A BIRD hide was opened in a north Shropshire nature reserve near Whitchurch as part of Shropshire Wildlife Trusts 60th anniversary celebrations.

The Charles Sinker Fields bird hide is located in the Marches Mosses and was officially opened on Thursday, July 14.

The hide is one of many new facilities being installed in the area through the Restoring the Marches Mosses BogLIFE Project which has been funded by the EU LIFE programme and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Anna Martin, events officer for the Marches Mosses said the new reserve creates a haven for wildlife.

She added: "It was great to celebrate this fantastic new bird hide.

"There have been so many people involved in making it possible and it was wonderful to bring them together to share the end results.

"This bird hide is for everyone.

"We are grateful to the birdwatching community for their insight about the area and their support.

"We are also thankful to the support of people with lived experience of disability and disability advocates who advised us on making the hide wheelchair accessible and more inclusive.

"It is great to have a new nature reserve which creates a haven for wildlife, whilst also giving people a chance to connect with the natural world."

Jordan Davies, also from the Marches Mosses said the event provided the opportunity to meet those involved with the project.

He explained: "The event began at the old scrapyard with a chance to meet others involved in the bird hide installation and visit several stalls relating to the project.

"There was information on the scrapyard restoration, a chance to watch the project’s virtual reality film and a 'bog box' to show people what the Mosses look like up close, a representative from the trust's showcase 'Feed the Birds' project and art from the Mosses and Marshes project.

"The group then moved to the bird hide for the official opening speeches and ribbon cutting."

Jordan added the field is named after Charles Sinker who was a passionate conservationist.

He said: "The nature reserve that the hide looks out on is named in honour of Charles Sinker, a passionate conservationist who recognised the unique nature of the Meres and Mosses and campaigned for their protection.

"Charles Sinker Fields is one of the best sites for wildfowl and wetland birds in North Shropshire.

"The land is important edge habitat for Whixall Moss, called lagg.

"This type of marginal land has been eliminated from almost all British raised bogs, making these works of considerable importance.

"From the hide you can see curlew, lapwings, starling murmurations and many more dabblers and waders."

You can find out more by visiting https://themeresandmosses.co.uk/