A Community Park Nature Reserve with the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal surrounding the island. Completely surrounded by water with a narrow iron bridge giving access from Runcorn main land. A very popular community park especially with local dog walkers. Both local transport bridges to take you from Runcorn to Widnes. The shorter older sky blue bridge was built and opened just one week after I was born! ~The newer Mersey Gateway Bridge opened October 2017.

Both of these bridges now have a Toll charging system, with the New Mersey Gateway being longer but a faster and smoother journey. Both photos show that the Tidal system on the River Mersey will always be a problem with silt sandbanks and sinking sands. Hence the need for the Manchester Ship Canal to ensure cargo ships can enter the Mersey and travel to the docks at Salford.

The ship Canal was completed and opened in 1894, although the Manchester docks closed in 1984, the canal still continues to allow freight and working boats to continue up most of the 36 mile length.

Wigg Island is owned and managed by the Local Authority, and is mostly woodland, with a few hidden meadows. there are plenty of paths to investigate and meander. It is a site worth visiting more than once, and I returned recently to it to gather some pics for this review. I activated it back in November 2014 and managed one of my best “Park” days with 57 Q’s in the log, equal amount on 17m as 20m and just 3 P2P. I activated from the main carpark, which is the largest and Free to park!

The one downfall is there are no toilet facilities or cafe, but as we always say in POTA, bring snacks!

There are a number of these signs identifying what habitat and wildlife that visit regularly. There are bird watching areas allowing you views of the wading birds in the estuary. Birds such as the Common Shelduck, Kingfisher, Cetti’s Warbler and Northern Lapwing.

The pathways create a circular route and pass by the hidden meadows, with lots of the trails covered by the tall trees. A welcome bit of shade in the hot weather. Most of the trails are flat and suitable for prams and wheelchairs, so access to nearly all visitors. As I advised earlier it is very popular with local dog walkers, so although plenty of places to erect antennas, we need to take heed of public safety as always.

Finally, the park is accessible 24 hours a day, so you could use it to get “Early or Late Shift” activations. As always dear reader, thank you for taking time to read my review. I hope it encourages you to get out and about and activate POTA and have fun at the same time?

BEST 73 Tony G1JPV