Gowy Meadows Thrives: New Ponds Attract Playful Otters!”

It’s been an exciting and bustling start to the summer at Gowy Meadows! The Cheshire Wildlife Trust has been hard at work establishing new ponds across the reserve, thanks to support from Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme. These ponds are not only benefiting water voles and European eels but are also creating vibrant freshwater habitats for a variety of wildlife. Already, several dragonfly species have made these ponds their home, and there’s been a noticeable increase in little egrets, herons, and various duck species enjoying the new environments.

As the summer holidays bring a flurry of activity, this period is typically the busiest of the year, nestled between the nesting season and the onset of winter floods. Alongside regular management activities, several significant habitat creation and restoration projects are underway. Efforts are focused on restoring channels and ditches throughout the central part of the reserve to enhance freshwater habitats and improve flood water management for the winter months.

In collaboration with the RSPB, a national project is being trialed to manage soft rush, aiming to improve the quality of wet grassland habitats on site. Additionally, there’s a push to improve overall access to the reserve, particularly the main entrance footpath, which can be problematic during the winter. These improvements will ensure the reserve remains accessible and enjoyable for all visitors year-round.

Recently, Gowy Meadows has been graced with sightings of the great white egret, a variety of dragonflies and damselflies, and especially high numbers of banded demoiselles on the River Gowy and black-tailed skimmers. The most exciting news is the return of otters to Gowy Meadows! A family of otters has been spotted swimming in the ponds and moving through the reeds. To monitor their activities without disturbing them, a specialized camera has been set up to capture their movements day and night.

It’s a wonderful time to visit Gowy Meadows and witness the thriving wildlife and ongoing conservation efforts!

Visit Gowy Meadows

Gowy Meadows is a diverse nature reserve that is well worth exploring. There are over 4km of footpath trails and plenty of opportunities for bird watching, bug hunting and simply enjoying the views - just don’t forget to wear appropriate footwear!