Grimsargh Wetlands

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Grimsargh Wetlands

Grimsargh Wetlands is one of Lancashire's youngest nature reserves, made up of three former reservoirs which have become a haven for wildlife.

Welcome to the formal page of the Grimsargh Wetlands Trust (GWT). Set up in 2017, GWT is responsible for promoting the conservation, protection and improvement of Grimsargh Wetlands. Made up of three decommissioned reservoirs, the former United Utilities site used to provide water for the local community and industry. Grimsargh Wetlands' is made up of three main habitats, The Mere, The Island Lake

and The Fen, which provide homes for a stunning range of wildlife at a time of encroaching urbanism. In recent years, many of the UK’s historical wetland habitats have been lost. Now, more than ever, it is vital to protect both remaining and newly created sites, for the preservation of wildlife, and the continued enjoyment of future generations of visitors. As a charity, we rely entirely on the generosity and goodwill of the local community and businesses, along with success in obtaining funding from grant-giving organisations, in order to ensure the conservation, protection and improvement of the nature reserve. We have ambitious plans to improve the biodiversity of the site both for the benefit of the flora and fauna that call it home, as well as for our visitors and the local community. Several conservation projects are under way here, many of which you can support, either by making a one-off financial contribution, or by donating equipment or items for our various fundraising events.

11/06/2026

Goosnargh Cubs visit

Last month, we hosted a visit from the Goosnargh Cubs.

After a quick talk by one of our trustees about the history of the site, the cubs were given a tour of the wetlands.

This began on the main central screen, where they saw the avocets, gulls, and ducks.
Afterwards, we moved into the orchard area to look for bugs, including many spiders and beetles that were sweep-netted earlier.
Lastly, we moved down to the public footpath to get a better look at the Island Lake with the avocets.

We are always eager to get kids involved with nature, and last month was a great showcase of the interest you can spark in young people.

Our next volunteer date is the 20th of June (Saturday), further details can be found on our website https://www.grimsarghwetlands.org/events/volunteer-days.php.

08/06/2026

Last month, Multipave Infrastructure helped us deepen and reprofile our wildlife pond in the orchard.

Since the pond was first dug in March, it has become clear that more excavation would be required for it to hold water - especially as we enter into summer!

Multipave, based in Leyland, were amazingly generous and offered to send a team for a day's work to undertake the work required. This was completed at the start of last month.

The pond's contours have now been better defined, and the base has now been lowered to a compacted clay base. This will allow for a more natural pond, which will provide greater benefit to aquatic insects.

We are very grateful to the Environment Agency for first excavating the pond for us back in March, and to Multipave Infrastructure for their aid in completing this pond project. Make sure to keep an eye out over this summer for any wildlife that may start to call this new pond home!

08/06/2026

Many thanks to our June calendar page sponsor Stella 😊🙏Neon Warrior Fitness.

Stella is a certified Personal Trainer, Level 3 Exercise Referral Specialist, Pre and Post Natal trained, Spin, Group Exercise Classes, Aqua Exercise and HIIT.

Thank you for supporting your local nature reserve 🦋🐞🪻🌳

07/06/2026

Thank you to today's volunteers for cutting back all the stinging and spiky vegetation along the Wetlands footpath and in the Quiet Corner. The brambles are in flower and there are many species of bees to see, up close, beside you as you walk along the path 😀 🧡🐝🌸 Come along and visit us soon 😊 Please remember to close the gates on each area when you leave 🙏

20/05/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬

Many thanks to our May calendar sponsors Alderbank Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic. Lee and Victoria have been supporting Grimsargh Wetlands for years now and we very much appreciate everything they do to help us collect donations and sell calendars, mugs raising much needed funding for the Wetlands.

The Alderbank team are chartered physiotherapists, committed to providing a high quality, professional, confidential & personalised service.

https://www.alderbankphysio.co.uk/
132 Preston Rd, Grimsargh, PR2 5JQ
Telephone: 01772 653501
Email: [email protected]

18/05/2026

Grimsargh Field Day is fast approaching - 27th June 2026. We still need donations of wine, spirits, chocs, tins of biscuits, new toiletries, new toys or games etc - anything that would make an attractive prize in a tombola to raise funds for our nature reserve.

Our wonderful sponsors Blue Moon Computers, Longridge and Alderbank Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, Grimsargh have both agreed to be drop-off points for these prize donations. If you have anything you'd like to donate please take items to either of these locations and we'll collect them from there.

Many thanks for all your support - it really will make a difference 🌳🐞🌼🦋🦆🐜🪻

12/05/2026

𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

We are delighted to announce that Blue Moon Computers, Longridge have entered into a Business Sponsorship Agreement with Grimsargh Wetlands Trust from 1st May 2026. Sponsored Blue Moon plaques have been placed on our viewing screens at the vantage points around the reserve, where visitors can view the site and watch the local wildlife without any disturbance.

A monthly financial contribution has been agreed, and the total annual sum of money will fund bird feeders and bird feed for the winter months and hand tools which are required throughout the year for our volunteer sessions and Corporate Community Volunteering Events that we offer to local businesses (details are on our website: grimsarghwetlands.org).

Many thanks to Helen and Steve for their ongoing support of Grimsargh Wetlands and the future of these valuable wetland habitats for local wildlife and visiting species. Sponsorships, like this one, will help to ensure that Grimsargh Wetlands is maintained and preserved for future generations.

We are almost 10 years into the original agreed 25-year term of the lease of the site to Grimsargh Wetlands Trust; the Trust to manage the site was setup in 2017. We are a community-based charity and appreciate the help we receive from the people who volunteer their time and skills in support of the Wetlands. As always, we are particularly grateful for any local support from Grimsargh village residents and businesses. We are always looking for volunteers, Trustees and local people to support this haven for nature.
https://www.bluemooncomputers.com/
https://www.grimsarghwetlands.org/

11/05/2026

This Saturday we are at the Grimsargh Farmers' Market at Grimsargh Village Hall from 9am to 1pm. Please come along and say hello 😊 We are collecting donations for our tombola to raise funds at the field day event. Any bottles of wine, spirits, boxes of chocolates, tins of biscuits, new toiletries, new toys or gifts will be greatly appreciated so there are lots of tempting prizes on offer.

Please support your local nature reserve; keeping Grimsargh Wetlands at the heart of the village - a haven for wildlife 🦋

03/05/2026

03/05/26 - International Dawn Chorus Day

The wetland now has a good selection of returned Warblers.

These small birds have made the perilous journey from Africa to breed in the UK, where they feed on the summer emergence of insects. As insects die off in winter, they are obliged to migrate south to survive.
Generally speaking, twice a year, they have to navigate the Sahara Desert and then the Mediterranean Sea, finding food en route and taking advantage of suitable winds.

In the last few weeks, we have heard or seen Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Grasshopper Warblers, Whitethroats and Garden Warblers as well as Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroats and the scarce Cetti’s Warbler,
Some of these warblers are difficult to identify. The Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler are all but identical by sight, but their calls are radically different, whereas the Grasshopper Warbler sounds identical to a grasshopper!

Currently, males are active singing to proclaim their territory and to try to attract a mate.
Before the vegetation comes into full leaf is the best time to see these birds, and if you have the ‘Merlin’ app on your phone, you can identify a variety of warblers' calls, especially on the public footpath between the lake and the fen.

Photo- Sedge Warbler

Geoff Carefoot
Trustee

02/05/2026

26/04/26: Opening of our new Wetlands Quiet Corner.

We are delighted to announce that our new ‘Wetlands Quiet Corner’ is now open to the public. The new space is inspired by, and dedicated to, our late friend and colleague, Jayne Woollam who passed away last year.
Jayne’s family and close friends recently joined us for the opening of our new quiet space and expressed their heart-felt thanks and deep appreciation for all that had been done in her memory.

Jayne was, of course, involved in so many aspects of Grimsargh village life; however, the Wetlands always held a special place in her heart. As one of the founding trustees and Secretary to Grimsargh Wetlands Trust, she played a central role in the development of the Wetlands, ensuring that it remains such a precious community asset.

The creation of the Quiet Corner was made possible by the award of a grant of £3000 from the Lancashire Environmental Fund (LEF). The new grant allowed for the creation of a small gated area adjacent to the public footpath. The new space has a tree (a Crab Apple sapling) dedicated to the memory of Jayne. There is also a bench where visitors can relax and spend a few moments in quiet contemplation. In addition, all the access points, footpaths and viewing screens on the Wetlands today were only possible with the support of the LEF and we thank them for their generosity over the years.

We hope visitors will enjoy and respect this new space on the Wetlands and, once again, we thank the LEF for their generous financial support over the years. We are particularly
grateful for the support and encouragement we always received from the late Andy Rowett who, as LEF Fund Manager, championed the cause of the Wetlands over many years. More recently, we are indebted to Elizabeth Morgan for her encouragement and help.

Address

Preston Road, Opposite Elston Lane
Preston

Website

https://www.grimsarghwetlands.org/

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