So, onto the site...

Habitat

The Peat Pools is an area of shallow, flooded peat moss which is very susceptible to flash flooding and also to drying out although the recent inclusion of a sluice allows us some measure of water level control. It covers a rather small area and is now bordered by an embankment on it's western and southern sides, shielding it from the current sand and gravel extraction machinery and noise but to the north and east are open aspects with the Astley landfill site visible to the north and good views of Botany Bay Woods to the east.

Visiting

There are no restrictions of visiting times to the Peat Pools as we have been provided with our own path separating us from all quarry vehicles and associated machinery, but of course there is a not inconsiderable amount of disturbance to birds during working hours (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) so visiting before and after these times is more productive and weekends undoubtedly remains the prime visiting time. Viewing of the pools is provided from only one location which faces due south and this should be taken into consideration when considering what time to visit and whether you will be looking into the sun or not. All things considered, evenings remain the best time both for birds and the viewing of them at this site.

The birds

The area has attracted a couple of rarities in the shape of Greater Flamingo (May 2002) and Bufflehead (April 2004), but despite the variety of waders seen, Little Stint is about the rarest wader recorded here (so far).

 

Above: The Peat Pools' finest moment? The drake Bufflehead that chose perhaps one of the most unlikely locations it could for it's short stay (Photo by Rob Adderley).

Above: Curlews passing through the Peat Pools during mid-March.

Don't be surprised to see absolutely nothing on your visit and even on subsequent visits as the Peat Pools is generally very quiet, both myself and Pete Berry (the two most regular observers) make many visits with no reward but perseverance can often pay off in the end. Waders are the prime attraction and the site has recorded 22 species (up to April 2008) in the relatively short time it has been watched, the pools are probably the premier site in the county for Little Ringed Plovers and for Whimbrel passage in spring but pretty much any wader could and should be expected. Wildfowl also make an appearance and the drake Bufflehead of April 2004 remains the sites rarest visitor to date, pipits and wagtails also find the pools edges attractive, Buzzards are almost ever present over Botany Bay woods to the east and the pools provides one of the best chances of seeing Hobby in the county during late July and August especially, often attracted by the large Sand Martin colony nearby.

Above: A Whimbrel, something of a site speciality in spring, attempting to hide!

While the pools may appear very quiet on first look, there are many areas hidden from view and the only option is to stand and wait for the birds to move around and come into view, which they fortunately often do. Scanning all the visible margins is a must as waders are often well camouflaged and the use of a telescope is to be advised but don't forget to look up as the airspace above and over the pools and mossland to the east is prime for raptors.

Access

Access is off the East Lancs Road (A580), turning south onto Higher Green Lane. Follow this road over the canal, across the roundabout, past the woodyards, over the small brook and follow the road round to the left onto Rindle Road. Take the first road on the left (where Rindle Road bears to the right) onto Nook Lane, follow this to the obvious trees on the left and park ONLY HERE Pic.1. If parking around here is full (and space is limited, especially during the week when trucks utilise it) then space must be found along the grass verge on Rindle Road around the junction with Nook Lane or alternatively along the road around the woodyards at the bottom of Lower Green Lane just before the bridge over the brook.

Pic.1 Nook Lane leading up to the Peat Works, the ONLY car parking along this stretch of road is here on the left just after the pile of rubble.

Pic.2 The wooden gate just left of centre must be passed and the footpath to the pools runs off to the right alongside the metal fence with the red sign on it.

Pic.3 Cross the metal fence here just after the wooden gate to access the path in between the fences, note the shrubbery along the path has not been planted by us!

Pic.4 The path become very overgrown and can be a battle to get through, if it has rained expect to get wet legs! The vegetation along it though often holds finches and Tree Sparrows.

Fig.5 In places the path is very narrow and footing precarious, stick as close to the barbed wire fence as you can as the path is susceptible to crumbling under your feet!

After parking the car, continue walking down the lane past the peat works on the right, the small woodyard on the left and then past the access road to the quarry, DO NOT turn right down this quarry road. Go round or through (if it's open) the wooden gate Pic.2 at the end of the track and cross the wire fence on the right immediately on the other side of the gate, in between the metal railings and field Pic.3. Continue down this path Pic.4/5 that runs in-between the two barbed wire fences (it can be very overgrown in summer) until the path ahead is crossed by red and white traffic tape indicating that there is strictly no further access beyond this point Pic.6, walk to the left down the bank to the crossing point over the fence which is also indicated by traffic tape Pic.7. Cross the fence and then walk to the right keeping the fence close on your right side until you see a path running to your left through the field. Follow this path to the large Oak tree banded by yet more traffic tape and the clearing in the trees which is the viewing screen Pic.8. Please do not wander around the field anywhere but to and from the tree and access point through the fence. Viewing from the screen is limited and birds may be out of view but unfortunately this is our one and only access point so please persevere, the screen is very close to the pools and birds are often very wary so it is good practise to approach quietly.

Note: The path to the pools is precarious at times, often subject to collapse (usually right under your feet!) and is in no way suitable for wheelchair users, those of unsteady feet or restricted movement. Sturdy footwear or Wellingtons are often most suitable and visitors should note that they utilise this path at their own risk!

Only two birders, Pete Berry and myself, have authorisation to access the pools themselves (for habitat management, survey work and the necessary regular checking and altering of the water levels) and we would appreciate being informed if visitors see anyone around them, unless of course you know Pete or myself and it is one of us! ☺If you should encounter any problems with access, see birders wandering about the pools or works that obviously shouldn't be there and perhaps more importantly find a bloody good bird then please contact myself (on 07958 687481) or Pete Berry (on 07847310376).

Pic.6 At the end of the path the way is blocked by traffic tape and there is no access beyond this point, bear left here down the bank (following the tape) to the field.

Pic.7 The gap in the fence, indicated by the traffic tape, which must be crossed, then bear immediately right, following the fence until a trampled path veers off to the left and to a gap in the trees (visible on the image directly above the gap in the fence) and the viewing screen.

Pic.8 The large Oak Tree on the left is banded by traffic tape for visibility and identification and the viewing screen is just to it's right, the tree also affords some cover when it rains!

Above: The Peat Pools in 'all their glory' as they used to be before the current sand and gravel extraction developments (Photo by Judith Smith).

Above: The same view as the above photo taken in August 2008 showing the reason for these current access arrangements, but not the 4 barbed wire fences, 3 ditches, 3 embankments and metalled road in between the old viewing path and pools.

Above: No birds, wet legs, broken bones and biting insects, but there's still worse places to visit ☺