If you love to see birds in their natural habitat and are looking for a great day out this winter, why not head for the RSPB reserve at Burton Mere Wetlands?
How to get there
Burton Mere Wetlands reserve is located between Chester and the Wirral. The closest train station is Neston, closely followed by Hooton, and the nearest bus stop is Ness Botanic Gardens. Cyclists can access the centre via the Wirral Way or Burton Marsh Greenway, and by car the centre is 10 minutes’ drive from the M56, off the A540.
Centre facilities
The centre has a car park, shop, cafe and picnic area, and there are guided walks and nature trails to follow. There are accessible toilets, baby changing facilities and pushchair-friendly paths.
What you could see
An array of birds await, and what you can expect to see depends on the season. At this time of yeat, the reserve is home to a range of feathered creatures who opt to spend the colder months at Burton Mere. Visitors from the continent include starlings and thrushes, as well as several species of swan. One of the most rare of our British birds of prey, the hen harrier, often hunts over the grassland, pools and reed beds. On the coldest days, you may even get to see the bashful water rail, when it emerges from the vegetation in search of bird food.
Generally, the centre’s showcase species include egrets – little egrets in particular, but cattle and great white egrets are also seen. You may spy black-tailed godwits or pink footed geese, or even a marsh harrier or kingfisher.
