VAUXHALL Motors in Wirral is helping to save the threatened barn owl.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust has a £36,000 campaign to prevent the loss of barn owls in Wirral and Cheshire.

The save the barn owl conference was hosted by Vauxhall Motors while 3C Waste has made a major contribution to funding from landfill tax credits.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust Director Chris Mahon said: "The barn owl is threatened in this area due to the loss of rough tussocky grassland for hunting, plus the absence of appropriate sites for nesting."

Massey Feeds and Associated Octel are also sponsoring the campaign, while barn owls have been spotted flying around Hooton and the Vauxhall factory area, where rough grassland supports a good vole (food!) population.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust is also concerned that beetle-mania may be on its way out. A survey reveals that the stag beetle, one of the most amazing-looking creatures, is threatened.

Records show that the small antler-jawed beetle is extremely scarce in Cheshire. The main contributor to the stag beetle's decline is loss of habitat.

Beetle fans are asked to save the creature, which is most active on a Summer's night when they take to the air in search of a mate. They are often seen in gardens, on old fence poles or a compost heap.

To take part in the survey contact Anne Marie Cook at Cheshire Wildlife Trust on 01270-610180, mentioning this article.

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