You can help one of the country’s most endangered birds on a Salford nature reserve.
The willow tit – Parus Montanus – is in freefall decline.
Its numbers fell by over 80% between 1994 and 2011.
That puts it on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s warning list, which tracks species at risk of extinction.
It’s thought there are only 350 breeding pairs in Greater Manchester.
But planting new willow tree groves and setting up nesting logs will create new habitat for this tiny bird at the Little Woolden Moss reserve in Cadishead.
Living off insects, seeds and berries, its favourite home is in willow thickets in damp places, like Irlam and Cadishead Mosses, lowland peat bogs and marshes.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Chat Moss Project has teamed up with the Forestry Commission to aid the plight of the willow tit.
The Lottery-funded project plans to rescue and restore precious lowland raised bogs in Salford, and to encourage local people to connect back to their mossland heritage.
The wildlife experts are now offering courses for local people to get involved in making new homes for the willow tit.
The Chat Moss Project are running a series of 8 free workshops between February and April, where you can learn how to prepare, weave and create living structures and fences using willow.
Plus teachers will be helping you to use these skills to create willow sculptures linked to the heritage of the area.
Booking is essential, so please contact Elspeth on 01204 663754 or eingleby@lancswt.org.uk to get involved.
