Vast former industrial sites set to be one of UK’s largest urban nature reserves - Natural England
The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh now one of the UK's largest urban nature reserves following Natural England declaration
The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh set to become one of the biggest urban nature reserves with new declaration
738-hectare green beacon close to major urban areas will provide access to nature for over 300,000 local people
Nationally important habitat will help protect rare willow tits, bitterns and water voles
A former industrial wasteland which is now a nationally important site for rare wildlife such as willow tit and bittern is set to become one of England’s largest urban nature reserves.
The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh - a 738-hectare area of species-rich wetland, meadows and woodlands - will today (3 October) join England’s network of National Nature Reserves.
The designation, which will be the first in the Greater Manchester area, recognises the incredible transformation of the Flashes over the last 100 years. Lakes formed as a result of mining subsidence became home to wildlife like the ‘booming bittern’ as natural recolonisation and large-scale reclamation works healed the scars of industry.
The former industrial landscape is declared not only for its importance in protecting wildlife and natural capital but for its recreational value to the community. It is hoped the site, which is home to a variety of pursuits from fishing to cycling, nature walks and birdwatching, will provide new opportunities for sustainable tourism and visits from local residents and those further afield.
The new protected reserve will create an oasis for nature, with Wigan also now recognised as one of the greenest urban boroughs in the United Kingdom. The mosaic of shallow open water and wetland habitats (swamp, reedbed, tall herb fen, wet marshy grassland and wet woodland) supports a rich diversity of birds and other species. This includes over 52 pairs of willow tit, accounting for approximately 2% of England’s population, as well as the heron-like bittern, water voles and great crested newts.
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Posted On: 03/10/2022