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 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 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.
More importantly to 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.
The theme for this year is "Wetlands and Climate Change". Climate change is one of the most pressing problems facing humanity and our planet. Wetlands and Climate Change, the theme to celebrate World Wetlands Day in 2019, draws attention to the vital role of wetlands as a natural solution to cope with climate change.
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Information kindly provided by Ramsar Convention and Cheshire Wildlife Trust.
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