Bird watching - waders
and birds of prey. Ìý There are a number of reserves and seasonal hot
spots around the Dee including:
Ìý 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. Ìý 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.
Ìý RSPB reserves at Point of Ayr and Gayton. |