Pennington Flash, near Wigan: not really a flash, more like a lagoon or even a lake! The forecast was good, and we set off in the village bus at 8.15 from The Ranger, arriving at 11am following a comfort break and negotiating a horrendous jam near Stoke.

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Viewing the lake from the car park, the pick of the wildfowl was a single Mandarin Duck and a lone Oyster Catcher. (On returning later a Great Crested Grebe was still feeding a well grown stripy headed youngster). We then followed the purple route anticlockwise, this path passing several lagoons with hides, a feeding station and views over a canal.

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The feeding station was graced by a splendid pair of Nuthatch, several Coal Tits and single Blue and Great Tits. Several Long-tailed Tits flitted amongst the trees. In the ditch several damselflies were present, including Willow Emerald. Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker and Southern Hawker dragonflies were also recorded. On the lagoons Teal, Shoveller, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Mallard were noted. Several Little Grebes with young indicated what was probably a good breeding season.

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Departing at 3.30 and despite a large hold up on the A50 we made The Cavendish Arms for an early evening meal. This venue is a favourite of ours and it did not disappoint.

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A mostly dry sunny day, enjoyed by Dave & Veronica, Sarah & Tim, Marie, Ian, Graham, Ivan, Liz, Jackie, Tony and Simon, our excellent driver.

 

Tony Wardell