The South Shore
New Brighton, Wirral to Egremont
Accessed from Seacombe Ferry terminal or from Perch Rock, New Brighton.
Best time to visit: September to March
State of tide: Low water to an hour before high water.
Species to be seen: Oystercatcher, redshank, turnstone, curlew, dunlin, knot and other waders including small numbers of purple sandpipers. The groins at Egremont are used by various waders to roost out the high tide. Most species can be seen from the promenade feeding on the rocky shore.
New Brighton, Perch Rock
Species to be seen: 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 - skuas, gannets, terns and various gull species also come into the estuary.
New Ferry (SJ342855)
Accessed from A41via New Ferry Village to view New Ferry Bay
Best time to visit: September to March
State of tide: Low water.
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)
Accessed from B5132 and follow signs to the Country Park.
Best time to visit: September to April.
State of tide: Low water.
Species to be seen: Teal, pintail, black-tailed godwit, redshank, dunlin and curlew feeding on the mudflats. The Country Park provides pleasant walks and many woodland bird species.
**There is a Ranger service, toilets and café at this venue.**
The Weaver Bend and Estuary
(Whilst technically not part of the Mersey Estuary birds regularly commute between the two
sites.)
Accessed from Frodsham down Marsh Road.
Best time to visit: Anytime.
Species to be seen: Various duck and wader species including the occasional rarity, raven, short-eared owl, peregrine, merlin and harriers.
** This site is occasionally disturbed by boating. Please note the adjoining sludge lagoons are private and dangerous, though access is normally allowed along the road. **
Wigg Island Community Park
Accessed from Runcorn Expressway onto Astmoor Road.
Best Time to visit: Anytime
State of tide: Low water.
Species to be seen: Various duck species, lapwings, most gull species, birds of prey, short-eared owl and passerines.
**There is a visitor’s centre at this site.**
New Brighton, Wirral to Egremont
Accessed from Seacombe Ferry terminal or from Perch Rock, New Brighton.
Best time to visit: September to March
State of tide: Low water to an hour before high water.
Species to be seen: Oystercatcher, redshank, turnstone, curlew, dunlin, knot and other waders including small numbers of purple sandpipers. The groins at Egremont are used by various waders to roost out the high tide. Most species can be seen from the promenade feeding on the rocky shore.
New Brighton, Perch Rock
Species to be seen: 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 - skuas, gannets, terns and various gull species also come into the estuary.
New Ferry (SJ342855)
Accessed from A41via New Ferry Village to view New Ferry Bay
Best time to visit: September to March
State of tide: Low water.
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)
Accessed from B5132 and follow signs to the Country Park.
Best time to visit: September to April.
State of tide: Low water.
Species to be seen: Teal, pintail, black-tailed godwit, redshank, dunlin and curlew feeding on the mudflats. The Country Park provides pleasant walks and many woodland bird species.
**There is a Ranger service, toilets and café at this venue.**
The Weaver Bend and Estuary
(Whilst technically not part of the Mersey Estuary birds regularly commute between the two
sites.)
Accessed from Frodsham down Marsh Road.
Best time to visit: Anytime.
Species to be seen: Various duck and wader species including the occasional rarity, raven, short-eared owl, peregrine, merlin and harriers.
** This site is occasionally disturbed by boating. Please note the adjoining sludge lagoons are private and dangerous, though access is normally allowed along the road. **
Wigg Island Community Park
Accessed from Runcorn Expressway onto Astmoor Road.
Best Time to visit: Anytime
State of tide: Low water.
Species to be seen: Various duck species, lapwings, most gull species, birds of prey, short-eared owl and passerines.
**There is a visitor’s centre at this site.**
Perch Rock lighthouse and New Brighton shoreline.
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New Ferry foreshore with Liverpool skyline.
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The foreshore at Eastham Country Park.
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Teal at the mouth of the River Gowy. Photo © D. Smith
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Manisty Bay towards the Liverpool skyline. Photo © D. Smith
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Barnacle geese on Ince Marshes. Photo © D. Smith
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Click on photo to see enlargement.
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