Explore Pennington Flash - Part of the Flashes National Nature Reserve
Pennington Flash is the most southerly of the clusters of sites that is part of the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh National Nature Reserve (NNR). Pennington Flash is an iconic wildlife site for the people of Leigh, with 200 hectares of open water surrounded by fen, reedbed, scrub and woodland. Like much of Wigan and Leigh the reserve was formed as a result of coal mining subsidence.
Over 230 species of bird have been recorded including with black-faced bunting, nightingale, cattle egret, whiskered tern and Leach’s petral. Leigh Ornithological Society also support local children to engage with the site with their “birder introduction” species including willow tit, kestrel, mute swan, great crested grebe, canada goose, blackbird, mallard, chaffinch, grey heron and lapwing. In addition to a variety of fascinating invertebrates including sixteen species of dragonfly and twenty species of butterfly.
Learn about the Fenscape and national innovation in reedbed and wetland improvements.
The site is owned by Wigan Council and managed by the BeWell programme. The site has an active Friends group “Pennington Flash Volunteers” which are part of Leigh Ornithological Society.
Useful info
There is an extensive carpark, seven bird hides, a small children’s play area, cafe and picnic benches. The toilets are open during daylight hours. Some of the paths allow horse riding and cycling. Sailing and windsurfing activities are run by Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club.
Pennington Flash Country Park entrance opposite the Robin Hood, 257 St Helens Road (A572), Aspull Common, Leigh, WN7 3PA.
Useful info
There is an extensive carpark, 7 bird hides, a small children’s play area and picnic benches. The toilets are usually open during daylight hours. Some of the paths allow horse riding and cycling. Sailing and windsurfing activities are run by Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club.
Address
Off the A579, Leigh, WN7 3UG
