CONSERVATION charity The Manx Wildlife Trust recently held a couple of wildlife-themed events to welcome its new corporate members.

Staff from Paul & Co, Edgewater Associates Limited and Moore Stephens Isle of Man - and their families - were invited to join in a rockpooling session at Scarlett and a woodland walk at the Trust’s Cooildarry nature reserve in Kirk Michael.

The rockpooling session started from the Trust's Visitor Centre at Scarlett.  Despite grey skies and a strong sea breeze, everyone had great fun and both adults and children were soon queuing up to show their finds to the Trust’s education officer, Kath Smith, who was on hand to help to identify all of the wonderful sea creatures. 

As well as edible and shore crabs, the group also found a hermit crab, prawns, shrimps, cushion and brittle starfish, winkles, anemones and even a pipe fish.

Following identification, all of the creatures were returned safely to the rockpools.

The Trust's fundraising officer, Anne Marie Kilgallon, said: "To show our appreciation for their support, we wanted to introduce our new corporate members to our work in an informal and fun way.

"Our successful rockpooling session certainly did that."

The woodland walk was a more sedate affair, with everyone enjoying a gentle stroll around Cooildarry, listening to the bird song and admiring the varied woodland.

The Manx Wildlife Trust said it is very grateful to Paul & Co, Edgewater Associates Limited and Moore Stephens Isle of Man and all of their corporate members.

Their support is helping the Trust to continue to protect Manx Wildlife for the future.

For more information about the Manx Wildlife Trust see www.manxwt.org.uk or call into the Wildlife Shop at Tynwald Mills, St John's.