Graham joined Cheshire Wildlife Trust CEO Dr. Janel Fone, Chairman Prof. David Norman and Trustee Peter Young for a stroll to discuss current conservation issues and plenty of bird watching.
Many of the ponds on site are remnants of the original Weaver Navigation, but are now being managed for wildlife rather than barges plying their trade along the river. Species include the rare great crested newt, and several kinds of dragonflies and butterflies. The viaduct overlooking the nature reserve has played host to peregrine falcons in recent years, and summer migrants include whitethroats and sedge warblers.
A particular feature of the nature reserve is the presence of native-breed English Longhorn cows through much of the year, who are brought to Dutton Park by the Wildlife Trust to manage the grasslands in a wildlife-friendly technique designed to create natural habitats ideal for a wide range of insects.
The same technique is being used across a number of Wildlife Trust nature reserves throughout the region, and by close working relationships between farmers, landowners and Cheshire Wildlife Trust in a bid to develop landscape-scale conservation areas or ‘Living Landscapes’.
Graham said “It was great to meet up with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust at such a beautiful part of my constituency. They even took the opportunity to quiz me on my knowledge of local birds. They do brilliant work preserving and protecting Cheshire’s wildlife and I hope to work closely with them to help improve the local area in future.”