Not sure what's the best course of action but something needs to be done for the last 2 days there's not been any food whatsoever at approx 12.30 apart from peanuts in the feeders (that's assuming that they're being replenished at weekends)

Grey Squirrels are a big problem at Pennington and some form of control is required, it's a problem created by us feeding birds I know and It's time to act so ..what does everyone feel should be the best way to do this. 

 

should the cages go back on the bird tables ?  

Or should a shooter be employed 

I think i would prefer that method rather than the trap

John Watson wrote:

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re squirrels, another local nature reserve used to hire a shooter to remove them a couple of times each year, eg early spring. The squirrels kept coming back (not the same individuals, that would have been a little spooky), but the management process kept on top of them. They didn't publicise or blog what they did, obviously, though I think the public heard about it somehow.

An alternative is to catch & either dispatch (rules about this) or relocate - there are special long traps for this. As with rats, they don't like being caught & have incredibly sharp teeth. And no, I haven't dealt with them before anyone asks.

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I think its illegal to release squirrels elsewhere if you trap then,killing them is the only option.My neighbour traps them and drowns them in his water butt,that way you don't get bitten.One of my other neighbours shoots them with his air rifle,and next doors cat kills them on a regular basis(as well as anything else than moves).However in spite of this mass carnage we still get regular visits by them eating all the sunflower seeds intended for the birds,kill one and another one takes its place !!In Scotland you have to report any sightings of Grey Squirrels which are promptly dispatched to protect the Red Squirrel population.

Not entirely Pennington related, but thought I'd mention it anyway...I wrote to two of my local Councillors and my MP last week following an unsavoury incident that happened at Three Sisters. I have complained about the lack of supervision at Three Sisters, Pennington and Orrell Water Park, along with the general lack of maintenance and care that these sites have received since the (in my opinion) ridiculous decision to axe the countryside service in Wigan. I have mentioned this thread in my email along with some other 'stuff' about popularity etc etc. So far I have been contacted by one of my Councillors, who was very concerned by my email, and also by my MP. Much more promising than when I emailed the relevant Leigh MP's last year, none of whom bothered to reply. I have stated in my email that this is not the fault of those trying to work under difficult circumstances, more the councils whole approach to its countryside sites. We'll see where it goes.

Great teamwork John and David for highlighting and acting on the issue. Great to see it taken in good part by the Fire Service too - excellent letter! Good also to see the notices about not fishing in the nature reserve are still surviving - at least until windy stormy Barney went through!


Bunting Hide makes a great case for Grey Squirrel contraception at the moment - no less than FOURTEEN squirrels were squatting on and around the feeders at 10.30 this morning. Small almost seem to be doing better at the mini-feeding station at Pengy's!

-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Tuesday 17th of November 2015 09:34:58 PM

David Shallcross wrote:

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Leigh Ornithological Society (formed 1971)   

 

Hi all regarding the Fire Service incident at Pennington over the weekend, when rescue boats strayed into the reserve part of the water.

 

i emailed the station manager highlighting the disturbance caused. He was quick to reply and we have since had a discussion by telephone, to work out a protocol for future training so they don't coincide with either sailing regattas and most importantly monthly WeBS counting.

 

I will provided a contacts list for them, so hopefully it won't happen again.  Below is the Station Managers explanation (for security reasons i have removed his contact details)

 

Dear Mr Shallcross,

 

I have spoken to the crews involved in the training exercise on Pennington flash over the weekend, and they informed me that they had inadvertently strayed into the green marker buoys due to lack of knowledge of what this demarcation meant, upon this a safety vessel from the sailing club raced to the boat crew and informed them that they were in the nature reserve section of the flash, upon hearing these instructions they manoeuvred out of the area, also to my knowledge no crews purposely strayed into any environmentally delicate areas.

 

I can only apologise at any upset caused, and inform you that our crews would not intentionally cause distress to wildlife as this goes against what Firefighters and our Service represents.

 

The organiser of the training had tried numerous departments within Wigan Borough Council to ask for permission to use the flash, but he had no luck, if you have such contact details and would be kind enough to share these with me so we can ensure that this does not happen again I would be very appreciative.

 

The training coincidentally was to further enhance the skill sets of our boat crews for National and International deployments into flood stricken areas to render humanitarian services to people and animals in distress, I can assure you our crews are highly professional and sensitive to environmental issues.

 

If you are still unhappy with my response please do not hesitate to contact me and we can discuss this further.

 

Once again my apologies on behalf of Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service.

 

Kind regards        Station Manager

 

 

David Shallcross

Chairman, 

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  Excellent response,thanks David for taking the time to sort it out,and looking at the response it could have been avoided if Wigan Metro had taken the time to give them advice on where they could go for the least disturbance on the flash.We all need these people, who do a great service in dangerous conditions,I wouldnt have liked to have been on the flash this weekend in that rain and gales. I only mentioned the disturbance as I knew that in future it would make a difference.

 

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 17th of November 2015 07:06:34 PM

i have been in touch with the Fire Service who have responded very promptly, apologising for the infringement, i will post the response here if i get permission to do so. (in my opinion all correspondence to me  is private)

-- Edited by David Shallcross on Tuesday 17th of November 2015 10:38:08 AM