A former dumping site for canal dredgings in Cheshire has transformed into Britain’s top habitat for the endangered black-necked grebe, now supporting over half of the UK’s breeding population. Through restoration efforts by conservation groups, the area has been reshaped into diverse wetlands featuring pools, reedbeds, and scrubland. The project, launched in 2021, highlights how repurposed industrial land can become vital ecosystems for rare wildlife. The success offers a model for balancing environmental recovery with sustainable land use.
Woolston Eyes in Warrington, a dumping ground for canal dredgings, has become best place in UK for black-necked grebeA dumping ground for dredgings from the Manchester Ship Canal has become the best place in Britain for the rare and beautiful black-necked grebe, hosting 64% of Britain’s breeding population.Since 2021, Woolston Eyes in Cheshire has been restored, extended and turned into a mosaic of freshwater pools, reedbeds, willow scrub and rough grassland, managed by the RSPB and Woolston Eyes Conservation Group. Continue reading...
