Geoff Hargreaves wrote:wayne,i,m only jealous but where did you see the woodpkr i still need it for my county list
cheers geoff
Geoff,
It landed on a tree near the railway bridge that crosses the canal near Horrock's Flash (on the other side of the canal). It stopped, pecked the tree twice, and then flew off over the railway bridge, across the canal in the direction of Turner's Flash. A shame it didn't stay longer.
Trying to predict how long the bird will remain is a bit of a fruitless task. However this is it`s fourth week in residence so I don`t see why it shouldn`t remain a little longer. Saying that it could take flight at anytime really ! Just keep watching this forum for up-dates. I`m hoping to go sometime this week, so I`ll post any sighting. Good luck if you go !
Don`t worry at all about walking round Wigan Flashes, especially along the canal. As Geoff says there`s always plenty of people about - dog walkers, joggers, fishermen, and the odd birder ( that`s Geoff. Odd being the operative word. )
if you park up in stratton drive platt bridge against the playing fields .at the bottom is a path leading down to the canal turn right when you get to canal and horrock,s is a 10minute walk ,don,t be put off by the rubbish strewn path(Travellers long gone)and we,v not had any car crime for ages.There plenty of regular visitor,s to the flash and I have not heard of any problem,s so go enjoy the smew
I would really like to go and see the smew at Horrocks Flash but I was wondering if anyone knew a quicker way of getting there instead of walking from the little car park near the canal lock. I'm not lazy (honest!) but I parked there today but got really freaked out walking along the canal with all my gear and no one around!
)