Hatch Mere

Hatch Mere is a SSSI and comprises a variety of habitats including open water, fen, carr and dry woodland.

Location
Hatch Mere is located to on the edge of Delamere Forest, near Norley in Vale Royal (O.S. Grid Ref.: SJ553722). The reserve covers an area of 12.6ha (31.1 acres).

Hatch Mere is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and comprises a eutrophic lake with an associated area of fen carr and dry woodland, which is part of the Meres and Mosses Ramsar sites of the north and northwest midlands. These sites make up a series of internationally important areas of open water and peatland.

This mere is made up of varied vegetation (including acidic heath and bog/poor-fen communities) that has developed on the peat and which fills much of the outer zones of the basin.

Yellow water lily and starworts are the dominant macrophytes whilst emergent stands of common reed and lesser reed mace almost encircle the mere.

Well-developed fen carr is dominated by grey willow and alder. The ground flora includes county-rare species such as tussock and tufted sedge.

To the north of the mere, drier sandy ground has formed an area of dry heath and oak/birch woodland. Within this area a dense thicket of bog myrtle exists, another county rarity, together with cross-leaved heath and heather.

On the west side of the mere is an area of peat dominated by peat-forming vegetation such as cotton grass and eight species of sphagnum including the nationally scarce S.flexuosum. Peat analysis has shown that during the 1700s hemp and flax was grown on this site as a commercial crop. In the late 1700s this crop was replaced with cereals. Between 1890 – 1920 pine forests began to be planted and re-stocked.

Hatch Mere is an important breeding ground for many bird species, which include the great crested grebe and the red data book (RDB) red-listed reed bunting (species of critical concern) and the RDB amber-listed willow warbler (species of particular concern).

At least 13 species of dragonfly and damselfly have been recorded, including the nationally notable hairy dragonfly and the variable damselfly. Several local and rare fly species and a nationally notable caddis fly have been recorded as well as three notable aquatic beetles and two RDB species of snail: the ramshorn snail and spire snail. Several species of butterfly occupy this site including the green hairstreak, which has declined across the Cheshire Plain.

The site supports a small population of common lizards, which are protected under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).

Management Objectives

Cheshire Wildlife Trust's Hatch Mere reserve is part of the Meres and Mosses Ramsar project launched by English Nature in 1998. This project was designed to enhance, maintain and protect internationally important wetlands.

In order to achieve these aims large areas of tree cover need to be removed to encourage the growth of heath, bog and fen species, which will in turn encourage bird and insect species specific to this type of habitat.

Areas of scrub oak will be retained and where possible dead wood left to encourage fungi and insects dependent on both standing deadwood and living timber.

The selective thinning of willow species, which helps to preserve the epiphytic bryophytes, will continue.

The open water area receives little management as, although it is important, it is less threatened than the other more sensitive areas. It is fished by the Prince Albert Angling Society who conform to the Trust's requirements and help to manage the site.

Planned Works

Clear felling of trees on the heath, fen and bog areas, to create more open areas for greater diversity.

Maintenance of pathways, bridges and stiles so visitors can move around more easily.

Removal of dangerous trees and limbs against pathways to reduce the risk to visitors.

Maintenance of interpretation and health and safety signage, to aid visitor enjoyment.

Maintenance of access to the waterfront for visitors.

Removal of alien plants such as Japanese knotweed, to allow native species to thrive.