Bird watching and the River Mersey
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PENNINGTON FLASH
At the turn of the 20th century, coal mining subsidence and flooding created what has now become known as the "Flash", an area located just off St Helens Road of the Greater Manchester town of Leigh. The 70-hectare lake is the centrepiece of this rare and beautiful country park. Now an extensive nature reserve with several bird hides and a network of tracks and footpaths. The old coal mine spoil heaps have been planted with trees which are now beginning to mature. There are many native trees including birch, alder, willow, oak and ash. Some conifers have also been planted especially larch. Footpaths wind in and out of these wooded areas, and alongside the main flash and lots of smaller pools. Some of these are overlooked by wooden hides. On cold days these are great places to sit and watch the bird antics. Pennington Flash Country Park is the place to learn your birdwatching. A premier birdwatching site in the North West England, over 300 bird species have been recorded on site including: Black-faced Bunting, Nightingale, Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill, and Leach's Storm-Petrel.. Additionally, a wide variety of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies can be spotted in the area. A variety of well-maintained paths cater for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Ideal for disabled persons the Flash's hides have ramps for wheelchair access. Facilities include a small information centre, pay and display parking, a children’s play area, picnic and recreation areas, fishing on certain shores, a mobile cafés and toilets.
When you first arrive you are confronted by a scene that is seen in every park, ducks and swans waiting to be fed. The most noticeable bird on the main lake is the Coot and the ubiquitous Canadian Goose.
There are many hides around the reserve which look out on
different habitats including wooded areas, reed beds and an open lagoon.
The lagoon is very sheltered and is a popular site
for Teal, Shoveller and Grey Heron. Reed Buntings are resident birds on the reserve,
breeding in the reed beds that are all over the site.
The popular Bunting hide feeding station attracts all kinds of birds from the flash including many from much further afield. Finches are common, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch; Recently like their escapee cousins in Surrey, parakeets have visited the peanut feeders. All feeding stations have their share of scavengers and this one is of no exception, Gt Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Squirrels and Magpies are regular invaders. As well as these birds Sparrowhawk and Water rail are also known to turn up. It is kept regularly stocked with a variety of different foods for the various species of bird that feed there.
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The Flash is signed from
Junction 23 of the M6 motorway and than towards Leigh. A
long track leads off the A572 St Helens road to the park.