Seven Acres is an urban wildlife haven. Situated just over 1 mile from the centre of Bolton and within walking distance of around 24,000 people, the site is truly urban. However, just a short walk into the site reveals a wild countryside character that is refuge for biodiversity and local people.  As well as wildlife the site is important for local heritage. In its past role the site has been important for bleaching industry, charcoal burning, coppicing, farming and mining.

Our Work On Seven Acres

We have been involved with the site since late 2003 and assisted with its designation as a Local Nature Reserve. Engaging with the local community is of the most important elements of our involvement at the site. We have helped support the creation and ongoing development of The Friends of Seven Acres group whom take an active role in promoting, protecting and managing the site.

 

Seven Acres is one of the most important sites that the Wildlife Trust work on for environmental education. The site has a fantastic variety of habitats and is located next to the Environmental Resource Centre which has classrooms so it is perfect for education visits. The cornerstone of our environmental education sessions at the site is netting minibeasts in Bradshaw Brook. Discovering mayflies, caddis fly larvae, hair worms, stickleback, leeches and water beetles never ceases to amaze and inspire young people!

 

 

Managing the variety of habitats at Seven Acres is a challenge and without the assistance of our local volunteer group we would struggle. We undertake a range of tasks from hedgerow maintenance, mowing grassland habitats, clearing wetland vegetation and controlling invasive species.

To assess the impact of this practical work we undertake a range of monitoring activities including fixed point surveying, butterfly surveys, dragonfly surveys and bat surveys.

 

What To See

Bradshaw Brook supports a number of species which are great to observe, particularly birds, including Dippers, Kingfishers and Grey heron. During the summer Bradshaw Brook is a great habitat for dragonflies, particularly hawkers but we also have the beautiful Banded Demoiselle. Otters have been recorded further upstream and so there is always the chance of seeing signs of their presence on the site.

 

Our butterfly surveys have recorded 21 different species on the site with Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper dominant species. Most butterfly species will be found in the acid grassland, wildflower meadow and heathland habitats which support an interesting range of plants including tormentil, devils-bit scabious and heather.

 

Seven Acres has a variety of different wetland habitats which support five different species of amphibian including smooth and palmate newt. Some of the larger wetlands also have breeding populations of moorhen and mallard. These habitats are very important for breeding populations of damselflies and dragonflies, with a total of 12 species recorded on the site.

 

The woodland habitats at the site are predominantly young broadleaf plantation. However, the site has an interesting area of old Sycamore coppice woodland which survives from the period when Seven Acres was an important site for the bleaching industry.

 

Mammals recorded on site include Roe Deer, Foxes and Weasel. More importantly, the site is an important feeding area for bats with at least four different species recorded.

 

Site summary:

 

Size: 28ha (possibility of extension by at least 20ha)

 

Owned by: Bolton Council

 

Managed by: Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Bolton Council

Declared a Local Nature Reserve in 2004

Location: Seven Acres is located in the east of the Bolton Borough, just over 1 mile from Bolton town centre.

Access: The site has a car park at its northern entrance on Thicketford Road, off Crompton Way (A58 ring road) Seven Acres has good path networks throughout, some of which are suitable for wheelchair access. The southern entrance to the site is from the A58 Bury Road. Part of the Kingfisher Trail, a borough long footpath link, passes through Seven Acres.

For more information about this site contact:

Lancashire Wildlife Trust

James Hall

Environmental Resource Centre

499 - 511 Bury Road

Bolton

BL2 6DH

 

Tel: 01204 663754

Email: James Hall

 

Bolton Council

Andrew Grundy

Bolton Environmental Services Department

Wellington House

Wellington Street

Bolton

BL3 5DX

Tel: 01204 334076