Come limp with me……round Pennington Flash

28.1.12

Confined by circumstance (in the shape of my knee operation) the high hills and low dales of the Peaks and Lakes were out of reach for a weekend or two. However it takes more than a bad Long John Silver impression to stop a dedicated walker from getting out and about so the gentle trails and bird hides of Pennington Flash seemed an ideal choice, especially with the Bacon Butty van overlooking the main pool there to provide sustenance. It was also, fittingly, the weekend of the Great British Birdwatch and there is little that better enhances a walk than the sight of some beautiful birdlife, we weren’t to be disappointed.

Pennington Flash is a 173 acre lake on the site of the former Bickershaw Colliery. The Flash is an excellent example of an urban nature reserve and a fantastic spot for a stroll on cold, Wintery morning with just a touch of frost still on the ground. It was busy with families and dog walkers and very different from the wilder walks of the previous week or two, but having made gentle progress in the direction of the Bunting Hide we weren’t to be disappointed. Bullfinches, Long Tail Tits, Reed Buntings and Redwings were amongst the highlights and it proved to be a fantastic spot for Ruth to get in some photography practice with her new zoom lens. We meandered on along the side of the Flash to a second hide overlooking a sandy spit covered with Cormorants, Lapwings, Black headed Gulls and with a pair of Teal and another of Goosander to keep the interest up.

We barely covered a mile and there was no incline and yet as a stroll, rather than a walk, it was a very pleasant way to spend a peg legged Saturday morning.