Greenhead Moss Community Nature Park

Latest News:
Last updated 17th August, 2010.

Earthship will not be re-built.
The earthship at Greenhead Moss that was destroyed by arsonists in March this year will not be re-built. A recent meeting of the Trust Board decided not to continue with the project due to financial constraints, lack of site security and concern over persistent break-ins at the park.

We would like to extend our great appreciation for all the support from local people, volunteers and regular visitors to the park over the past few years.

We have all achieved a lot as part of the earthship project - skills that we can use in future projects, plans and ideas.

Watch this space!

'Angel wing' deformity in one of our cygnets.
We have had a good year so far with seven cygnets in Perchy Pond. However, one has developed a condition called 'angel wing'. This is commonly seen in birds that are fed bread in urban ponds and is a sign of magnesium deficiency in their diet. As a result of having a full belly of bread, they do not eat enough of their natural food such as pond weed, grass and grain and hence don't get the natural minerals in their diet. Angel wing is a growth deformity that means the wing cannot extend fully.

Please don't feed the swans bread!

Try wild bird seed or other grains. Brown bread is not an alternative - they need to be eating natural bird food - that's what their digestive systems are designed for.

What will happen to the angel wing cygnet now?
Adult swans drive off their young every year encouraging them to set up in their own pond somewhere else. If we leave it in the pond, it will struggle to fly away with its siblings at the end of the season. It is already getting left behind by its siblings. This may make it easier to catch and take to a wildlife sanctuary where they will look after it. As the angel wing cygnet cannot fly, it is likely to be attacked by a fox, stoat or other predator or even drowned by its parents.