Hockenhull Platts

Two species-rich, wet meadows with a wide variety of plants, including marsh marigold, ragged robin, fleabane, greater burnet and lady's smock. The area is rich in bird life, including grasshopper, sedge and reed warblers.

Location
Hockenhull Platts lie on the west bank of the River Gowy at the point where the old pack-horse track from Tarvin to Chester crosses the river at 'The Roman Bridges' (O.S. Grid Ref.: SJ476657).

Access
Access to the main reserve area is by permit only, available from Cheshire Wildlife Trust. The reserve can be adequately viewed from the pack-horse track which is a public right of way. From Chester turn right off the A51, shortly before the Stamford Bridge Traffic Lights. At the T junction, about 1.25 miles (2km) from the A51, turn left down the lane indicated as 'No through road'. Cars should be left in the vicinity of the drive to Cotton Farm, then proceed on foot to the 'Roman Bridges'. Access can also be obtained from the Tarvin direction, though space for car parking is very limited.

Status
Hockenhull Platts are managed by agreement with the Grosvenor (Eaton) Estates. The reserve covers approximately 11 acres (5 ha). The pack-horse bridges are scheduled ancient monuments and still show the original road surface.

Vegetation
The reserve is divided into four main habitat areas, a herb-rich meadow, the poplar plantation, a badly drained field (currently grazed by horses) and a pond (formerly a meander of the River Gowy). The pack-horse lane is bordered by a hedge and in places a border of reeds Phragmites australis.
The wet meadow was originally grazed, nowadays it is mown annually in the autumn to prevent development into alder carr. The degree of waterlogging varies across the meadow. In the wetter areas kingcups Caltha palustris and bur reed Sparganium erectum flourish, whilst in the slightly drier areas ragged robin Lychnis flos-cuculi, fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica and great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis grow, together with other wet meadow species. Juncus subnodulosus is found scattered throughout the wet meadow, and also growing in the ditches surrounding the poplar plantation.
The pond contains various emergent and floating aquatics. There is a rich algal flora.

Fauna
Regular bird species lists have been produced as a part of the BTO Common Bird Census. Over 64 species have been recorded for the site, many of which breed. Grasshopper, Sedge and Reed warblers are often heard here during the summer months.
Lists have also been compiled for mollusca, arachnida and some lepidoptera.