Browse this section for feature articles and more in-depth information about the wildlife and biodiversity of North Merseyside. If you would like to contribute a feature article to this magazine, please contact the
North Merseyside Biodiversity Manager  Cabin Hill National Nature Reserve
Cabin Hill National Nature Reserve has been gifted to Natural England by the landowners. Phil Smith and Alice Kimpton give us a brief history Cabin Hill NNR and describe why it is an important site for nature conservation.
 Ratty Thrives along the Leeds - Liverpool Canal
Helen Laycock describes the results of the Water Vole Survey carried out along the Leeds - Liverpool Canal in 2008.
 Further additions to the Inventory of Vascular Plants for the Sefton Coast
Phil Smith describes the 2008 additions to the Sefton Coast vascular plants inventory.
 How many plants are there at Cabin Hill?
Phil Smith explores the remarkablt diverse plant life of Cabin Hill National Nature Reserve on the Sefton Coast.
 The willows of the Sefton Coast.
Phil Smith explains why the willows of the Sefton Coast are so special.
 Further additions to the Inventory of Vascular Plants for the Sefton Coast
Phil Smith describes the latest additions to the Sefton Coast vascular plants inventory.
 The botanical interest of Southport Marine Lake sand-dunes
Phil Smith describes the flowers and plants that can be found in the dunes to the west and north of Southport Marine Lake and discusses the importance of this site to the biodiversity of the Sefton Coast.
Common Wintergreen (
Pyrola minor
) at Ainsdale NNR
In 1963 Common Wintergreen was recorded as extinct in South Lancashire, but in 1980 it was found again the Sefton Coast. Recently the Lancashire Wildlife Trust's Endangered Plants Working Group placed Common Wintergreen on its list of endangered plants. This report gives an account of this endangered plant and details the resuls of a 2007 survey to document its abundance on Ainsdale Sands NNR.
 Alien plants in the Sefton Coast sand-dunes
From spring to autumn, the sandhills are a riot of colour, but how many of the wild flowers are genuine British plants? Recent studies show that an increasing proportion of our dune flora is non-native. Phil Smith explains where these plants come from and what sort of impact are they having on our internationally important sand-dunes.
 Birds of North Merseyside, 2000-2006
A review of the progress of birds of conservation importance on North Merseyside over the first five years of the North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan. This article does not limit itself to birds for which we have Species Action Plans, but also covers marine species (hopefully soon to be covered in regional action plans) and other species of note.
 Five Years in the life of Red Squirrel Conservation on North Merseyside
A review of Red Squirrel conservation on North Merseyside over the last five years including the creation of the refuge and buffer zone.
 What is a wildlife garden?
Surely all gardens are wildlife gardens really aren't they? Are insects, birds and wildflower respecters of boundaries? Do they stop when they meet a leylandii hedge and look for something more...well 'natural'? Wildlife will exploit hundreds of niches in even the most formal gardens. When you look at it like this, the comparison between 'wildlife' and 'normal' gardens is a bit artificial and that's because the really significant differences are not in the gardens themselves, but in the outlook of the
people
who inhabit them.
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