Cheshire Wildlife Trust expands Quinta reserve

Cheshire Wildlife Trust has expanded its nature reserve near Holmes Chapel, through the acquisition of additional land adjacent to its current nature reserve.

The existing Quinta and Swettenham Meadows nature reserves comprise ancient woodland, a network of wildlife rich ponds, scrub and a series of species rich meadows. Together these habitats support an abundance of wildlife – including tawny owls, woodland birds, fourteen resident species of butterfly and a number of woodland and meadow plants from common spotted to devils-bit scabious and bluebells.

The additional 10 acres of land in the Swettenham Valley will not only be a benefit to the wildlife of the area but will also provide the possibility for a series of new guided walks and training events.

“It has been a long-term aspiration of the Trust to acquire further land in this area and the fact that it extends our existing nature reserves is really exciting news,” commented Charlotte Harris, chief executive of Cheshire Wildlife Trust. This piece of land will enable us to connect our existing nature reserves of The Quinta and Swettenham Meadows, providing us scope to turn this area into one large Swettenham Valley Nature Reserve.”

The extension supports a diverse range of habitats including ponds, species rich grassland, wet woodland and even a small orchard.

Joe Pimblett, eastern area manager at Cheshire Wildlife Trust, explained: “Over the next few weeks our team, volunteers and specialist contractors will be working hard to improve the site for wildlife through pond excavation, scrub removal, invasive species control and reseeding work.

“In the future we’ll use sympathetic cattle grazing to maintain and enhance the diversity of plant species.

“This work, in conjunction with that ongoing on our existing nature reserves, will create a haven for wildlife in the Swettenham Valley.”

Cheshire Wildlife Trust has been developing the traditional meadow at Swettenham since 2016.

The charity has been acting as a voice for wildlife in the region for more than 50 years, working across Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, Stockport, Warrington, Tameside, Trafford and Wirral.

It manages around 40 nature reserves with habitats ranging from grasslands and wet meadows to reedbeds, coastal dunes and woodland.

Find out more at: www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk