Last night Friday 4^th September the 55^th Annual General Meeting took place in the Derby Room of Leigh Library. Much of the focus of this meeting was around the election of our committee considering recent retirements. We are more than happy to report that following his application, Mr. David Shallcross is now firmly back in the position of Chairman. Another new face on our committee is Mrs. Megan Swales who is to take over Joan’s role as Editor, welcome to the team.

Leigh Ornithological Society (LOS) have been honoured that Joan dedicated so much time to the role of Editor. Her work is prodigious. Not only did Joan edit the Newsletter, but Joan also sits front of house at our meetings collecting raffle money and purchasing the gifts for the raffle. Joan has also used her expertise out in the field, leading Nature Walks on behalf of LOS around Pennington Flash. Joan has also done work behind the scenes, chasing up memberships. It seems that with the amount of work and time that Joan has put into her role on the committee we may need to recruit another two people to equal it. Not only does Joan edit our bi-monthly newsletters, but she is also an integral part of Pennington Flash Volunteer Group providing morale boosting fruit cake. In all types of weather, you may see her with her litter picker sometimes escorting the younger members who attend in the holidays.  Yesterday it gave me great pleasure that I was able to recognise Joan’s dynamic commitment to LOS with over thirty years of service. Thank you, Joan.

Computer Wallpaper for September 2026 is a Tawny Owl by Keith Williams. Two dates that you should surely add to your diaries and mark off on this calendar are Friday 4th Sept. This is Leigh Ornithology Society's Annual General Meeting, while our first Field Trip of the 26/27 Season takes us to Cumbria Wildlife Trust's site, South Walney on the 13th September.
 

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 4^th 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.

 

 Notice of Derby Room Meeting and Field Trip for September 2026

Important: This is our Annual General Meeting, please make every effort to attend. 

 Leigh Ornithological Society members are now invited to enter their photographs for our 2027 Calendar. A panel will be formed to select the photographs to be used.

Please observe the following rules:

1. Photographs should be at least 300dpi (dots per inch) - Recommended 600dpi.

2. Format should be 210mm x 148mm (width x height).

3. File type: Jpeg, Tiff, Png

4. No watermarks.

For those photographs that go through to print, names will be credited, on the actual photographs.

Closing date for submissions is 20^th October 2026.

Important note: Photographs that do not meet the rules above will be excluded. I do not have the time available to edit photographs.

Questions should be directed to Kevin Forde at the address stated below or in person when you see me.

 

Files should be submitted to Kevin Forde by email to, leighos.publicity@gmail.com

 

Good luck.

The information on this notice has been updated: 06/08/2026

 

 

August's Computer calendar wallpaper is this spectacular Green Woodpecker with credit to Pauline and Ian Mellor-Greenhalgh.

From my understanding we could enjoy a local pair of these stunning birds in Lilford Woods. I believe we lost them during the building of the express bus route to Manchester. If anyone knows different please feel free to correct me.

I'll take the opportunity that I'll be asking for LOS Member's photographs for the 2027 LOS Calendar soon. I'd really like to be able to include a photograph of this bird taken locally so get out there with your cameras and watch out for the information regarding the submission of pictures.

 On Sunday 19th July 2026, Members from Leigh Ornithological Society took part in Pennington Flash National Day of Nature. Some of Young Birding Team were on hand entertaining our youngest visitors while Pennington Flash Volunteer Group demonstrated dead-hedging a task that has been undertaken to create a barrier and protect the Nature Park. Along with activities, a Nature Walk was organised with Joan and Jeff taking the lead while David imparted his knowledge as a "Guide in the Hide". All together a successful day. While not in the photographs also worthy of a mention are Martyn Jones, Paul Pennington, George Pike and myself, (Kevin Forde).

 

Pennington Flash Festival of Nature - Sunday 19 July 2026

Discover the amazing wildlife on your doorstep with family-friendly activities, nature-themed experiences, hands-on workshops and plenty of opportunities to explore one of the borough's most beautiful natural spaces. 

The 'Flashes Festival of Nature' will take place on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at Pennington Flash Nature Reserve in Leigh (WN7 3PA). This free family event runs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and celebrates the wildlife and ecology of the area.

Highlights of the day include:

• Billy the Blackbird Summer Trail: Families can pick up a trail map and a bag of bird feed from the Visitor's Desk for £2 to search for hidden birds.
• Wildlife Photography Workshops: Professional-level and smartphone photography sessions run by A.J.Critch Wildlife, meeting at the Charlie Owen Hide.
• Family Activities: Eco-crafts, walkabout entertainment, artisan stalls, and expert-led guided walks.

Entry to the festival is free, though specific workshops and trail items may require a small fee. You can find more specific details and workshop bookings on the Visit Manchester Flashes Festival of Nature Event page.

Leigh Ornithological Society will be attending leading several activities including 'Guide in the Hide' bird identification in Bunting Hide, a wild flower identification walk, a dead hedging demonstration by the Pennington Flash Volunteer Group, and activities for children in their main stand.

Come along and meet up to find out what the L.O.S. does and how you can join our friendly society and take part in our regular Friday night meetings at Leigh Library as well as our weekend field trip days.