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England Cheshire

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes ŠMike Atkinson http://mikeatkinson.net/

To the west Cheshire is dominated by the estuaries of the Dee and Mersey. Hilbre Island and the RSPB reserve at Gayton Sands on the Dee are well known throughout the country for their vast flocks of waders and duck, but the Mersey, due to it`s difficult access is less well known yet can be every bit as good. Frodsham marshes in particular, at the confluence of the River Weaver and the Mersey estuary, is excellent. Both Hilbre Island and the north Wirral coast are good spots for sea-watching with Leach`s Petrel a speciality. Cheshire is also blessed with a good variety of inland water, there are the rivers of the Dee, Mersey, Weaver, Dane, Bollin and Gowy, a good selection of canals and many meres, ranging from little more than small ponds to large lakes.

Standing out of the rich farmland of the Cheshire plain are the Peckforton hills and Beeston crag. Well wooded and affording marvellous views of the Welsh hills they are the haunt of peregrine falcons and ravens. Further east the nature of the countryside changes, here the Cheshire border abuts the Peak District and this is a much wilder countryside with forests, rushing streams and desolate fells.

top sites

Frodsham Marsh

(SJ520786)The marsh is an area of sludge-beds from the River Weaver attracting an excellent range of both breeding and wintering birds, with a fair selection of rarities. Here too the embankments afford good views of the massed ranks of waders and duck on the Mersey estuary.

Gayton Sands

(SJ273791)This RSPB reserve is famous for it`s high tide bird-watches at Parkgate when hundreds of birders can turn up. They come to see the wheeling massed flocks of waders, pintail, wigeon and teal as well as short-eared owls and hen harrier.

Great Budworth Mere and Marbury Country Park

(SJ655766)An attractive area of mixed wetland and woodland set between the village of Budworth and the river Weaver, with the Trent and Mersey Canal winding it`s way through the middle. Great Crested Grebes breed on the mere and the woods and marshy areas attract can attract a good selection of species at any time of the year.

Hilbre Island

(SJ186877)You can spend high tide on the island cut off by the sea then walk back at low water. Hilbre is a great place to observe the spring and autumn passage when both land and sea birds can be seen. Waders present during winter include Purple Sandpipers as well as the usual Oystercatchers, Dunlin and Knot.

Maccesfield Forest

(SJ964711)An ancient forest which includes dark conifers, open moorland and reservoirs. Red Grouse and curlew breed on the moorland but sadly no more the Black Grouse.

Peckforton Castle

(SJ538575)The castle sits on a range sticking sharply up from the Cheshire plain. The hills have a range of habitat including rocky outcrops, birch-wood, pine forest, hardwood plantations and heath-land. Breeding birds include pied flycatcher and nightjar.

Woolston Eyes

(SJ660889)800+ acres of wetland between the ship canal and river Mersey. Large numbers of duck are present in the winter including thousands of tea. 30 odd species of waders are observed during spring and autumn passage.

contributor

Richard Smith
Editor - Cheshire & Wirral Bird Report
richardsmith@cawos.org
http://www.deeestuary.co.uk

county recorder

Hugh Pulsford
6 Buttermere Drive, Great Warford, Cheshire, SK9 7WA
01565 880171
countyrec@cawos.org

numbers

Number of bird species:342
County Bird - Leach`s Storm Petrel Oceanodrama leucorhoa [because the Wirral coast (including Hilbre Island) is one of the best places in the country to see them - particularly in autumn].

useful reading

Cheshire & Wirral Bird Reports

Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society (2003). ?7.70 incl p&p from D.Cogger, 113 Nantwich Road, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 9HD. mailto:memsec@cawos.org Back copies also available. Please enquire.

Hilbre - The Cheshire Island - Its History and Natural History

Edited by JD Craggs, 306 pages, 31 b/w photos, 163 figs, tabs. Liverpool University Press
ISBN: 0853233144
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Where to Watch Birds in North West England & Isle of Man

by Allan Conlin, Dr J P Cullen, Pete Marsh, Tristan Reid, Chris Sharpe, Judith Smith & Stephen Williams Christopher Helm Third Edition 2008
ISBN: 9780713664218
Buy this book from NHBS.com

useful information

Proact

Coordinator: none (why not apply?)
see http://www.proact-campaigns.net/coordinators
Members: 4
Join us at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team

clubs

Cheshire Wildlife Trust

http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/cheshire/
Cheshire Wildlife Trust`s Home-page and Web-site. Cheshire Wildlife Trust (CWT) are the premier conservation organisation within the county of Cheshire and are a subsidiary body of the Wildlife Trusts, this being the central organisation underpinning each of the regional Trusts around the country.

Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society

http://www.cawos.org
David Cogger, 113 Nantwich Road, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 9HD. 01606 832 517
The Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society. The county society that has so much to offer... Information on conservation issues and local bird studies... A nationally acclaimed annual Bird Report... An unrivalled quarterly newsletter: BIRD NEWS... Workshops, high tide and migration watches. A winter programme of monthly illustrated talks.

Knutsford Ornithological Society

http://www.10x50.com/
A well presented site. It all began in September 1972, a short article in the Knutsford Guardian announced a series of evening classes organised by the Workers Education Association devoted to the subject of Ornithology. The tutor was the late Bill Mulligan, despite his advancing years a man of boundless enthusiasm and energy who managed over the next two years to transfer some of his immense knowledge to his band of disciples. Eventually Bill declared that he`d done as much as he could and it was now up to us! So early in 1974 the inaugural meeting of the Society took place, a constitution was drawn up and the first committee elected. Bill of course became a life member and the organisations first President.

Merseyside Ringing Group

http://www.merseysideRG.org.uk
The Merseyside Ringing Group operates in Merseyside, Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales.

Mid Cheshire Barn Owl Conservation Group

http://www.ipjnet.freeserve.co.uk/mcbocg/
The barn owl is in decline throughout Great Britain

Mid-Cheshire Ornithological Society

http://www.midcheshireos.co.uk
MCOS is one of the longest established ornithological societies in Cheshire catering for all tastes in bird watching and all level of skill. This home page is the entry to more information about our varied programme of meetings, both indoor and outdoor, and the role we and our members play in the Cheshire birding...

North Cheshire Barn Owl Group

http://www.users.madasafish.com/~frankh/Barn%20Owls/
I am interested in setting up a voluntary Barn Owl group for the North Cheshire Area, If you are interested would you Email me or fill in the on line form, at the moment I am collecting names and will arrange a meeting at a later date...

RSPB Chester Members Group

http://website.lineone.net/~seamark/
The Chester RSPB Members Group was formed in 1987. The membership numbers around 350 people.

RSPB North Cheshire Members Group

North Cheshire RSPB Group. Includes events and recent newsletters, and etc.

RSPB Wirral Members Group

http://website.lineone.net/~dave.jowitt/rspblinks.htm
The programme of this local RSPB group with a link through top the national website, etc.

South Cheshire Barn Owl Group

http://www.ipjnet.freeserve.co.uk/scbog
This group is working to save the barn owl in South Cheshire

Wirral Barn Owl Trust

http://www.wirralbarnowltrust.org/
In 1999, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the R.S.P.B. and Wirral Ranger Service got together and invited interested people to the inaugural meeting of The Wirral & Ellesmere Port Barn Owl Group. The group had an initial membership of 33 people...

Wirral Bird Club

http://www.wirralbirdclub.com/
Wirral is blessed with a wide range of different landscapes, including woods, farmland, reed beds, salt-marsh and lowland heath. The varying habitats are occupied by many different species, making the region an excellent base for bird-watching...

Witton Area Conservation Group

The Witton Area Conservation Group is made up of local birdwatchers and naturalists, between them they share a wealth of knowledge about the wildlife of the area. The group provide help and advice on wildlife management on the site and assist with the surveys and monitoring of the flora and fauna of the area.

observatories

Hilbre Bird Observatory

http://www.hilbrebirdobs.co.uk/
Steve Williams, 2 Westbourne Road, West Kirby, Wirral, CH48 4DG. 0151 625 2146

reserves

Eastwood Nature Reserve

http://www.eastwoodreserve.50megs.com/
The reserve is open every Sunday to members of the R.S.P.B. and Cheshire Wildlife Trust as well as the general public from 10am to 4pm. Due to the sensitive nature of the site dogs and cycles are not allowed. Midweek there are usually working parties doing general maintainance and repairs. Eastwood has been owned by the R.S.P.B. since 1932 and is now managed by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

Hatton`s Hey Reserve

MCOS took out a lease on a stretch of the River Weaver near Kingsley in September 1986 and created the Societys reserve called Hatton`s Hey. The reserve covers 29 acres and includes a strip of woodland, drive scrub and extensive reed bed. A hide overlooks the open water lagoon. We have a very active nest box programme both on the reserve and in adjacent woodland. One of our members closely monitors nest box activity and a report is filed annually to the Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society records officer.

Hoylake and Red Rocks

http://www.deeestuary.co.uk/
Red Rocks Marsh is a nature reserve part of which maintained by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust. It is a 28 acre site of brackish marsh and sand dunes open to the public...

Moore Nature Reserve

http://www.wrg.co.uk/moorenaturereserve/
Moore Nature Reserve is a 200-acre site in Warrington, north Cheshire. The reserve consists of five large lakes surrounded by extensive woodland, meadows and wetlands, made accessible by a network of paths and bird hides. Its many habitats provide a home for a variety of birds, mammals, insects, plants, amphibians and fungi. The reserve is open to the public at all times, 365 days a year...

Northwich Community Woodland

http://www.northwichcommunitywoodlands.org.uk/index.shtml
Walk amongst dragons and kings! Explore the walks and trails around Marbury Country Park, Anderton Nature Park, Dairy House and Witton Mill Meadows, which together form Northwich Community Woodlands...

Woolston Eyes Bird Reserve

http://www.woolstoneyes.co.uk/
The Woolston Eyes Reserve is situated to the east of Warrington between the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal near Latchford Locks and the Thelwall Viaduct which carries the M6 Motorway over both the River and the Canal...

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you cant find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page give them a try!

2001 [September] - Tina MacDonald

http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/Hotspots/England2001/DeeDay.html
After my husband Duncan and I spent a day recovering from our plane flight from Canada and resetting our internal clocks, we met up with Brian Roberts, a top-notch local birder, who we got in touch with thanks to the help of Richard Smith...

tour operators

Birding Pal

http://birdingpal.org/Unitedkingdom.htm
Local birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...

North West Birds

http://www.nwbirds.co.uk/
We have a passion for birds and we`d like to share it with you - by taking you birdwatching on the edge of the English Lake District. We run mini-breaks for very small groups with all in accommodation on a house party basis, with guests joining us at our home, Barn Close.

places to stay

Chester Canalside Holidays

http://www.stayinchester.com
Luxury 4 star apartment with balcony set overlooking the Shropshire Union Canal in the City of Chester. Ensuite master bedroom, twin bedroom, 2nd bathroom, lounge with balcony and fully equipped kitchen. Private parking. Sleeps 4 guests. Wifi available. 5 minute walk to City Centre. Weekend breaks, midweek stays available as well as weekly holidays. Rates start from Ł250. Tel: (UK) 01244 312788

Lamb Inn

http://www.lambinn.org.uk/
Here at the Lamb Inn we offer quality bed & breakfast at economy prices.

Peel Hey Country Guest House

http://www.peelhey.co.uk
...we offer excellent B&b accommodation on the Wirral, close to West Kirby Hilbre Islands, Hoylake and The whole dee estuary...

mailing lists

Cheshire Birds

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CheshireBirds/
To post to list:CheshireBirds@yahoogroups.com
List contact:CheshireBirds-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:CheshireBirds-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
An eGroup to provide a discussion forum for Cheshire`s Birds and the sites and habitats they inhabit. The discussion forum for all of Cheshire`s Birdwatchers be they experts or just occasional observers in their gardens.

Birds of a Cheshire Garden

http://abcissa.co.uk/birds/
Being chair/garden bound, through illness, has huge and obvious drawbacks. It has, though, given the owner of this site the opportunity to watch the garden and its birds very closely. The garden in Wilmslow, Cheshire (north-west England) has in fact, become a very local local-patch.

BLOG - Another Place

http://crosbybirding.blogspot.com/
A birding BLOG about the South Sefton Coast...

BLOG - General Ornithologists Association

http://generalornithologistsassociation.blogspot.com
The General Ornithologists Association,GOA for short was formed on the 9th June 2007 at around 2pm(ish) at Burrafirth,Unst,Shetland... which must be hard to say with your tongue in your cheek!

BLOG - Mike Fenney - Fen Photography

http://fenphotos.blogspot.com
Birding blog and my photo gallery

BLOG Phil Woollen - Wirral Birder

http://wirralbirders.blogspot.com
Moved to the Wirral in 1983 and settled there after marrying in 1986. I've been birding since I was 7 or 8 - it was that long ago I can't remember! My formative years were spent in Suffolk and birds became a passion in my teens. I started twitching whilst still at school but began seriously whilst at University in the late 70's and early 80's.

BLOG Stephen Menzie - Menzie Birding

http://menziebirding.blogspot.com
BLOG from a Liverpool birder...

Breeding Bird Atlas of Cheshire and Wirral Project

http://www.cheshireandwirralbirdatlas.org
Why are we doing this? The Breeding Bird Atlas of Cheshire and Wirral was published over 10 years ago (1992) based on fieldwork now 20 years old (1978-84). Nationally, those 20 years have seen perhaps the biggest changes ever in bird populations and distribution...

Cheshire Region Biodiversity Action Plan

http://www.ukbap.org.uk/asp/lbap.asp?ID=435
Lists bodies involved, data and plans for conserving species etc.

Cheshire Waterlife & Falconry Centre

http://www.cheshire-waterlife.co.uk/
For those who like such things... For the ultimate birds of prey experience visit our avaries, watch our displays and get hands on with our owls, eagles and hawks.

Congleton Birds

http://www.trochilus.co.uk/trochilus/congleton.htm
Sightings, images etc...

Dee Estuary Birding

http://www.deeestuary.co.uk/
The Dee Estuary, on the North Wales/North-West England border, is one of the United Kingdom`s premier birding locations for wetland and shore birds. This Web site describes the best Dee Estuary birdwatching areas with detailed maps and latest bird news for dedicated twitchers and casual birdwatchers alike.

Mayfield's Birds

http://www.geocities.com/mayfieldsbirds/?200610
The website was designed to show you the range and number of species of birds present in this area of Cheshire, UK.

Mersey Birders

http://www.freewebs.com/merseybirders/
Birders Diaries, Bird news Bird sites, Weather and Travel, Photo Gallery, Gulls Page, Quick Reference, Bird Lists, articles...

Nature Sign Design

http://www.naturesigndesign.co.u
Nature sign maker and photographer

Red Barn Wild Bird Products

http://www.redbarn.uk.com/
Red Barn Wild Bird Products have been established in the garden centre and retail trade for 35 years and in the wild bird food trade for 6 years, and our extensive experience has enabled us to build up an enviable reputation and a broad customer base. We supply wild bird foods to retail/ garden centres nation-wide and we are noted for our excellent service and success in customer satisfaction.

Tom McKinney's 2006 Birding Diary

http://skills-bills.co.uk/2006.htm
Welcome to Tom McKinneys (thats me) all new 2006 birding journal. Theres going to be some wacky, fun-filled, expletive-laden, crazy-a*s sh*t going down this year, such as a big birdspotting trip to Peru in the summer, so strap yourselves in and prepare for the ride [From which you can see that this really funny and irreverent birding [mostly] diary is not for those easily offended; I love it - Fatbirder]

artists

Artist - Thomas Monahan

http://www.thomasmonahan.co.uk/
Thomas was born in 1964 in Novato, California, USA. He studied as a Graphic Designer in the UK and worked for several years in Advertising and Marketing, before becoming a Creative Director. However... a passion for art took over Thomas's love for marketing. Thomas began working as an abstract expressionist in Las Vegas, Nevada. Upon his return to the UK, Thomas decided to change his focus and moved into the world of Wild Life Art and he has spent several years establishing himself as a wildlife artist...

Photographer - Alan Saunders

http://www.alansaunders-wildlifephotography.co.uk/
My name is Alan Saunders an aspiring professional wildlife photographer.I live in Stockport in the North West on the outskirts of some great wildlife country...

Photographer - Andy Astbury - Wildlife in Pixels

http://wildlifeinpixels.com
Still & Video Images of the Natural World the Website of Cheshire based nature photographer and cameraman Andy Astbury...

Photographer - Chris Galvin

http://www.chrisgalvinphoto.com
Some really excellent images from the UK and beyond...

Photographer - Damian Waters - DrumImages ~ Captured by the light

http://www.drumimages.com
Drumimages is the brain child of Damian Waters (the D in Drum). Damian has been interested in photography for many years, but it wasnt until the purchase of his first digital camera in 2001 that his passion really took off. Damian carries a camera with him wherever he goes and many of the images displayed on this site are a result of being in the right place at the right time

Photographer - David Cookson

http://www.dc-images.co.uk/
Some really really good photos...

Photographer - David Meredith

http://www.dmeredith.com
No longer resdient in Cheshire but in Canada - but some of his pictures were taken in Cheshire and deserve to be seen!

Photographer - Ken Lewis

http://www.kelimages.com/
Ken Lewis` life in nature photography began with a general fascination with the natural world. He was introduced to nature by his late father, and Ken fondly remembers, as a young child of six years old, walking to the far end of Lake Bala in North Wales. This is a memory which has stayed with Ken to this day, as he recalls, my father pointed out the enchanting call of the curlew and, at that moment in time, my direction in life was changed forever.

Photographer - Malc Richings

http://www.malcrichings-photography.co.uk
Bird And Wildlife Photography...

Photographer - Mike Atkinson

http://mikeatkinson.net/
Collection of images covering both common and scarce British birds. Many images are displayed full-screen...

Photographer - Richard Steel

http://wildlifephotographic.blogspot.com/
Most of my photography is undertaken locally on Merseyside, the Wirral and in North Wales but I always like to try and take a camera with me when I travel anywhere, just in case the opportunity arises...

Photographer - Steven Round

http://stevenround-birdphotography.com/index.htm
Some very nice images from an improving photographer...

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