SOUTH SHORE LOCATIONS

Best times to visit  -  September to March

 

New Brighton  (Wirral) to Egremont

State of tide:  Low water to an hour before high water.

 

Accessed from Seacombe Ferry terminal or by Perch Rock, New Brighton

Most species can be seen from the promenade, feeding on the rocky shore.

Best time to visit. September to March

Species to be seen: oystercatcher, redshank, turnstone, curlew, dunlin, knot and other waders including small numbers of purple sandpipers.

The groynes at Egremont are used by various waders to roost out the high tide.

 

 

New Brighton (Perch Rock)

 

After North West gales during September and October this is probably the best place in the U.K. to see Leach’s petrels. Other seabirds like skuas, gannets, terns and various gull species also come into the estuary.

 

 

New Ferry. (SJ342855)

State of tide: Low water.

 

Access can be made to view New Ferry Bay from A41

Best time to visit September to March.

Species to be seen:  shelduck, pintail, teal, black-tailed godwit and other wader species can be seen feeding on the exposed mudflats.

 

 

Eastham Country Park.(SJ362819)

State of tide: Low water.

 

Access~ From B5132 follow signs to Country Park.

Best time to visit September to April.

Species to be seen: teal, redshank and dunlin feeding on the mudflats.

The Country Park provides pleasant walks and many woodland birds species.

 

 

The Weaver Bend and Estuary

(Whilst technically not part of the Mersey Estuary, birds regularly commute between the two sites.)

This site is occasionally disturbed by boating. Please note the adjoining sludge lagoons are private.

 

Access~ From the main road in Frodsham Village into Ship Street, follow the road over the motorway. Turn right onto the track and follow to car parking area. It is a five minutes walk to the river.

Best time to visit July to October, and early spring.

 

Species to be seen: Various ducks and waders, birds of prey and many species of passerines.

 

 

Wigg Island Community Park (Runcorn)

 

A local nature reserve managed by Halton Borough Council

State of tide: High water

 

Accessed over the Manchester Ship Canal from Astmoor Road and Old Quay Swing Bridge.

 

There are several bird hides.

Species to be seen: On the saltmarsh ~ shelduck, teal, redshank. 

 On the large freshwater pool ~ ducks and other water birds