Bird watching - waders and birds of prey. There are a number of reserves and seasonal hot spots around the Dee including:
Thurstaston Country Park and coastline: Autumn is a good time to spot Fieldfares and Redwing which are attracted by berried bushes. Look across nearby fields for flocks of Curlew, Lapwing and Oystercatchers. The shoreline is a great place to see Knot, Dunlin Shelduck and Oystercatchers. Parkgate: Visit Parkgate at high tide - if you're lucky, you may see Pintail, Wigeon, Water Rails and Teal as well as waders. Also look out for owls and other raptors. Gayton Sands RSPB reserve at Parkgate is a good place to view a variety of birds including Greenshanks and Little Egrets. Warning - do not walk on the saltmarsh because the tides can be dangerous. West Kirby: Take a trip to the West Kirby shoreline near Marine Lake and Red Rocks at high tide for thousands of waders.
Caldy: Caldy Blacks is a mussel bed which attracts significant numbers of waders.
Flint, Wales: There are stunning views of the estuary and its birds from Flint Castle and the surrounding coast. Flint marsh, which lies south of the castle, is a good place for high tide waders including Black-tailed Godwits, Shelduck, Teal and Grey Plover.
Talacre and Point of Ayr: Roosting waders in the fields at Talacre. The Point of Ayr is well known location for wading birds. Autumn is a good time to see Black and Bar-tailed Godwits from the RSPB hide. Further out to sea, look out for sea birds and ducks. Greenfield: This is a good place to watch Great-crested Grebes in the autumn.
RSPB reserves at Point of Ayr and Gayton. |