pennington flash

[heskin]

This place is local to me but I have only visited it about 4 or 5 times.I was wondering what the more unusual species that I may see here would be?

The last time I visited the information centre did not have much info on the birds!

[James M]

Don't know much sorry but when I went last I saw a Great-crested Grebe.

[rlchew]

I live down in Essex so my visits are few and far between .... normally when I am up for the football at Old Trafford.

The "Bunting Hide" (?) always seems very good for species at the feeding staion during the winter months including more uncommon birds such as Willow Tit, Bullfinch and Water Rail plus loads of the commoner species.

I also seem to recall seeing Little Ringed Plover in April/May one year and a flock of Goosander in January one year from the "Horrocks Hide" (?).

Unfortunately I can not help with what you are likely to see currently.

This may help .... Leigh Ornithological Society

I also seem to recall that PMG (Pauline) works/worked at Pennington Flash .... she may be able to help you too.

Richard

[John]

I have been a few times and anything can turn up there. It is a big expanse of water with plenty of places for birds to get lost in.

It used to guarantee you seeing a Long Eared Owl for a while but I'm not sure if it still does. I have had a Canvasback there and Black Grebes as well as a few other birds so it is well worth a visit if your in that area.

It can get very busy at times so bear that in mind.

John

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by John

I have been a few times and anything can turn up there. It is a big expanse of water with plenty of places for birds to get lost in.

It used to guarantee you seeing a Long Eared Owl for a while but I'm not sure if it still does. I have had a Canvasback there and Black Grebes as well as a few other birds so it is well worth a visit if your in that area.

It can get very busy at times so bear that in mind.

John

I've been there once + remember seeing a Long-eared Owl. It was some years back- whenever the Black-faced Bunting was there, which must be about the rarest bird recorded there, though Canvasback must come close- only seen the one in Norfolk at Welney + the beet factory.

[John]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I've been there once + remember seeing a Long-eared Owl. It was some years back- whenever the Black-faced Bunting was there, which must be about the rarest bird recorded there, though Canvasback must come close- only seen the one in Norfolk at Welney + the beet factory.

I saw the Welney one too. I got there late on the day on 12/12/1997 and Bill Oddie was there filming and he put me onto it amongst about 6,000 Pochards.

I have also saw the one that was at Abberton Reservoir on 11/12/1999. The Pennington Flash one was out of context date wise as I saw it on 23/07/2002, so could we be due another one somewhere?

John

[Nightranger]

It is a well watched site so there is usually plenty of information to tap into. Sadly, the LEOs are gone now but black-necked grebes and smew are becoming regular visitors in winter, which is not bad for a site in Lancashire. Pennington Flash has a lot going for it throughout the year from being one of the best places for a variety of warblers and other migrants in spring through to the less common waterfowl and if the water is low enough, some good waders.

[heskin]

Where are the long-eared owl likely to be sen there? anyone know

[ChrisJB]

Regarding the Long Eared Owls, I can't remember exactly, but from one of the hides. It looks across a pool I think, to some thick scrub. They used to roost in there. Any of the regular birders you might meet there will be more exact I expect.

There was a Whiskered Tern a few years back as well.

Be careful if you are planning some dusk visits, the area has a reputation for unsavoury characters,

Regards, Chris

[heskin]

never seen a long-eared owl.Any other places in N/W England they can be seen?

[John]

Originally Posted by heskin

never seen a long-eared owl.Any other places in N/W England they can be seen?

There are quite a few places but usually you have to be in the know to find out.

Currently there is one showing well at Belvide Reservoir, near Wolverhampton but you have to a permit holder to get in (West Midland Bird Club).

John

[ChrisJB]

The uplands of Calderdale are quite good for LEOs, in the plantations. I'm not aware of any specific sites (for obvious reasons they are not well publicised). But if you arm yourself with the 1:25 000 OS map (South Pennines) and visit a few at dusk or dawn you should eventually get lucky.

Regards, Chris

[gary jb]

Great spotted woodpecker and Jay are resident there.Large groups of Starlings root at dusk can be a great sight

[heskin]

Anyone know when an osprey was seen there?

[Davy Crockett]

Hi only just found you post, why not join the local bird club, Leigh Ornithological Society. leighos.org.uk

Over 230 bird species recorded on site including, Black-Faced Bunting, Nightingale, Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill and Leach’s Petrel

[Helen Jones]

Hi

Just found this thread - I'm the treasurer for the Leigh Ornithological Society, if you are interested in joining or would like more info, send me your details by private message and I'll get something sent out to you. Alternatively, our next meeting is on the 30th October, 7.30pm at Leigh Library - small entrance fee of £1 for non-members. If you fancy it, come along and say hi!

Re: Penny Flash, I love it at this time of year, always plenty of wildfowl and waders around, in the last few weeks the more interesting species (for me anyway!) have included little egret, pintail, gargeney, yellow-legged gull, whoopers, bt godwit, golden plover and green sandpiper - too many other good 'uns to mention!!

Helen

[ollyk]

I don't suppose you get large gatherings of starlings their do you? I really want my daughter to witness the dusk gatherings so am looking for a good site in the North West!

[captaincarot]

Originally Posted by ollyk

I don't suppose you get large gatherings of starlings their do you? I really want my daughter to witness the dusk gatherings so am looking for a good site in the North West!

first time i ever saw what you're thinking about it was right in the middle of sheffield so you might not have to travel so far to see it, it could be happening just down the road.

[Davy Crockett]

Originally Posted by ollyk

I don't suppose you get large gatherings of starlings their do you? I really want my daughter to witness the dusk gatherings so am looking for a good site in the North West!

No there arn't any gatherings of starlings. But the "Flash" is well worth a day out, its well fix with hides, paths, carpark, facilities, and most of all birds.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by ollyk

I don't suppose you get large gatherings of starlings their do you? I really want my daughter to witness the dusk gatherings so am looking for a good site in the North West!

Leighton Moss before dusk this next month should have a good display of starling coming to roost: its hard to predict how many - I've been on consecutive evenings last year and some were good and some were poor - obviously the starlings have more than one roost spot and pick and choose between them. I;ve even noticed that they move spots around a reedbed too - I suppose the reeds get broken and dirty after a night or two of 5-10,000 starlings bouncing around in them - so they choose different parts of the reserve which makes it hard to predict where to stand to get the best view! Most folk opt for Lilians Hide as its 'in the middle' whether they go right or left - but I prefer to stand outside as I love it when I've got it right and they fly overhead - the whoosing of wings is so fantastic!

And err ....... Pennington - well actually since I finished work there in March this year I haven't actually been back .......... I've concentrated on going just about everywhere and anywhere else but ....... think that has more to do with my previous working life than the place itself ......... nough said methinks!

[ollyk]

Ah thanks, Leighton moss too far tbh. I know there are roosts at Runcorn bridge but they have never compared to what I have seen elsewhere. Maybe we will try that this year.

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by PMG

Leighton Moss before dusk this next month should have a good display of starling coming to roost: its hard to predict how many - I've been on consecutive evenings last year and some were good and some were poor - obviously the starlings have more than one roost spot and pick and choose between them. I;ve even noticed that they move spots around a reedbed too - I suppose the reeds get broken and dirty after a night or two of 5-10,000 starlings bouncing around in them - so they choose different parts of the reserve which makes it hard to predict where to stand to get the best view! Most folk opt for Lilians Hide as its 'in the middle' whether they go right or left - but I prefer to stand outside as I love it when I've got it right and they fly overhead - the whoosing of wings is so fantastic!

Reading the LDBWS website, John Wilson reckoned over 50,000 starlings left the roost last Sunday morning! I was in Lillians around 4.30pm on Saturday and certainly thousands of starlings around, but seemed to be favouring the area towards Grizedale rather than in front of Lillians.

Cheers
Jonathan

[satnavbirder]

Pennington flash
Neill Carden ‘The Satnavbirder’
Another truly amazing place to visit in the North West of England and except for the £1.00 car park fee entry is FREE. I was recommended this reserve by a fellow birder who could not stop ranting about the place, all this lady could do was rant on about how well run and laid out the area was, and boy was she right!
All seven hides are wheelchair friendly as are the paths to them, from the minute you park in the car park the views across the 70 hectare lake are spectacular. The lake is the centre of this 200 hectare park. This is one of Wigan’s premier bird watching sites and over 230 different species have been recorded at the site these include Nightingale, Spoonbills, Black faced bunting, Marsh Harrier and a good variety of sea birds are just a few.
There is also a good variety of other wildlife including butterflies, dragon flies, Damselflies, foxes and hares, these are regularly sighted.
The Bunting hide is fantastic and the feeders have been arranged in such a way that trees and bushes have been left to create a very natural and inviting habitat.
Last time I visited the site and took another birder Johnny Carr, he had travelled up from Sussex and was in awe at the number of Bullfinches in one spot. A sighting of one in Sussex is a special occasion, but 20 plus pairs all within 15 feet and with some good photographic background made a spectacular day for a southerner visiting the North, so much so he returned two weeks later.
Johnny Carr Photography, Bird photograpy
Local bird watching group Manchester Birding have a good link on their website regarding Pennington Flash.
http://www.manchesterbirding.com/pen...nsiteguide.htm
Another good and informative link is the one below by the local Wigan borough council.
Wigan's Parks and Countryside
If you do make the effort to visit this fantastic site take your time to walk all the way around. Walk up to the canal and watch some of the canal barges coming through the locks, this is easily accessed by following the main walk way until you come to some steps that look like they lead to nowhere, also take the time to look in the reed beds that run either side of some of the pathways, you will be surprised at what is flitting in and out. Kingfishers are very often heard and spotted but in the distance, a Black necked Grebe in summer plumage was present for a short time this year.
This is a ideal family hotspot with good park and play area’s for children set away from the bird hides.
PENNINGTON FLASH COUNTRY PARK
Off St Helens Road
Leigh
Greater Manchester
WN7 3PA
Tel 01942 605253
HOW TO GET HERE
BY CAR: - The Park lies close to the A580 East Lancashire Road and is well signposted from it
BY BUS: - From Leigh Bus Station take the 600 to the outskirts of the Park, get off at the Robin Hood pub,
for details Tel 01942 883501
ON FOOT: - The Park is only a short walk away from Leigh town centre, there is a footpath entrance into the Eastside of the Park from St Helens Road, which will take you along the old Pennington Railway line

[Davy Crockett]

Originally Posted by satnavbirder

Pennington flash
Neill Carden ‘The Satnavbirder’
Another truly amazing place to visit in the North West of England and except for the £1.00 car park fee entry is FREE. I was recommended this reserve by a fellow birder who could not stop ranting about the place, all this lady could do was rant on about how well run and laid out the area was, and boy was she right!
All seven hides are wheelchair friendly as are the paths to them, from the minute you park in the car park the views across the 70 hectare lake are spectacular. The lake is the centre of this 200 hectare park. This is one of Wigan’s premier bird watching sites and over 230 different species have been recorded at the site these include Nightingale, Spoonbills, Black faced bunting, Marsh Harrier and a good variety of sea birds are just a few.
There is also a good variety of other wildlife including butterflies, dragon flies, Damselflies, foxes and hares, these are regularly sighted.
The Bunting hide is fantastic and the feeders have been arranged in such a way that trees and bushes have been left to create a very natural and inviting habitat.
Last time I visited the site and took another birder Johnny Carr, he had travelled up from Sussex and was in awe at the number of Bullfinches in one spot. A sighting of one in Sussex is a special occasion, but 20 plus pairs all within 15 feet and with some good photographic background made a spectacular day for a southerner visiting the North, so much so he returned two weeks later.
Johnny Carr Photography, Bird photograpy
Local bird watching group Manchester Birding have a good link on their website regarding Pennington Flash.
http://www.manchesterbirding.com/pen...nsiteguide.htm
Another good and informative link is the one below by the local Wigan borough council.
Wigan's Parks and Countryside
If you do make the effort to visit this fantastic site take your time to walk all the way around. Walk up to the canal and watch some of the canal barges coming through the locks, this is easily accessed by following the main walk way until you come to some steps that look like they lead to nowhere, also take the time to look in the reed beds that run either side of some of the pathways, you will be surprised at what is flitting in and out. Kingfishers are very often heard and spotted but in the distance, a Black necked Grebe in summer plumage was present for a short time this year.
This is a ideal family hotspot with good park and play area’s for children set away from the bird hides.
PENNINGTON FLASH COUNTRY PARK
Off St Helens Road
Leigh
Greater Manchester
WN7 3PA
Tel 01942 605253
HOW TO GET HERE
BY CAR: - The Park lies close to the A580 East Lancashire Road and is well signposted from it
BY BUS: - From Leigh Bus Station take the 600 to the outskirts of the Park, get off at the Robin Hood pub,
for details Tel 01942 883501
ON FOOT: - The Park is only a short walk away from Leigh town centre, there is a footpath entrance into the Eastside of the Park from St Helens Road, which will take you along the old Pennington Railway line

Or visit: leighos.org.uk The Local bird enthusiasts:
Leigh Orinithological Society