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Site Information Hale Marsh and Pickering's Pasture are located to the east of Hale Village between Hale and Widnes.  Halegate Marsh covers an area of 345 , the marsh is flooded on high tides which reach up to the road on such occasions. There is no access on to the marsh itself, which can be viewed from Withins Way from Hale Village and from the road between Hale and Halebank, and from the hide at Pickerings Pasture LNR  Halebank. Good numbers of Teal feed along the creeks on the marsh and flocks of waders may be seen roosting on the marsh (Golden plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin). Flocks of up to several  hundred Canada geese roost on the marsh during high tides with Black tailed Godwit an increasing sight.   In recent years a small number of Bewick and Whooper swans have stayed on the marsh during the winter.  From the bottom of Withins Way an outcrop of rocks at the edge of the salt marsh attracts various waders and duck's and is always worth checking out.  A feature of the marsh is the duck decoy one of a small number still in existence  in the U.K. access is restricted. Halton Rangers organise occasional public visits places are limited and need to be booked in advance.  Nearby  Pickering's Pasture a former land fill site has  been reclaimed  and an excellent wildlife area created in its place. The wildflower meadows make a colourful sight through the spring and summer justifying  a visit just to see  them alone and the many butterflies they attract.  The reserve has wide views across the River Mersey and offers great opportunities for birdwatching. It is a peaceful place where people can enjoy quiet walks, picnics and wildlife watching. The Pickering's Pasture Visitor Centre presents information about the variety of wildlife interest on the site.         Hale Duck Decoy   The Hale Duck Decoy, owned by Hale estates, is an important Scheduled Ancient Monument. Constructed in the seventeenth Century as a method of attracting and catching ducks, the Hale Decoy is the only surviving one in the North West and one if only three remaining in the country. The Decoy is in the shape of an irregular pentagon, five arms known as decoy pipes, about 20metres long radiate from the pond into the woodland. The decoy is surrounded by a 5 metre wide moat. A continuous clay bank has been formed around the edge as a barrier against high spring tides, although this was breached on 1991, causing considerable damage. A small bridge crossed the moat.    A duck decoy was an ancient method of catching ducks for food, consisting of a pond where ducks swam underneath a series of hoops and net, attracted by a small dog running along the bank. It is thought the ducks regard the small dog as a predator such as a fox, and swim towards it as a method of drawing attention away from nesting or resting areas. A few records remain about the catch numbers the largest being 1,160 ducks in 1875. Decoy dogs were known as pipers, mainly retrievers, popular breeds were the Dutch cage dog the Kooikerhond and the Nova Scotian Duck Toller. Both have reddish coats and may look like foxes to ducks. The decoy is also part of the Mersey Estuary that is designated for it's nature value, and International Ramsar site and SSSI for it's safe feeding and roosting area for large numbers of wading birds and ducks.   The site has an abundance of dead timber this is due to the sea defences being breached in 1991 which led to salt water entering the freshwater on the reserve. A lot of trees in the centre of the reserve died,  however the upside of this disaster meant the Gt Spotted Woodpecker now find it easier to breed on site. Approx 100 new young trees have been planted on the site.  Surrounding the decoy is a salt marsh: the salt marsh provides feeding and roosting sites for waders such as Redshank, Lapwing and Black tailed Godwit, and migratory birds like Golden Plover, Teal and Widgeon. There are 2 hides on the decoy, one looking onto the inner pond of the decoy, the other onto the marsh. The decoy  has benefited from a lottery grant which has helped restore the decoy; pipe number 4 has been reconstructed to a working decoy complete with new netting and pipes. Educational facilities/plaques are in place and guided tours are conducted by a member of the parks an countryside staff.   Pickering's Pasture  & Hale Duck Decoy- 0151 425 4706,  Email Rob.smith@halton.gov.uk Parks and Countryside - 0151 424 2061 ext 4061  Halton Wild spaces   :  Natural Environment News & Events   The Friends of Pickerings Pasture Find out what the friends are up to with Ranger Rob, whether they be planting, cutting back, looking after bird hides, nest box building or just birdwatching with you. Make a friend, become a member or go explore the decoy....

Bird list for recent field trip Nov 06 - Hale Decoy & Pickerings Pasture.   Black headed Gull,  Blue Tit, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Cormorant, Golden Plover, Great black backed Gull, Great spotted Woodpecker,  Greenfinch, Grey Heron,  Herring Gull, House Sparrow,  Kestrel, Lapwing, Lesser black backed Gull, Long tailed Tit, Magpie,  Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher,  Redwing, Shelduck, Song Thrush, Starling,  Stonechat, Teal,  Woodpigeon.   RSPB Regd charity no 207076