Wildlife enthusiasts “delighted” with progress on Paddington Meadows

WILDLIFE enthusiasts are delighted with the progress being made on Warrington’s Paddington Meadows over the last year.
A number of new species to the area have been sighted and populations of existing wildlife have healthy populations, according to the New Cut Heritage and Ecology Group.
Highlight for many were a pair of otters believed to be last year’s offspring off spring spotted on the meadows river bank, while a new visitor, a Little Egret, shared the same environment. New bird species sightings have included Water Rail, Common Sandpiper, Stonechats, Jackdaws, Widgeon and Garden Warblers.
An occasional Sky Lark dropped in and one day more 200 Redwings descended and, especially during September, Kingfishers and Jays were a common daily sight.
The group is expanding its expertise and following the wider ecology of the area with both dragonfly and butterfly surveys which have produced some amazing results.
In total some 13 different species have been identified with the highlight being the many Painted Lady and Red Admiral butterflies. The presence of the increasingly rare bank voles was thought to be a positive sign.
Keen to involve and engage with the public, the group had stands at the Woolston Show and helped the Latchford History Group in the organisation of a second local history show held at Alford Hall.
Close cooperation with Warrington Borough Council continued throughout the year especially on the removal and management of unwanted species.
The meadows and New Cut Canal form an important part of Warrington`s nationally important wildlife sanctuary that needs society to both value and protect. The green corridor, from Rixton to Moore along the Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal is a great environment where wildlife co-exists with a major waterway heritage asset, that is the Manchester Ship Canal.
Get in touch with the New Cut Heritage & Ecology Trail Group at [email protected], [email protected] or www.newcuttrail.com