Shropshire Wildlife Trust will be holding a special day for bird watchers to identify some visitors from far afield.

The ‘Winter Wildfowl’ session will be held at The Boathouse, which sits on the Mere in Ellesmere, on Sunday from 10.30am until 3.30pm, and will be hosted by the Trust’s Dr Cath Price.

Anyone wishing to attend the session can meet in the cafe area, make a suggested donation of £2 and enjoy the variety of birds available to spot.

Dr Price said: “Come and see some of the wintering wildfowl on the mere at Ellesmere, from the comfort of The Boathouse.

“The mere is an important winter refuge for visitors from Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia. Learn to identify them and who goes where when they leave us.”

If you have binoculars, then do bring them as it will help you see the birds pointed out by Dr Price.

Meanwhile, the following Sunday – February 9 – there is a 'Wildlife Gardening' session, also run by Dr Price.

She added: "Is your New Year resolution to make your garden more wildlife-friendly?

"Come and get inspired! Masses of ideas and information to make your garden buzz, sing and even scuttle and make your own seed bomb!"

Again, the meeting point for the session is in the cafe area and a donation of £2 is suggested – there is no need to book, you can just drop in and it is open to all ages.

February's events finish with birds eggs and nests on Sunday, February 16, from 10.30am until 3.30pm, discovering the diversity of eggs from species found in the Meres and Mosses area.

There will be lots of information for youngsters, including a nest building challenge and if some are very lucky, possibly a chocolate egg or two.

For more details, email cathp@shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk or visit www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk