Whatever the time of year there is always something different to see and do at Risley Moss.

Choose one of three short way-marked trials and explore the reserve on pathways suitable for prams and wheelchairs, winding through woodland and meadows. Sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature or join in a Ranger led event.

Climb the observation tower for a panoramic view of the mosslands at tree top height, or spend a few minutes watching wildlife from the woodland hide. In wintertime the woodland hide feeding station attracts over twenty species of bird. Greater spotted woodpeckers visit daily and you may also glimpse a fox foraging for scraps.

Stop for a moment to watch butterflies and other insects feeding in the meadows; or look into the underwater world of the ponds.

A huge wooden newt, carved beech pillars and grass covered mother earth are just some of the inspiring natural sculptures created by artists and local people – you'll find them dotted around the reserve close to the main paths. 

How to find us

By car - from junction 11 of the M62 turn onto the A574 (Birchwood Way). Turn left onto Moss Gate and straight on at the next two roundabouts. Risley Moss is immediately after the second roundabout

By bus - from Warrington Bus Station no.24 and no.25 stops at Ordnance Avenue and Moss Gate. 

Opening times

The visitor centre

The Risley Moss visitor centre is conveniently located next to the car park - the rangers office, information and toilets are located here.

Thanks to the Risley Moss Action Group and ENTRUST, the visitor centre now has a new permanent exhibition. Call in for information about the Reserve and what you can see and do - leaflets about other places of interest are also available.

Disabled access  

 For the disabled visitor there are resting points at regular intervals around the reserve along with wheelchair accessible picnic tables and two easy access bird hides. 

The visitor centre is also accessible for wheelchairs and there are disabled toilet facilities inside. 

Risley Moss - A wildlife haven

Risley Moss is a special place – one of the few remaining mosslands in Cheshire and the United Kingdom. As well as the damp mossland with its distinctive plants and animals there are wildflower meadows, ponds rich in aquatic life and a mature oak ash woodland creating a mosaic of habitats.

The reserve is designated both a local nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its diverse array of flora and fauna. In addition the mossland is part of a Special Area for Conservation (SAC) giving the area European importance.

The mossland

The mossland is a remnant of lowland raised bog, drained and degraded by peat cutting. Many of the native bog plants and animals had begun to disappear before a re-wetting scheme began in 1978. Completed in 2002, this long-term restoration project created a series of scrapes and bunds to retain water and recreate the perfect conditions for bog flora such as cotton grass and sphagnum mosses to re-colonise. Raised bogs however take a very long time to form and it could be several hundred years before the mossland is fully restored.

You can view the mossland from the observation tower. To explore further and learn more about the restoration project, join one of our ranger-led guided walks held throughout the year.

The woodland

As you explore the trails you will encounter both mature oak-ash woodland and silver birch woodland. The woodlands are managed to encourage wildlife and are awash with wildflowers during the springtime. Visit in the autumn and you might see the conspicuous red and white fly agaric mushroom growing beneath a birch tree.

The meadows

A plethora of wildflower meadows greets visitors in spring and summer. Look out for orchids amongst the tall grasses and watch numerous butterflies, dragonflies and other insects feeding on nectar.

Wildlife on the moss

The woodland hide feeding station attracts large numbers of hungry birds in winter including nuthatch, blue tits, long-tailed tits, greenfinch, robins and many others. Out on the mossland over 200 species of birds have been recorded including short-eared owl, hen harrier, hobby, peregrine falcon and the occasional osprey along with numerous wildfowl and wetland birds such as snipe and pink-footed geese.

Newts, frogs and toads breed in the ponds and ditches whilst in summer dragonflies can be seen skimming over the water’s surface. Of the seventeen species of dragonflies and smaller damselflies recorded recently in Lancashire and Cheshire, 15 have been seen and 11 breed in ever increasing numbers on Risley Moss’ protected woodland ponds and restored mosslands – making the reserve a vital regional and national stronghold for their continued survival.

A number of threatened and protected species inhabit the mossland and woodlands such as the watervole, adder, great crested newt and common lizard. Notable plants include northern and southern marsh orchids and insect eating round leaved sundew.

Wildflower meadows hum with butterflies, bees and other insects during spring and summer. A hay cut is taken in late summer once the flower seeds have set.

How can I get involved?
   
The Risley Moss Action Group (RIMAG) helps run events, raise funds for projects, survey wildlife and manage the reserve. The group is always looking for new enthusiastic members.

The rangers and RIMAG currently meet once a month to carry out practical conservation tasks at the reserve. If you would like to join in and get your hands dirty please contact either the rangers for dates and times.

Contact the rangers

Tel/fax: 824339 
Email: rangers@warrington.gov.uk
Visit: Rangers Office, Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve, OrdnanceAve, Birchwood, Warrington, WA3 6QX 

Related documents

Location map Risley_Moss.pdf