Preston and District Wildfowlers Association
Preston and District Wildfowlers Association
“Conservation is Our Aim”
About us
Preston and District Wildfowlers Association (PDWA) was formed in 1953 by a group of likeminded wildfowlers and conservationists who wanted to bring under control the wildfowling on Longton and Hutton marshes and to conserve the saltmarsh and adjacent habitats for the species present.
The club is managed by an enthusiastic and dedicated committee who are committed to a sustainable future for the club. We are confident that we can continue to take a traditional, sustainable harvest from our natural resource as long as we conserve the habitats and species involved.
PDWA currently has 110 Full Members, a Junior Membership Section, and an active Waiting List. When vacancies arise, applicants from the waiting list are interviewed for Probationary Membership, which lasts for a minimum of two years before moving to full membership.
Probationary Members are required to participate in planned conservation work parties, to attend monthly BTO bird counts and to demonstrate safety and competence before they can progress to full membership. All Members are encouraged to continue to attend such events.
PDWA members can visit the marshes to pursue wild ducks and geese during the shooting season. The number of permitted visits and the number of birds allowed to be harvested are strictly controlled by the club. The times of day when hunting visits are allowed is also limited to allow wildfowl plenty of time to feed and rest.
Large sections of the tidal saltmarsh and non-tidal farmland that PDWA manage are designated as non-shooting sanctuary areas, where we implement many conservation practices to benefit both quarry and non-quarry species. Access to these areas is limited to help prevent disturbance.
During autumn and winter our marshes are home to many thousands of overwintering wildfowl and waders. We are proud that our marshes attract and sustain significantly important numbers of both quarry and non- quarry species. The main quarry species that we host include wigeon, teal, mallard, Canada geese, greylag geese and golden plover. Non-quarry species that benefit from and visit our marshes every winter include lapwing, curlew, redshank, oystercatcher, knot, dunlin, black-tailed godwit, shelduck, whooper swan, and peregrine falcon.
Most of our shooting takes place over shallow flashes on the tidal salt marsh at dusk and into the hours of darkness. Some shooting is at dawn. Quarry recognition is very important and is covered at interview and during probation. PDWA has a strict Code of Practice that all members must adhere to ensure high levels of sportsmanship and respect for our quarry.