News from the Friends of Pickerings Pasture.
Remember to click on photo to enlarge it.
Colin John Williams
Many of you will remember that a body was discovered on the shoreline at Pickerings Pasture back in November. He was identified as a local Widnes man, Colin John Williams, who was well-liked in his community. It is not thought that Colin took his own life and the police are asking for information from anyone who saw him in the hours prior to his death.
Colin was described as being white, 5'10" tall and of medium build with shaved hair. He had a strong Liverpool accent. He was wearing a navy-blue ribbed, hooded jacket, dark jeans and Sketchers trainers. He was carrying a man-bag. The photo, reproduced from the police notice, is poor due to the rain.
If you saw Colin on Tuesday 13th November or during the early hours of Wed 14th, or know any information that could assist the police, please contact:
Widnes CID: 01244 350000 or
Crime Stoppers (anonymously): 0800 555 111
Colin was described as being white, 5'10" tall and of medium build with shaved hair. He had a strong Liverpool accent. He was wearing a navy-blue ribbed, hooded jacket, dark jeans and Sketchers trainers. He was carrying a man-bag. The photo, reproduced from the police notice, is poor due to the rain.
If you saw Colin on Tuesday 13th November or during the early hours of Wed 14th, or know any information that could assist the police, please contact:
Widnes CID: 01244 350000 or
Crime Stoppers (anonymously): 0800 555 111
** THEFTS FROM CARS **
There have been two thefts from cars in the Pickerings Pasture car park. Please do take care not to leave valuables in your car, particularly if they are on show!
We would like you to report any suspicious behaviour, please. If you do happen to become a victim always report the incident to the police, so they can arrange extra visits which will, at least, act as a deterrent. They are regularly visiting the hide area at the moment too.
In the run-up to Christmas such incidents are common everywhere so do TAKE CARE
There have been two thefts from cars in the Pickerings Pasture car park. Please do take care not to leave valuables in your car, particularly if they are on show!
We would like you to report any suspicious behaviour, please. If you do happen to become a victim always report the incident to the police, so they can arrange extra visits which will, at least, act as a deterrent. They are regularly visiting the hide area at the moment too.
In the run-up to Christmas such incidents are common everywhere so do TAKE CARE
"The buzzard was acting strangely: it flew low into the middle of the busy car park at Pickerings Pasture, perched, then dropped to the ground to hunt for a couple of minutes. Dog walkers and others were only feet from it." This happened at lunchtime on Saturday 24th when the carpark was quite busy.
The photographer Mike Roberts only had his large lens available, so had to back off to get the bird into focus!
The bird is still around and seems to be habituated to humans. Please take care if you have a dog loose near the car park, it may be tempted to give chase with upsetting results.
The photographer Mike Roberts only had his large lens available, so had to back off to get the bird into focus!
The bird is still around and seems to be habituated to humans. Please take care if you have a dog loose near the car park, it may be tempted to give chase with upsetting results.
© M. Roberts
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© M. Roberts
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© M. Roberts
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© M. Roberts
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The Mayor's Award volunteer’s activity took place on 24th November. This is the third year that the children have done volunteer work down at Pickerings Pasture. They were hard-working and a delight to be with.
This year they divided into groups: some cut down lots of bramble, others cleared leaves from the pathways and another set were taught to use saws and hammers while repairing some fencing. Another group set about decorating the Christmas Tree in the Visitors Centre. 
Two of the volunteers that came with the party prepared hotdogs for the children, which they enjoyed: something hot was needed after being out in a chilling November wind.
Our thanks to the children for their efforts and to the members of The Friends of Pickerings Pasture who gave up a Saturday morning to facilitate their visit. |
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Wow, this really looks like good fun!
But I do wonder if it is such a good idea to travel so fast, so close in to a Nature Reserve? And yes, I know I am biased towards the natural world but I would also have enjoyed the thrill of the ride. I was more than usually aware as, apart from scaring the birds on the edge of the marsh, they also missed hitting the seal on their way up the river. I only hope they are always so lucky. |
Renegade and Mad Ness.
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A 'logging' seal
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Tree Removal Towards the White Bridge
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We are sure many of you will have noticed the removal of trees on the bank of the riverside walk, towards the white bridge.
Earlier in the year The Friends of Pickerings Pasture, and many visitors, were very concerned at the work that was being done in this area: large amounts of wood chippings were left, two foot deep, covering the primroses, daffodils and other wild flowers. Some of the Friends group spent a considerable time removing these before the Spring. However, we have been assured that they are working to a Management Plan and only a certain section will be worked on this year: further work will be undertaken next year, thus giving the area time to recover itself and, more importantly, allowing the wildlife to adjust. Sympathetic woodland management: coppicing of trees and leaving dead wood, brush wood and thinning out a few trees, is ideal for increasing small insects, mammals and a rich flora. The team leader in charge of the tree removal also assured me that in January more berried shrubs and trees will be added. These will make the area more attractive to humans and, more importantly, the wildlife. |
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The new bench.
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A new bench has arrived to replace the one at the bottom of the slope overlooking the late-summer meadow. It has a dedication attached and looks very smart. No doubt it will be very well used.
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Grey seal at Pickerings.© I Igglesden
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A grey seal has been around Pickerings Pasture for several weeks now. It is usually seen near the car park on the tide but can be seen anywhere. It is regularly observed fishing. It is often mistaken for a log - but check logs: it may be the seal!
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Platform moving down-river.
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Lots of you will have seen this structure as it moved up and down the river passed Pickerings Pasture. Others may have seen it near the railway bridge at Widnes. The platform has been used over the last few weeks as they undertook some repairs on the bridge.
The Britannia Bridge was built between 1863 and 1868 and now, 150 years on, is a Grade 2 Listed Structure. It has been slowly refurbished over the last year or so. There is a very interesting article about it at: www.railengineer.uk R. Orme |
Sunday 6th September 2018. Kestrel Pellet Yesterday we found a kestrel pellet on the bird table. Today I enjoyed taking it apart and finding the bones enclosed in the matted fur. It contained two wood mouse skulls: if you look at the close up you can see the teeth. Also there were thigh bones, plenty of smaller leg bones, ribs and a few bits I couldn't positively identify. There is one clear vertebra and a couple of pieces but they were really difficult to find.
The kestrel pellet.
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The bones from the pellet.
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Close up of the lower jaws and skulls from two wood mice.
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The scrape at high tide.
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11th September 2018 Buzzard at high tide roost The buzzard sat on one of the fences opposite the hide for most of the high tide. It was scanning the ground continuously and would suddenly jump down, wings flailing and feet stamping. Up it came with a vole in its talons and it sat quietly for several minutes before flying off towards United Utilities. It soon returned for a repeat performance!
At one point a juvenile buzzard flew out from U U giving the food-call but we did not see it being fed, although it probably was on at least on occasions, as it stopped calling. |
The buzzard sitting on the fence with two cormorants beyond.
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Towards United Utilities.
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