for families. The group leaves the slipway at West Kirby at low tide (10:30 a.m.) and walks the two miles across the sands to Hilbre Island. Hundreds of seals are hauled out on the sand banks of the River Dee Estuary at this time of year and can be seen clearly with the help of a telescope. Many more swim around to the end of the island where you may get closer to them. The day will include a seaside scavenger hunt, rock pool dipping, bird and seal watching.
Not suitable for children under 5 years.

Time: Wednesday 8^th August, 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
Event: Rockpool Ramble
Venue: Parton Beach, north of Whitehaven, Cumbria
Meet in car park by tunnel – nearest to the village hall and the school. (there are two other car parks by tunnels in the village, this is the middle one.) GR NX 977 206.
Host: Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Cost: £2.00
Distance: 1 mile
Grade: Moderate; footing may be uneven and slippery

Wear suitable footwear and outdoor clothing.

Join us poking around rockpools and under seaweed, learning about anemones, crabs and periwinkles.

Event: Walk the Shoreline
Time: Wednesday 8th August, 1.00 p.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Venue: Starting at Half Moon Bay, Heysham, Lancaster City District, Lancashire
Host: The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside

Starting at Half Moon Bay north of the Heysham power stations and walking over Heysham Head (National Trust) down on to the shore and walking further north - then retracing our steps as we explore the fascinating shoreline wildlife. Led by Phil Dykes and David Dunlop.

Event: Cool Seas Roadshow!

The Cool Seas Roadshow is a spectacular new initiative by the Marine Conservation Society to raise public awareness of the wonderful marine wildlife in our cool UK seas.  Tropical waters and coral reefs get all the publicity, but our cold ('temperate') seas are filled with an equally exciting range of animal and plant life.

This project enables adults and children to get up-close and personal with life-size and life-like models of whales, dolphins, sharks, giant turtles, seals and porpoises - all animals resident in the seas around us.

Hosted by The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, the roadshow will tour our coastline for five days in August.  Booking is not required, except for the Special Events on Friday 17^th August.

Time: Monday 13^th August, 11:00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Venue: Jubilee Park, Cleveleys, Wyre Borough, Lancashire

Also featuring ‘Touch Tanks’ with rockpool wildlife.

Time: Tuesday 14^th August, 11:00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Venue: Ainsdale Centre, Southport, Sefton Borough, Merseyside

Time: Wednesday 15^th August, 11.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Venue: RSPB Ribble Discovery Centre, Fairhaven near Lytham, Fylde Borough, Lancashire

Also featuring ‘Touch Tanks’ with rockpool wildlife.

Time: Thursday 16^th August, 11.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Venue: Marine Hall, Fleetwood, Wyre Borough, Lancashire

Also featuring ‘Touch Tanks’ with rockpool wildlife.

Time: Friday 17^th August, 11:00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Venue: Solaris Centre, Blackpool, Lancashire

The Roadshow’s Grand Finale at Blackpool features these additional Special Events (Booking is advised):

10.00 - 11.00 Explore the Rock Pools of Blackpool's South Beach - meet at the Solaris Centre. Bring a net

and bucket. Led by David McGrath of Blackpool Borough Council.

12.30 - 14.30 Porpoise Watch as the tide rises - meet at the Solaris Centre. Bring binoculars if possible. Led

by David McGrath of Blackpool Borough Council.

Time: Wednesday 22nd August 10.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon

Event: Rock Pooling at Half Moon Bay

Venue: Half Moon Bay, north of the Heysham power stations, Heysham, Lancaster City District, Lancashire

Host: The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside

Bring a net and bucket and go exploring the wildlife in and on the shore. Led by Phil Dykes and David Dunlop.

Contact the Lancashire Wildlife Trust (David Dunlop) for more details of these events – 01772 324129.