Bird watching and the River Mersey
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WIGAN FLASHES ( Not just a flash in the pan)
Wigan Flashes are another oasis for birdwatching. Within easy reach of Wigan town centre, and covering an area over 593 acres, the Flashes have been described as Wigan's answer to the Norfolk Broads. Reed beds and willow scrub, fen, rough grassland, wet woodland , open water are home to a wide range of birds; upto 200 species have been recorded in the last ten years; an ideal place to spend a quiet afternoon.
The Flashes were formed by mining subsidence followed by water filling the sinking areas creating the flashes. The area was formerly a dumping site for colliery spoil and fly ash. When quarrying was abandoned the Flashes were left to nature, the scrub made inroads over the area and some parts of the reed bed dried out, the old coal mine spoil heaps were planted with trees creating woodland. The site has developed into a interesting and ecologically diverse habitat. It is home to a wide variety of plant, bird and other wildlife. Amongst the highlights are 6 species of rare orchid, wild flowers such as Common Spotted Orchid, Marsh orchids, Evening Primrose, Pale Toadflax, Vipers Bugloss, Wintergreen, Marsh Hellebore and Yellow Birds Nest, and over 200 bird species have been recorded including the Reed warbler, and the Holy Grail of birdwatchers the elusive Bittern. There are 7 flashes : Scotsman's Flash (also used for sailing), Pearson's Flash, Westwood Flash, Turner's Flash, Ochre Flash, Bryn Marsh and Horrocks' Flash. The Leeds - Liverpool Canal runs through the flashes, providing access via the towpaths, but beware only one footbridge.
The Flashes are known for their resident and overwintering waterfowl such as Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot, Pochard, Goldeneye, Gadwall, Cormorant and Great Crested Grebe. Breeding birds include Reed Bunting, Willow Tit, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Common Tern and Water Rail. In the woodlands and scrub, birds common to gardens such as Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Finches, Tits and Sparrowhawks, and the less common Redpoll & Redwing. The Flashes also provide very important feeding areas for bats and support large numbers of Noctule - the biggest bats in Britain, and Dubenton's Bat. Additionally, a wide variety of butterflies, 15 species of dragonflies and damselflies can be spotted in the area. Recognising the importance of the Flashes, Wigan Council has worked hard to develop and promote the site as an area of special scientific interest (SSI) and biological importance and as a recreational area. Along with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, RSPB, North West Water, English Nature and the Environment Agency they have embarked on an plan to improve reed beds at the Flashes by creating 'bittern-friendly' ditches to attract their favourite fish. Aiming for nearly three kilometres of ditching, and lowering the water levels in some areas by up to 75 centimetres to make the reed beds permanently wet. Improvements have already been made to the reed bed, and many birds such as reed warblers and water rails are using the newly-restored areas. Encouragingly a booming bittern was heard briefly in spring 2006 and bitterns have been seen on site through the summer.
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