Other Conservation and Sustainability Activities

In addition to duck ringing projects, habitat improvement projects and monthly bird counts, PDWA also get involved with many other conservation and sustainability activities, including:

Regular meetings and consultation on conservation and land management issues with Hesketh family (landowners).
Involvement in an annual litter pick on the tidal river at Howick with the Ribble Rivers Trust and The Preston Society: Birdwatching & Natural History. In addition to providing manpower we also provide vehicles and trailers to remove the rubbish collected.
Involvement with correct, safe routing and signage of Coastal Path to avoid disturbance of sensitive breeding and resting/feeding areas.
Monitoring of and objection to possibly disruptive planning applications – e.g. Wind Farm National Grid Connection/Sub Stations, Leisure Complex on North Bank of Ribble, possible new Bridge over the River Ribble at Howick.
Monitoring and policing of disturbance on the marshes and rivers e.g. jet skis, power boating, parties/raves, aircraft, angling, dog walking, off road cycling, camping.
Monitoring and policing of poaching and other illegal activities e.g hare coursing, unconsented shooting, sheep worrying.
Involvement with many local stakeholders – Lancashire Constabulary Wildlife/Rural Crime Unit, Ribble Rivers Trust, South Ribble Borough Council, Local MP, Lancashire County Council, Preston City Council.
Regular meetings and site visits with Natural England, including involvement in a Wildfowling Training/Awareness Workshop.
Liaison with other North West wildfowling Clubs via the North West Wildfowlers Forum – Southport WA, Lytham and District WA, Morecambe Bay WA, etc.
Holding an open day for the launch of Hutton Marsh Conservation Project – involving many local stakeholders and interested bodies.
Members active in other committees/projects.
BASC duck and goose wing survey to provide valuable age profile and population information on a variety of species.