Members of the public enjoyed a treat last week as they took an evening nature walk around new nature reserve, Lightshaw Meadows. The walk, organised by Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Red Rose Forest, gave participants the opportunity to see a nature reserve in its infancy and view some of the amazing wildlife in the area.
Shaped by Wigan's long industrial landscape, Lightshaw Meadows is a fantastically unique area for nature. Over the next three years, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Red Rose Forest, will work to restore the area for the benefit of key habitats and species listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority List. This project is funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund and Environment Agency.
Starting at The Dover Lock pub near Abram, the walkers were able to view the flora and fauna onsite before habitat management gets underway this autumn. They spotted Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Heron and Shellduck on the mud flats around Abram Flash and listened to willow warbler singing on the banks of the canal. Within the grassland areas sedges, vetches and cuckoo flowers were examined and beautiful demoiselle damselfly were seen skirting the fringes of Hey Brook.
Recently over 131, a local record number, of the attractive orange and brown Black- tailed Godwit were seen using Lightshaw Meadows. An Osprey also was enjoyed by the local birdwatchers when one spent a long weekend at the site and was seen catching fish along the canal and over the Lancashire Wildlife Trust Reserve at Dover Lock Basin.
Lightshaw Meadows is an interesting landscape and an example of what the Wigan countryside would have looked like many years ago. Subsidence caused by coal mining has created two flashes, perfect wetland habitats for breeding waders. But a lot of work is needed to restore Lightshaw Meadows back to its ‘wet grassland' habitat. At the moment the grassland has been used as agricultural land and is much drier than it would naturally have been. Works to restore ditches within the site and create ponds and scrapes is due to start this autumn.
The evening nature walk was a resounding success and a wonderful way to spend a warm evening rounded off by a refreshment stop at The Dover Lock. The new nature reserve offers a great opportunity for the local community to get involved and learn about the natural and industrial heritage of the area and there will be many similar opportunities to get involved.
ENDS
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Notes to Editors: Lightshaw Meadows is an area of open countryside and a mosaic of wetlands. Shaped by Wigan's long industrial landscape, Lightshaw Meadows is a fantastically unique area for nature. Covering an area of 18 ha, it has 13ha of land designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and forms part of Abram Flashes and Wigan's Greenheart Regional Park. Over the next three years, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Red Rose Forest, will work to restore the area for the benefit of key habitats and species listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority List. The development of the site offers a great opportunity for the local community to get involved and learn about the natural and industrial heritage of the area. Lightshaw Meadows is a Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Red Rose Forest project, funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund and the Environment Agency.
