PLANS for a nature reserve next to the new Mersey bridge will be one of the main talking points at a special biodiversity seminar next month.
The event, which is being held at the Catalyst Museum, in Widnes, on December 2, will look at different aspects of wildlife change across the Halton and Warrington area over the last 25 years.
It will be chaired by Professor David Norman, a Halton resident and author of the recent breeding and wintering atlas, Birds In Cheshire And Wirral.
Other speakers at the event will include biodiversity experts from the University of Salford, Natural England and from the Mersey Gateway Project.
Dr Philip James, from the School of Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Salford, will present research showing the improved quality of water and air in the area has helped to improve the range of birdlife and numbers of birds present in the area.
Grebes, ducks, geese, kingfishers and grey wagtails have increased in numbers, as have warblers, tits and woodland species.
But breeding waders and farmland birds have declined, mainly due to changing patterns of land use. Professor Norman said: “Halton’s wildlife has really flourished in recent years, with plenty of evidence to support this claim from research projects conducted with the University of Salford and others.
“The seminar will look at different aspects of change and how the proposed new nature reserve can continue to help wildlife in the area.”
Cllr Tony McDermott, leader of Halton Council, added: “Our aim with the proposed Mersey Gateway nature reserve is to build on this good work and continue improving the environment for future generations.”
