People on the spit this afternoon clearing vegetation. Probably about 10% complete at 13:50, though I was viewing from the sailing club so there are areas which are out of sight for me. It looks a slow job, hopefully they'll keep going and have the resources to finish it this week.

Good thought, Andy

Typing "Pennington Flash" into TomTom gives the correct destination, so maybe it's Garmin that gives an ambiguous destination

Plan.TomTom.com

Maybe the sailing club would put up a sign at their entrance ?

Might be more of an issue with inbuilt Sat-Navs. I noted in the past my Skoda if I type in the place name "Pennington Flash" actually takes me to the sailing club (coming from South Warrington it routes me M6/A580 and then does make me turn at Lowton where the brown roadsigns are for Penny, but then takes me to the sailing club. If  I use the car park / cafe postcode it sends me through Warrington, A574 Birchwood/Culceth to past Bents and then back down the A580 from the east and onto the Leigh bypass. I'm not sure what system that runs on, looks Androidy. Doesn't adjust or allow any further text if I type more than just "Pennington Flash".

My wifes Honda (Garmin based inbuilt Sat Nav) also if you use the place name sends you down Green Lane then suggests you go 400yrds NE, smack bang to the centre of the Flash! As it does with the car park postcode but only 200yrds into the Flash itself (I think it picks the geographic centre of the postcode.......we suffer with that for deliveries as we are in a curve of the Canal in S Warrington and the geographical centre of the postcode is the other side the canal even though the tarmac driver drive on is a different road name and has its own postcode also!.

I've checked the postcodes for every hide & feature - they're all correct, apart from Tom Edmondson hide, which bizarrely refers to a road in Pennington village. I doubt that's caused the problem

It would be worth stopping a couple of the drivers, and asking them what postcode they're using and where they got it. That way the problem can be resolved at its origin. My guess is some pamphlet or website used the wrong code & needs fixing asap. A roadside sign would help too

It's always good policy to keep the locals happy

Green Lane is WA3 1BQ (includes club & farm), also WA3 1BH

"Swim Pennington" is WA3 1BJ

Byrom Lane is WA3 1BP, WA3 1BL, WA3 1BW

Sandy Lane is WA3 1BA, WA3 1DQ, WA3 1DR

(I used Postcode Finder - Find an address Royal Mail Group Ltd and Google Maps)

The volunteer group will be at Ramsdales Hide tomorrow 9-30 in the car park 

It would be the best thing to do, but maybe it doesn't bother them

It seems to me to have gotten worse since the redevelopment of the cafe / playground, yesterday there was a queue of cars waiting to turn round at the end house. Almost all of them turn there. Imagine 10-30 cars / hour turning at the entrance to your drive. I often wonder why the residents don't put up a sign but they haven't so far. 

I've checked the AA and TomTom websites, and they both get it right. Maybe these people just see the water & think they've found the entrance?

It needs to be resolved, as the residents might start getting annoyed at genuine visitors too

Perhaps the residents should put up a sign at the top of the road (or ask the Council to!) giving the correct postcode - WN7 3PA

Most birders who visit the flash won't be aware of this, and there's absolutely nothing we can do about it, but the number of cars that drive down Green Lane thinking that they're heading for the main car park but then have to turn around and leave is amazing. One of the residents told me that at least 20 cars a day do it, another said it was more like 100. I guess that it must be somewhere in between, but every time I visit around midday there's always at least 4 or 5 arrive, turn around and leave. Today I called in for 30 minutes early afternoon and counted 15 cars in that time, so around 30 cars / hour. All of them drive down to the end house, stop, look confused, turn around and leave. Admittedly it's bank holiday today, but multiply that number by 4 or 5 hours and you can easily see that 100 cars a day could easily be achieved at the weekend and probably more. I'm assuming that most if not all of these people have never been to the flash before because surely you wouldn't make the same mistake twice.  

As I said, nothing we can do about it and it doesn't effect wildlife or birding at the flash, I'm just mentioning it for interest, but it must drive the locals mad. About 1 in 5 of these cars put the window down and ask the way to the car park. I frequently get asked.

I assume that it's a SatNav problem, though I must say that whenever I go somewhere new, I don't just enter the name of the place into my SatNav, I go into satellite view, find the car park and get directions to there. 

Ramsdales looks a lot better David, well done everybody.

The volunteers have been removing willow growth from two outer islands in front of Ramsdales, next Wednesday the 28th we are attempting clearance in front of the hide, it needs a machine on there really but we'll do our best.

we will then move on to the spit again, clearing and LWT will spray it. that's around the 11th sept

All are welcome to join us.

Dave Wilson, founder member of the L.O.S. has reminded us that today was the 53rd Anniversary of the L.O.S. He wrote this piece for the 50th Anniversary:

At this exact time, half-past-seven, fifty years ago tomorrow, Frank Horrocks and six lads in their late twenties gathered in the Britannia Inn on St. Helens Road in Leigh to talk about forming a society which would promote the case for the conservation of Pennington Flash.  This was not the first attempt at forming a local conservation group, for in 1938 Tom Edmondson, although still a pupil at Leigh Boys Grammar School, had brought together three friends with an interest in birdwatching to consider creating a naturalists recording group.  This ambitious move would hopefully evolve into a group with wider objectives, most notably preserving and protecting the countryside, but the beginning of the Second World War brought the venture to a disappointing end, and later attempts, in 1948 and 1958, to follow a similar course towards the conservation of Pennington Flash came to nothing!

And so to the early Spring meeting in the Britannia Inn!  As I recall, there was no proven specific threat to the flash at that time, but an uneasy feeling that the future was unpredictable and that if we could achieve some form of protective status for the flash it would counter any unwanted development and prevent the adverse effects of power-boating and shooting on what the short-lived 1958 initiative had advocated - to create an area of undisturbed natural beauty.

In those distant days, the flash was not watched on most winter days and many appearances went unrecorded!  The seven friends who came together were all in full-time employment, but some still managed to make brief visits. In the preceding 1970-71 winter, typical features of the flash were the wintering flocks of hundreds of predominantly drake Pochard, large gatherings of Common Snipe and occasional visits by Short-eared Owls to the north bank grasslands. My diary informs me that in the days following the Britannia meeting 5 Garganey arrived, 12 Wigeon passed through and, unexpectedly, Ruff and Red-necked Grebe made brief visits in the last few days. By the end of the month, Skylark and Meadow Pipit songs dominated the north bank choruses and Spring was well under way.

The Britannia meeting lasted for over an hour!  There had been some worries about what the proposed development of Pennington Flash, presumably by Leigh Corporation and Lancashire County Council, would entail, though what  the exact details of the development were eludes my memory!  What is clear, and is documented in the very first Society minutes book, is that Charlie Owen suggested that our group should bear the title Leigh Ornithological Society; there would be an annual Leigh Bird Report; and I was to write to Leigh Corporation and Lancashire County Council expressing our concerns about plans for the flash. At the second get-together, Charlie was appointed Treasurer and I was appointed Secretary; the initial subscription was to be 5/-; Roy Rhodes was to design and supply headed note paper!  We were on our way, uncertain and cautious of how we would proceed, but, for four of us, there was a compulsive determination to give our all to pursue rhe mission to help conserve the varied flash habitats. We were also to widen our horizons by going public and adding meetings and publications to our aims towards involving like-minded supporters in what would be a service to the general public and wildlife alike!  Fifteen members contributed towards the 1971 Report, 24 to the 1973 Report and double that by 1975.  The Derby Room in Leigh Library became almost a spiritual home. Attendances at Friday evening meetings soon exceeded 100 and twice reached 132; membership rocketed throughout the Leigh area; and individual Committee members worked tirelessly towards safeguarding important local sites - the late Raymond Yates at Low Hall Park; Tony Middlehurst at the Wigan Flashes; the late Alban Wincott at Doffcocker and Rumworth; Ken Green and Brian Derbyshire at sites in Chorley; the late Peter Barlow at Risley Moss; and Roy Rhodes at Astley Moss and Hope Carr.

And so to the present! The indefatigable David Shallcross and Paul Richardson are committed to promoting the conservation cause throughout the area; Joan Disley and Eddie King continue their dedication to producing excellent publications; and, over the years, members too numerous to mention have enhanced the Societys reputation in the fields of education, site visits and, perhaps most of all, in extending the hands of companionship and friendship to old and young from many walks of life.

In conclusion, an opportune meeting two days ago dispelled some of my worries about what has been happening at Pennington Flash, and the next half century is likely to bring long-awaited benefits for all - with a state-of-the-art visitor and information centre, adequate on-site staffing and the prospect of becoming an integral part of the proposed National Nature Reserve!  In the fulfilment of this vision, I trust that present Society members will be involved in deciding what should happen - as informed participants in a grand vision rather than passive onlookers at what others may deem to be appropriate!

What would Tom Edmondson, Frank Horrocks and many other dear departed friends have thought of these forthcoming goings-on?  Hopefully, I and many of my contemporaries, will be able to witness the long-term benefits of this welcome initiative, grateful that the Societys original intentions and the commitment of countless members have been rewarded.

Covid restrictions prevent any form of a celebratory Britannia reunion on our anniversary date, but I am fortunate to live close to the flash and tomorrow, at half-past-seven, I intend to spend a short time by Pennington Brook and recall the events of fifty years ago.  The bypass now blocks my view of the flash, but Ill look towards Byrom Hall and think of a young Tom Edmondson making his way there to meet his boyhood friend, John;  Ill allow my memory to transport me to the north bank and join Frank Horrocks, lighting his pipe, sheltered from the wind behind a cinder bank, and enjoying a conversation about what to look back on, what to look forward to, and the musical pleasures offered to us both by Beethoven, Schubert and Sibelius!  And, certainly, my minds eye will take me through the wooded brook bank to the towering Pennington church and, just beyond it, the Britannia Inn, the cradle of some young mens aspirations half-a-century ago.  Im pleased that I was part of the movement to conserve a special place - but even more pleased that there are so many present Society members determined to continue working towards guarding and enhancing a vital part of our cherished wild heritage!

Excellent, thanks David. 

Hello, David.

We have removed all of the window flaps today and will look at getting them altered similar to how they are in Ramsdales.

Thanks.

Joe.

Thank you Colin  I'm not taking as criticism, I know most people understand what I/we are doing. I'll email Joe and Amanda  about the danger of the hide windows

Hi David, the issue with the hide was reported over a week ago by photographers. I'm not holding my breath, it will take a head injury to a child before they do anything, and that will probably be to close the hide rather than fix it. Apparently the 'team' of rangers is down to one or two now with others being sent off to other sites around the area. That's what I've been told.

Please don't take this as a criticism of the work of the volunteers, where it not for you the place really would be in dire straights. I just believe that a so called National Nature Reserve shouldn't have to rely on volunteers for habitat management and creation, you guys should be there to help out not to do everything. For one thing you don't have the tools to do the serious work that is required.

yes Colin the issue of window catches should be reported to the Cafe/ park staff. regards vegetation on the spit, that has grown since the end of March when we last cleared it. we won't go on again until migrants have gone September time

As volunteers we are doing are best it's a small group and non of us are young anymore and as you know its a big big site to cover.

Horrock's hide is now almost unusable bordering on dangerous. The windows all have shutters that lift up and are held in place by latches. The latches have been deliberately broken or removed on 5 of the 7 windows. Sometimes the shutters will stay up without the latch but there's a good chance it will crash down on your head. Fortunately you can't really see anything from Horrock's in any case due to the neglect of the habitat in front of the hide, so almost pointless going in. 

The clearing of the Spit is now over for this year until it's safe to go back on at the end of the year. When we should only need to spend a day on it, thanks to everyone who helped. And birders thanks for your understanding 

Thank you, Colin, we have another section to do next week then we will leave it alone till next back end, we will be doing other things though

Sterling work by the LOS volunteers today, continuing the clearance of vegetation from the spit and surrounding area. Great work everybody, I thought it was lost forever 12 months ago.

Info on the situation of the Pond Green Lane end.

I discussed with the Council yesterday about the filling in of the water body that Colin told me about.

the council solicitors have been in touch with the owners and have stopped any further work on it. They will have to make everything good and put it back to how it was before. It's taken a while but got there in the end.

Another matter, the Volunteer group are going on the spit the first week in February to sort out the invasive tree/vegetation growth, we have also got LTNC involved to help. I will be asking for the public's help with this and hope some birders and photographers come along. (exact date later)

Unfortunately I didn't go that way today. Got a dicky ankle at the moment so accessed Horrock's hide from the main car park, then drove to Common lane to access the ruck in the afternoon. I'm sure it will be good though.

Originally posted today by David Shallcross:

is the view from the leaning post any better now, after our recent work

Volunteer morning on Wednesday 9-30 at the compound or 10 am at Ramsdale's

Thank you Craig I have filled it in.

PF draft management plan comments please

Thanks for all of your efforts David. I've called into the office myself a few times to keep reminding them. To be fair, they said they'd do it and they have, so far so good.

thanks Colin, it's taken some pushing, badgering etc, the promise is that it will be kept clear.

The spit is currently being cleared! From the boat club it appears to be about 70% complete which is not bad since they hadn't even started at 10:30. Hopefully by the end of tomorrow it will be completely clear and will be kept clear into the foreseeable future.

Hi David, 

I'm not sure that I quite understand you. You suggest "we bite the bullet and get on with clearing it" which seems to imply that you're looking for volunteers,  but then further down say "The Council has allotted funds for a contractor to do the hard work on there". Could you just clarify this for me.

Thanks

Colin, the Enviroment Agency "may" be interested in this activity.

Fishermen at the top of the spit this morning. Completely ignoring the Nature Reserve keep out signs of course. 

Yes I have seen that Craig, I have sent a link to the council and will raise this at the next meeting, thank you for your message

thank you Colin, we will attempt to clear the view in front of Ramsdales as soon as I'm fit, hopefully, next week I've had a few pobs this last 6 months

Thanks David. I've just been to Horrocks hide, it's not open yet but the work looks complete.  Apparently it just needs cleaning out then should be open today or tomorrow, so I'm told.

Some repairs have been done to Ramsdales and FRH hides,

The spit is a disaster, still hasn't been strimmed, the contractor arrived yesterday and said the water was too high for him to get onto it.

I have had a meeting with the Council today, the contract has been given to Lancs Wildlife Trust to clear the Spit before the breeding season, I have also been in touch with LWLT to try to gee them on.

I don't know what more i/we can do it's like banging my head against a wall as the saying goes! Do any of the birding community write in to complain ? 

Still no sign of the work at the flash being completed, Horrocks hide remains closed for coming on 3 months now for the sake of a new wooden ramp, the spit is still badly overgrown approaching the breeding season.  Nothing changes, they call it a NNR  but nature and wildlife is still bottom of the list.

There is a meeting open to all at the turnpike next Wednesday at 4 pm to discuss Pennington and the NNR

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/turnpike-drop-in-community-voices-for-the-flashes-national-nature-reserve-tickets-461657970417