Yes, good point Craig, I've had the same in the past at Wigan Flashes. For anyone reporting incidents at Bickershaw it's probably best referring to Edna Road, Smiths Lane or Plank Lane.

-- Edited by dave broome on Monday 20th of April 2015 10:07:07 PM

dave broome wrote:

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While not strictly speaking a direct 'wildlife crime' in the usual sense of the term, the problem with unauthorised and illegal off-road vehicle activity on Bickershaw Rucks, referred to on the sightings thread for that site, definitely has an impact upon the site's wildlife, as well as to other users of the site and the general area. It's worth pointing out that the 4x4 activity isn't just people taking a chance and going on to an open site. It's has involved repeated occurrences of vandalism to steel fencing and gates, etc, paid for by public monies, in order to gain access. It's really important that all illegal off-road activity is reported to Greater Manchester Police, so they can be kept fully aware of the scale of the problem. This will make it more likely that resources can be allocated to addressing the issue.

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I dont disagree at all Dave, just a word of warning I suppose. Last time I reported off roading to the police call centre, the guy at the other end of the phone could not grasp the concept that I didn't have a road name!! I could give him the nearest roads but that didn't help. I'm not trying to be negative with the police here, its not easy trying to describe a piece of open ground to someone who has no idea where you are, but just a heads up to try to be as accurate as you possibly can if you are not on a well known site (i.e. Pennington Flash) and if its your local patch think about learning the grid ref - its at least a start point!!

While not strictly speaking a direct 'wildlife crime' in the usual sense of the term, the problem with unauthorised and illegal off-road vehicle activity on Bickershaw Rucks, referred to on the sightings thread for that site, definitely has an impact upon the site's wildlife, as well as to other users of the site and the general area. It's worth pointing out that the 4x4 activity isn't just people taking a chance and going on to an open site. It's has involved repeated occurrences of vandalism to steel fencing and gates, etc, paid for by public monies, in order to gain access. It's really important that all illegal off-road activity is reported to Greater Manchester Police, so they can be kept fully aware of the scale of the problem. This will make it more likely that resources can be allocated to addressing the issue.

Areas around amberswood have been set alight in recent weeks and 2 days ago gorse bushes along the old railway line were destroyed.

Several burnt areas at Carr mill dam too ... not sure if its part of the management but surely if it is then is this the best time of year to do it?!?

Here at the Dee Estuary we have a voluntary wardening schem for the Neston Reed Bed to try and deter, report and log any incidents as a few years back we had a large fire that burnt a lot of it down - this was just after bearded tits had nested there too

i noticed recently that there are areas of pennington flash that have had fires also, bring back the death penallty for these morans i think, it makes me sick

I have just come from the Sankey Valley and the kids / youths have burnt hundreds of yards of reed beds just as the reed warblers are looking to nest. I phoned the warden from Sankey Valley and he was sympathetic and aware of the problem. However his view was there is little you can do as warning signs are seen as a challenge and even going round the schools some are just not interested. They know the rangers patrols and when they are about. He even mentioned last year they set fire while a swan was nesting the mother swan refused to leave her eggs and burnt to death. The only thing that seems to work he said is public vigilance and reporting them before they can scarper. I will now always carry local fire brigade and local police on my mobile. My new motto? if in doubt report the buggers ! I have phoned the police on this incident and got a crime number.