If you are fond of a spot of birdwatching, then the RSPB reserve at Parkgate, Dee Estuary, might just make the ideal day out during a chilly winter.
How to reach it
Parkgate reserve is situated between the Wirral and Chester. The nearest train station is Neston, which is just two miles away. Cyclists can reach the centre via route 56 on the Wirral Way, which is part of the National Cycle Network, or if you’re driving the reserve is accessed via the A540 which runs between Hoylake and Chester. Alternatively, a local bus route stops at Parkgate once per hour.
Reserve facilities
There is a car park at the reserve, along with a picnic area, guided walks and pushchair friendly paths. You can access other facilities, including a shop and toilets, off site.
What you might see
The RSPB list Parkgate’s “star species” as little egrets, hen harriers and skylarks, plus the short-eared owl and merlin, both of whom are often spotted out hunting between autumn and spring. In winter, there are also pink-footed geese and stonechats to be seen.
One particular feature of this reserve concerns the tidal influence on this part of the Dee estuary. If the tide reaches 10 metres or more, the salt marshes can become flooded. This forces small animals out of hiding, which in turn attracts birds of prey looking for something a little more substantial than bird seed. Flocks of wading birds and wildfowl are also pushed upstream, as they head for drier areas – like the RSPB reserve at Burton Mere Wetlands.
