The Society took out a lease on a stretch of the River Weaver near Kingsley in September 1986 and created the Society's reserve called Hatton's Hey. The reserve covers 29 acres and includes a strip of woodland, drive scrub and extensive reedbed. A hide overlooks the open water lagoon. We have a very active nest box programme both on the reserve and in adjacent woodland. One of our members closely monitors nest box activity and a report is filed annually to the Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society records officer. To date, 92 species have been seen on the Reserve including a probable breeding pair of Common Buzzards.
Hatton's Hey Records The Society produces an annual report for the reserve which can be viewed by clicking here along with records for the nest boxes erected on the reserve. A summary is available by clicking here. A number of members also record their bird sightings at the reserve and the River Weaver area and the current list is available by clicking here.
Directions to Hattons Hey (use OS map for detail of footpaths) Take the B5153 Weaverham to Frodsham road and just before Kingsley Village (approaching from Weaverham) turn right into Ball Lane. After about 1/4 mile the road takes a sharp bend right. Stop here and park (map ref. SJ557754). Walk up the track towards Hall o' the Hey Farm and go through the gate on the left at a junction into the farmyard between the house and the open sided barn and follow the track down to the river. At the river turn right and access to the Reserve is over a stile in the far right corner of the field. A track leads along the bank between the dried out bed and Big Wood.
