Charlie Owen would have been ecstatic about Pennington Flash’s most recent visitor. A Glossy Ibis spent a few days on the water forward of the hide named after him. These birds are not common in the UK. As part of the Spoonbill family, they have an iridescent green and purple plumage frequenting habitat similar to that of egrets and herons.

If you have been along to see this bird at Pennington Flash and have an interest in birds, Leigh Ornithological Society have their first meeting on Friday 4th September 2026 at 07:30pm in the Derby Room, Leigh Library, WN7 1EB.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Coombes, inset of Charlie Owen with thanks to John Tymon.