Walk on the wild side for all ages

The educational wildlife walk around Betton and Norton-in-Hales last Saturday was led by Derek Crawley of the Staffordshire Mammal Group.

Over the course of the three-mile walk the participants, including pupils from Norton-in-Hales CofE Primary School, learned about the wildlife and habitats of the area.

Derek said: "The Staffordshire Mammal group encourages local residents to get out into the open and start identifying species they encounter.

"It is really important for local communities to help support our work by recording what they see no matter how common or widespread the species.

"These records help naturalists and scientists better understand the species and may be ultimately be used in decision-making, education, research and other public benefit purpose."

The walk explored the countryside that included ancient woodland, dense hedgerow and rivers including protected mammal species such as otters, water voles, badgers and bats.

There are also other protected bird species such as the Kingfishers, Herons & Owls amongst other rare and treasured species such as curlews, woodpeckers, wild brown trout and crested newts.

Loggerheads Parish Councillor Graham Sedgley who joined the walk said: "I enjoyed the informal yet educational organisation of the Norton nature walk with Derek pointing out lots of signs of the flora and fauna right on our doorstep.

"Hopefully one of more to come."

The next wildlife walk will go ahead on International Dawn Chorus Day, May 5.

For more details visit www.facebook.com/bettonnortonwildlife