Waterton began in the 1820's by building a high wall all around the estate. This was to mark the boundaries and keep out poachers and all those who, in common with most nineteenth century landowners, preferred to shoot birds such as owls and herons rather than study them.
Within the estate at Walton there already existed woodland, a lake and some mixed farmland. These were natural attractions for wildlife which Waterton aimed to improve through careful management. He planted appropriate trees and shrubs. He wrote "I am very partial to the holly, the yew and the ivy. They give both food and shelter to the birds, whilst their charming green foliage makes us almost forget that winter has set in". As well as recording how the older trees in the park provided nesting sites, he altered some of the decaying stumps into elaborate `nest boxes'. Elsewhere he built a tall tower for birds to nest in and placed pipes in a wall for sandmartins.
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