About the reserve

Hatchmere is one of a series of lakes and peatlands across the North-West formed by the glacial action at the end of the last Ice Age, and part of the Northwest Midlands Meres and Mosses Ramsar site, a wetland site of international importance.

The mere is home to many birds including the beautiful great crested grebe. Reed bunting and willow warbler also nest among the common reed and lesser reed mace that almost encircle the mere. As well as the mere itself, our nature reserve includes the surrounding fens, wet woodland and wet heath. Up to 13 species of dragonfly and damselfly having been recorded on the reserve, including the rare hairy dragonfly and the variable damselfly.

To the west of the mere the Trust has cleared large amounts of birch to enhance the wet mossland vegetation. Here there are heather, bilberry, cotton grass and sphagnum mosses. There are deep boggy pools hidden in the vegetation, so it is as well to keep to the path and watch where you put your feet.