AFTER more than 400 years, beavers are back breeding in Cheshire.

The news comes after Cheshire Wildlife Trust announced the arrival of a new young beaver at Hatchmere Nature Reserve in Delamere. This sighting confirms that beavers have successfully bred in the county for the first time in over 400 years.

The young beaver – known as a kit – is the offspring of a pair of Eurasian beavers named Rowan and Willow, who were released into an enclosed site adjacent to Hatchmere nature reserve back in November 2020 as part of a five-year project.

Since their release, the pair have transformed a key area into a wetland haven with dams and lodges. The beavers natural behaviour in creating dams and holding water is encouraging previously unseen species into the area such as Kingfisher, stoats and a whole host of waterfowl.

Kevin Feeney, reserves manager for Hatchmere says: “The future of Hatchmere nature reserve is looking very positive since we released Rowan and Willow back in 2020.

"The dams and wetlands they have created are helping us to reach our project aims to improve water quality within the catchment and help reverse the decline in Cheshire’s wildlife.

"Monitoring is ongoing, the public’s support is inspiring and the arrival of the first beaver kit to be born in Cheshire for over 400 years is a real milestone that couldn’t have been achieved without our supporters"

As a charity, Cheshire Wildlife Trust are asking for donations to allow them to continue their work to bring beavers back to Cheshire and monitor all the incredible benefits they have for nature’s recovery. Anyone wishing to be part of bringing beavers back to Cheshire can support by visiting: cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/beaver-appeal.