PENNINGTON FLASH - Records Required for Strategic Masterplan
GM Local Record Centre said
Mon Nov 25 1:04 PM, 2019
A Pennington Flash recording form and compartments map are now available to download and print off for use in the field (see below). However, as we have limited capacity here, we would kindly request that, where possible, you submit your records online Pennington Flash Records If you don't have access to a computer or tablet then completed forms can be handed in at the golf shop, or use a friend's email and send to carbonlandscape@gmwildlife.org.uk
Please ensure that you record the compartment where birds were initially seen and then, if disturbed, the compartment they moved to. Over the weekend a Pennington Flash regular observed 243 Tufted Duck, 54 Great Crested Grebe and 43 Goldeneye flushed from the main flash (probably compartments 2 or 6) and relocating to Ramsdales Flash (compartment 3). So the best way to record this would be to enter records for both compartments with a note in comments explaining the reason for the birds' movement, a time would also be useful.
Whilst counts of the numbers of individual species are preferred, there is an option on the form to input mixed flocks as a single record e.g. if the gull roost is disturbed by a boat this can be submitted as Gulls and a count of the number of birds affected. Other options are: Ducks Goose Swan Waders
Thanks to everyone who has submitted records so far.
-- Edited by GM Local Record Centre on Monday 25th of November 2019 01:10:50 PM
Many of you will birdwatch regularly at Pennington Flash and will want to be involved in securing the long term future of one of Greater Manchester's premier bird sites. Some would say the premier site It is a grade A Site of Biological Importance (SBI) selected for its breeding and wintering waterfowl, as well as passage migrants. It actually qualifies as an SBI based on seven of the 12 bird selection criteria! See pages 57-60 of the SBI Selection Guidelines
Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles (IHL) working in conjunction with Wigan Council has commissioned Footprint Ecology to undertake an ornithological disturbance assessment for Pennington Flash. The study is set in the context of the ongoing process to develop a long-term strategic masterplan for Pennington that aims to build on the ornithological and biodiversity value of the site and enhance the quality of the visitor facilities. See the attached document for further details.
Footprint Ecology will be undertaking ten survey visits between November 2019 and August 2020 to map and systematically record the key bird interest. An incredible amount of data have been collected by bird recorders from the site over the years, and submitted to the British Trust for Ornithology (WeBS counts) the Leigh Ornithological Society and the Greater Manchester Bird Recording Group. These data are used by the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit who is responsible for reviewing the SBI status of Pennington Flash every five years and have also been provided to IHL and Footprint Ecology to inform the site masterplan.
However, there is a need for additional records which will provide more detailed information on the precise locations of birds using the Flash, at specific times of the day and year, and how they are affected by water based and other activities associated with public use of the site. To facilitate the collection of these records the Greater Manchester Local Record Centre has developed an online form Pennington Flash Strategic Masterplan Assessment for local birders to submit their records and also to record in a systematic way any incidents of disturbance. David Shallcross has already posted the link on the Pennington Flash Issues and Concerns thread. For Smart Phone users there will be posters on display in all the hides from next week with a QR code for you to scan. Paper bird recording forms will also be available in the hides for those who prefer more traditional recording methods
If you need any help with registering (optional) with the GMLRC website, using the web form, or have any questions about bird recording at Pennington Flash, please post on this thread, or get in touch via the forum, or by email carbonlandscape@gmwildlife.org.uk
Thank you in advance for your contribution to this important study.
Please ensure that you record the compartment where birds were initially seen and then, if disturbed, the compartment they moved to. Over the weekend a Pennington Flash regular observed 243 Tufted Duck, 54 Great Crested Grebe and 43 Goldeneye flushed from the main flash (probably compartments 2 or 6) and relocating to Ramsdales Flash (compartment 3). So the best way to record this would be to enter records for both compartments with a note in comments explaining the reason for the birds' movement, a time would also be useful.
Whilst counts of the numbers of individual species are preferred, there is an option on the form to input mixed flocks as a single record e.g. if the gull roost is disturbed by a boat this can be submitted as Gulls and a count of the number of birds affected.
Other options are:
Ducks
Goose
Swan
Waders
Thanks to everyone who has submitted records so far.
-- Edited by GM Local Record Centre on Monday 25th of November 2019 01:10:50 PM
Many of you will birdwatch regularly at Pennington Flash and will want to be involved in securing the long term future of one of Greater Manchester's premier bird sites. Some would say the premier site
It is a grade A Site of Biological Importance (SBI) selected for its breeding and wintering waterfowl, as well as passage migrants. It actually qualifies as an SBI based on seven of the 12 bird selection criteria! See pages 57-60 of the SBI Selection Guidelines
Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles (IHL) working in conjunction with Wigan Council has commissioned Footprint Ecology to undertake an ornithological disturbance assessment for Pennington Flash. The study is set in the context of the ongoing process to develop a long-term strategic masterplan for Pennington that aims to build on the ornithological and biodiversity value of the site and enhance the quality of the visitor facilities. See the attached document for further details.
Footprint Ecology will be undertaking ten survey visits between November 2019 and August 2020 to map and systematically record the key bird interest. An incredible amount of data have been collected by bird recorders from the site over the years, and submitted to the British Trust for Ornithology (WeBS counts) the Leigh Ornithological Society and the Greater Manchester Bird Recording Group. These data are used by the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit who is responsible for reviewing the SBI status of Pennington Flash every five years and have also been provided to IHL and Footprint Ecology to inform the site masterplan.
However, there is a need for additional records which will provide more detailed information on the precise locations of birds using the Flash, at specific times of the day and year, and how they are affected by water based and other activities associated with public use of the site. To facilitate the collection of these records the Greater Manchester Local Record Centre has developed an online form Pennington Flash Strategic Masterplan Assessment for local birders to submit their records and also to record in a systematic way any incidents of disturbance. David Shallcross has already posted the link on the Pennington Flash Issues and Concerns thread. For Smart Phone users there will be posters on display in all the hides from next week with a QR code for you to scan. Paper bird recording forms will also be available in the hides for those who prefer more traditional recording methods
If you need any help with registering (optional) with the GMLRC website, using the web form, or have any questions about bird recording at Pennington Flash, please post on this thread, or get in touch via the forum, or by email
carbonlandscape@gmwildlife.org.uk
Thank you in advance for your contribution to this important study.