Map Ref: SJ 69 97
O.S. Pathfinder 723
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The area south of the East Lancashire Road (A580) from Worsley to Glazebury, and including Cadishead and Irlam, is locally, often referred to as "The Moss". It indicates a large area that was once wholly a peat moss, but which, over the years , has slowly turned to farmland. There still remain a few relict areas, almost all still subjected to peat extraction. These areas are interesting to birdwatchers for they remain a unique habitat. The following names are areas you may encounter when exploring this very interesting and productive habitat, Astley Moss, Bedford Moss, Chat Moss, Great & Little Woolden Moss. Risley Moss. Worsley Moss. Barton Moss. Irlam Moss. Cadishead Moss.
Perhaps the most usual approach by a Leigh. O.S. member would be from the A580 at Astley turn into Higher Green Lane and go down to the end and into Rindle Road this takes you to and beyond the railway. Footpaths and tracks lead out in several directions and a visitor will see much of interest. In winter there may be Short Eared Owls and Hen Harriers. There are flocks of Redwings and Fieldfares, and very occasionally a Great Grey Shrike has been seen. The flocks of Chaffinches, Greenfinches and Bramblings are numerous and large in size - often seen in thousands. Kestrels are common and their breeding status is good. Since the revival of the Sparrowhawk the species is seen more often and in recent years Merlin and Hobby have wintered.
A walk along the ditches and woodland edges will set up Woodcock, particularly in autumn, and there will always be an occasional Meadow Pipit and Skylark. Great Spotted Woodpeckers frequent the area near Windybank Farm, and Tawny Owls are not far away. Most buildings, certainly some of the derelict ones, have Little Owls, the Barn Owl once rarely seen and in decline, now are holding thier own. In some of the wetter areas you are quite likely to flush Common Snipe and in the winter Teal are in the brooks and streams. The area once held breeding Nightjars but sadly no proven records since the 1980's.
Some mosses, like Little Woolden, have dried out and do not have so many breeding birds. The remaining areas are small in size with the exception of Bedford Moss and Risley Moss. Bedford Moss is slowly becoming overgrown with birch and willow, but Risley Moss has been managed as a reserve since the late 1970's, and is now a good place to spend a few hours in pursuit of ones hobby, avisitors centre for info, toilets and good parking facilities are easy to access. On the other side of the railway virtually all of the Irlam and Cadishead mosses are given over to market produce, particularly vegetables.
More information on these areas can be found in Leigh. O. S. publication: "Winter Hill to Yellowhammer Lane". Produced by Peter Barlow with assistance from Jack Critchley. The publication contains information on habitat, weather, recording, migration, maps, histograms etc and a general over view of the society's recording area.
