This week DEFRA, English Nature and BASC visited our marshes and it was a massive success. On Wednesday we carried out a marsh walk in the afternoon and talked about land management, conservation, membership, quarry species indicative to Lytham, improvements we want to make and improvements we have completed, also we talked about our neighbours like aerospace and how we help each other. 

In the evening we had a simulated duck flight (no shooting) which gave us the opportunity to talk through a flight, explaining quarry species and non quarry, this was all carried out over the main run, and all members of the party took on the mud with trepidation but we’re glad they had tried it. 

Thursday morning we were on a live flight, from the sand gutter, splash one and splash two, and everyone came out again despite an early 5am start, all crossing the run in the dark and then on to the outer marshes. Non of the DEFRA or NE were shooting, just observing, geese were shot at each location. A special thanks to all of the people involved and making sure everyone was safe at all times and all aspects of a morning flight covered. Also a shout out to the other lads just out for a mornings flight, the behaviour and attitude was exceptionally good and shooting was kept very sensible so thank you everyone. 

It became very clear that everyone in attendance was extremely impressed with LDWA and wildfowling ( they do however think we are nutters going out there) and very impressed at our land management policies and conservation. A very big shout out for BASC for making this happen and setting this trip up on LDWA as a benchmark managed wetlands that is owned and shot sustainably. We should be honoured that they chose our club to host this and trust us to make an impression, it wouldn’t have happened without the commitment from members, thank you.