Plan your visit
🧺Picnic🦅Birds🦉Wildlife
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome28 ha
Getting here
53.45403, -2.62191
Open directionsv
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- 🐦56+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Woodpigeon and Blackbird
- 🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
- 🛝Playground 201m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- 🐦56+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Woodpigeon and Blackbird
- 🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
- 🛝Playground 201m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
🅿️Parking· Free🧺Picnic spot🛝Playground
🧺Picnic day out
Very strong match
picnic area, car park; Urban park — open green space
Free
🦅Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Carrion Crow +53 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds
Free
Birds — Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Carrion Crow +53 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat
Free
🛝Family friendly
Strong match
playground, picnic area; Urban park — family destination
Free
🦋Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Green Shieldbug, Gwynne's Mining Bee +37 more · last seen 2026
Free
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km1 signed route nearby
Signed route nearby
GM Ringway Stage 16Walking route16.3 km▾
GM Ringway Stage 16 - Wigan to Leigh
Named routeLength 16.3 kmRegional walking route
2 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Birchwood to Sankey WayCycling route▾
Named routeRef B2SLocal cycle route
Sankey Canal TrailCycling route▾
Named routeRef SCTLocal cycle route
Photos
Wetlands Area, Mesnes Park
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysNearby places
Useful places within 5 km
Wildlife to spot
15,802 records · National Biodiversity Network
Wildlife to spot
15,802 records · National Biodiversity NetworkWoodpigeon · Carrion Crow · Great Tit · Blackbird · Blue Tit +31
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
- Great TitParus major
- BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
- JackdawColoeus monedula2025
- MagpiePica pica2025
- House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
- CootFulica atra
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- KingfisherAlcedo atthis
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
- MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
- DunnockPrunella modularis2025
- RobinErithacus rubecula2025
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
- GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2025
- RookCorvus frugilegus2025
- JayGarrulus glandarius2025
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2025
- Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
- Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
- OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2025
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
- SwiftApus apus2025
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
- Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
- NuthatchSitta europaea2025
- Rock DoveColumba livia2025
- RavenCorvus corax2025
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
- WhitethroatCurruca communis2025
American Mink · Soprano Pipistrelle · Common Pipistrelle · Pipistrelle Bat species · Daubenton's Bat
- American MinkNeovison vison2025
- Soprano PipistrellePipistrellus pygmaeus
- Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus
- Pipistrelle Bat speciesPipistrellus
- Daubenton's BatMyotis daubentonii
7-spot Ladybird · Bombus terrestris subsp. audax · Vine Weevil · Alder Leaf Beetle · White-tailed Bumblebee +18
- 7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata2025
- Bombus terrestris subsp. audaxBombus terrestris subsp. audax
- Vine WeevilOtiorhynchus sulcatus
- Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni2025
- White-tailed BumblebeeBombus lucorum/terrestris/magnus/cryptarum2025
- Marmalade Hoverfly
Himalayan Balsam · Hemp-agrimony · Lesser Swine-cress · Fat-hen · Scented Mayweed +69
- Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera
- Hemp-agrimonyEupatorium cannabinum
- Lesser Swine-cressLepidium didymum
- Fat-henChenopodium album
- Scented MayweedMatricaria chamomilla
- Petty SpurgeEuphorbia peplus
- GypsywortLycopus europaeus
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
15,802 records · National Biodiversity NetworkWoodpigeon · Carrion Crow · Great Tit · Blackbird · Blue Tit +31
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
- Great TitParus major
- BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
- JackdawColoeus monedula2025
- MagpiePica pica2025
- House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
- CootFulica atra
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- KingfisherAlcedo atthis
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
- MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
- DunnockPrunella modularis2025
- RobinErithacus rubecula2025
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
- GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2025
- RookCorvus frugilegus2025
- JayGarrulus glandarius2025
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2025
- Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
- Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
- OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2025
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
- SwiftApus apus2025
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
- Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
- NuthatchSitta europaea2025
- Rock DoveColumba livia2025
- RavenCorvus corax2025
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
- WhitethroatCurruca communis2025
American Mink · Soprano Pipistrelle · Common Pipistrelle · Pipistrelle Bat species · Daubenton's Bat
- American MinkNeovison vison2025
- Soprano PipistrellePipistrellus pygmaeus
- Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus
- Pipistrelle Bat speciesPipistrellus
- Daubenton's BatMyotis daubentonii
7-spot Ladybird · Bombus terrestris subsp. audax · Vine Weevil · Alder Leaf Beetle · White-tailed Bumblebee +18
- 7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata2025
- Bombus terrestris subsp. audaxBombus terrestris subsp. audax
- Vine WeevilOtiorhynchus sulcatus
- Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni2025
- White-tailed BumblebeeBombus lucorum/terrestris/magnus/cryptarum2025
- Marmalade Hoverfly
Himalayan Balsam · Hemp-agrimony · Lesser Swine-cress · Fat-hen · Scented Mayweed +69
- Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera
- Hemp-agrimonyEupatorium cannabinum
- Lesser Swine-cressLepidium didymum
- Fat-henChenopodium album
- Scented MayweedMatricaria chamomilla
- Petty SpurgeEuphorbia peplus
- GypsywortLycopus europaeus
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Episyrphus balteatus2025
Episyrphus balteatus2025
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2025Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2025Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2025Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2025Syrphus ribesiiSyrphus ribesii2025Syrphus ribesiiSyrphus ribesii2025Sphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scripta2025Sphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scripta2025Evacanthus interruptusEvacanthus interruptus2025Evacanthus interruptusEvacanthus interruptus2025Common Flower BugAnthocoris nemorum2025Common Flower BugAnthocoris nemorum2025Green Dock BeetleGastrophysa viridula2025Green Dock BeetleGastrophysa viridula2025Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis2025Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis2025Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2025Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2025Aphrophora alniAphrophora alni2025Aphrophora alniAphrophora alni2025Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax2025Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax2025Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax2025Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax2025Nettle Pollen BeetleBrachypterus urticae2025Nettle Pollen BeetleBrachypterus urticae2025Birch ShieldbugElasmostethus interstinctus2025Birch ShieldbugElasmostethus interstinctus2025Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2025Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2025Cicadella viridisCicadella viridis2025Cicadella viridisCicadella viridis2025Willow Bean-gallerEuura proxima2025Willow Bean-gallerEuura proxima2025Alsike CloverTrifolium hybridumAlsike CloverTrifolium hybridumTufted VetchVicia craccaTufted VetchVicia craccaSycamoreAcer pseudoplatanusSycamoreAcer pseudoplatanusNipplewortLapsana communisNipplewortLapsana communisEnchanter's-nightshadeCircaea lutetianaEnchanter's-nightshadeCircaea lutetianaHogweedHeracleum sphondyliumHogweedHeracleum sphondyliumCommon NettleUrtica dioicaCommon NettleUrtica dioicaCommon CentauryCentaurium erythraeaCommon CentauryCentaurium erythraeaBranched Bur-reedSparganium erectumBranched Bur-reedSparganium erectumCut-leaved Crane's-billGeranium dissectumCut-leaved Crane's-billGeranium dissectumSpotted-laurelAucuba japonicaSpotted-laurelAucuba japonicaColtsfootTussilago farfaraColtsfootTussilago farfaraCorn MarigoldGlebionis segetumCorn MarigoldGlebionis segetumCommon FleabanePulicaria dysentericaCommon FleabanePulicaria dysentericaSneezewortAchillea ptarmicaSneezewortAchillea ptarmicaTimothyPhleum pratenseTimothyPhleum pratensePurple-loosestrifeLythrum salicariaPurple-loosestrifeLythrum salicariaPineappleweedMatricaria discoideaPineappleweedMatricaria discoideaErythranthe aggregateErythranthe aggregateErythranthe aggregateErythranthe aggregateKnotgrassPolygonum aviculareKnotgrassPolygonum aviculareRedshankPersicaria maculosaRedshankPersicaria maculosaDandelionTaraxacumDandelionTaraxacumWater Forget-me-notMyosotis scorpioidesWater Forget-me-notMyosotis scorpioidesWild AngelicaAngelica sylvestrisWild AngelicaAngelica sylvestrisField PansyViola arvensisField PansyViola arvensisWater ChickweedStellaria aquaticaWater ChickweedStellaria aquaticaProcumbent PearlwortSagina procumbensProcumbent PearlwortSagina procumbensDaisyBellis perennisDaisyBellis perennisCommon Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatusCommon Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatusRibwort PlantainPlantago lanceolataRibwort PlantainPlantago lanceolataWater MintMentha aquaticaWater MintMentha aquaticaHedge MustardSisymbrium officinaleHedge MustardSisymbrium officinaleAlderAlnus glutinosaAlderAlnus glutinosaHornbeamCarpinus betulusHornbeamCarpinus betulusPerennial Sow-thistleSonchus arvensisPerennial Sow-thistleSonchus arvensisHollyIlex aquifoliumHollyIlex aquifoliumRed CampionSilene dioicaRed CampionSilene dioicaShepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastorisShepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastorisScentless MayweedTripleurospermum inodorumScentless MayweedTripleurospermum inodorumNodding Bur-marigoldBidens cernuaNodding Bur-marigoldBidens cernuaBulrushTypha latifoliaBulrushTypha latifoliaHedge BindweedCalystegia sepiumHedge BindweedCalystegia sepiumPrickly Sow-thistleSonchus asperPrickly Sow-thistleSonchus asperGreater PlantainPlantago majorGreater PlantainPlantago majorCommon RagwortJacobaea vulgarisCommon RagwortJacobaea vulgarisSpear ThistleCirsium vulgareSpear ThistleCirsium vulgareHoary WillowherbEpilobium parviflorumHoary WillowherbEpilobium parviflorumGreat WillowherbEpilobium hirsutumGreat WillowherbEpilobium hirsutumCreeping ButtercupRanunculus repensCreeping ButtercupRanunculus repensMugwortArtemisia vulgarisMugwortArtemisia vulgarisCreeping ThistleCirsium arvenseCreeping ThistleCirsium arvenseAshFraxinus excelsiorAshFraxinus excelsiorLarge BindweedCalystegia silvaticaLarge BindweedCalystegia silvaticaBlack NightshadeSolanum nigrumBlack NightshadeSolanum nigrumWhite CloverTrifolium repensWhite CloverTrifolium repensButterfly-bushBuddleja davidiiButterfly-bushBuddleja davidiiWild TeaselDipsacus fullonumWild TeaselDipsacus fullonumDotted LoosestrifeLysimachia punctataDotted LoosestrifeLysimachia punctataCleaversGalium aparineCleaversGalium aparineCommon ToadflaxLinaria vulgarisCommon ToadflaxLinaria vulgarisPurple ToadflaxLinaria purpureaPurple ToadflaxLinaria purpureaCornflowerCentaurea cyanusCornflowerCentaurea cyanusTrailing BellflowerCampanula poscharskyanaTrailing BellflowerCampanula poscharskyanaGreen AlkanetPentaglottis sempervirensGreen AlkanetPentaglottis sempervirensHemlock Water-dropwortOenanthe crocataHemlock Water-dropwortOenanthe crocataField MapleAcer campestreField MapleAcer campestreYellow Water-lilyNuphar luteaYellow Water-lilyNuphar luteaEvents & activities nearby
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