SLAVONIAN GREBE ON MIDDLETON WOOD POND

MIDDLETON WOOD

SLAVONIAN GREBES

Slavonian Grebes are scarse birds in Britain with a few pair nesting on Lochs alongside the A9 between Aviemore and Inverness. It is mainly a winter visitor with most birds probably from Scandanavia and as such, it is not common in the North West of  England. On average we recieve maybe one report every other year in North Lancashire, usually on the sea and rarely at a range when it is possible for a lot of people to see it or indeed obtain photographs even in this 'digiage'

A slowly increasing number of wildfowl are taking advantage of these ponds at Middleton with tufted duck numbers reaching 29 and occassional visits from scarcer species such as Scaup and Garganey. Please, therefore, try not to flush the birds when you visit the site. Off-lead dogs are the main problem. 

Thank you

Peter Marsh

MIDDLETON WOOD

Commonly known as Middleton Wood. Middleton wood is in fact a previous oil refinery located in a coastal position adjacent to Heysham and neighbouring the small parish of Middleton.

Previously owned jointly by Shell and ICI the oil refinery was developed to produce avaiation fuels for the war effort. After the war the site continued to produce avaiation fuel, oils and other chemicals. With the onset of larger refinery installations elsewhere and Middleton's relative isolation the decision was taken to close the site in the late 1970's. In the early 80's Lancaster City council purchased the whole site amounting to some 100ha with the intention to establish land for industry and business parks. However, due to the complexity left over from the oil refinery this vision was never fulfilled.

Over the subsequent years the Council has found itself in a position whereby limited funds has meant the land has remained un-reclaimed except for the demolition of buildings and structures.

Following a successful grant application in 2000, the City Council has been able to clean up an area of the site, remove hazards and reclaim the site as woodland. Some 16ha have now been restored and provide a habitat for a wide range of species, some naturally rare.

The wood is now an established community facility and is widely used by local people as well as a study for nature lovers.

Whilst Middleton Wood is a large site it is a rare example of how nature can naturally reclaim a site to the benefit of wildlife with little interference from human beings.