Wildlife in the Liverpool Area

[jdoherty]

Hi all,

I will be visiting my daughter in Liverpool from 7th-14th April approx and am looking for advice about wildlife reserves/parks/birds of prey centres etc to visit during my stay. I don't mind travelling so I'm probably looking for anything good within about a 50 mile radius of Liverpool. I've already been to Formby so I'm looking for advice/suggestions as to places like this where I can get some nice wildlife shots.

Thanks

John

[mckenzie]

try the martin mere wetlands trust at burscough, not far from l/pool

[Jon]

Originally Posted by jdoherty

Hi all,

I will be visiting my daughter in Liverpool from 7th-14th April approx and am looking for advice about wildlife reserves/parks/birds of prey centres etc to visit during my stay. I don't mind travelling so I'm probably looking for anything good within about a 50 mile radius of Liverpool. I've already been to Formby so I'm looking for advice/suggestions as to places like this where I can get some nice wildlife shots.

Crosby Marina - Liverpool is also supposed to be good - it was on the Chris Packham progamme recently.
Thanks

John

John
Mere Sands Wood (not far from Martin Mere WWT) and Moore Nature Reserve (Warrington direction) are pretty good woodlands and lakes. There is also Marbury Country Park, Dunham Massey and Tatton Park in Cheshire.
On Wirral there is Hilbre Island, but I suspect April may be just a few weeks too late for many waders.
Regards Birds of Prey there is a place near to Lancashire Police HQ, I have been meaning to find it myself. I will send a further measage if I find it!
Jon

[John]

50 miles radius of Liverpool gives you a lot to go for. Apart from Martins Mere you could also include Marshside, by Southport, Bankes which is north of there. Closer to Liverpool is Crosby Marina and from there I think you can still look through the fence to the Seaforth Nature reserve on the docks (I don't think the restrictions have been lifted there yet. It was closed because of the terrorist threat).

A bit further afield, and above Manchester, is Pennington Flash about 25 miles away then the famous Bowlands Moor a bit further north.

To the south of Liverpool you have the Wirral where along the coast from Bootle through to Hoylake can produce anything. The walk over to Hilbre Island, from West Kirby can be very productive. There are also a few reserves, including Parkgate, along the western shoreline and finally you have Frodsham, although that reserve appears to have gone quiet of late.

There are many many more within a fifty mile radius but I think that is enough to be going along with at the moment.

John

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, the Wirral can be very good. Where's Tanny to give his expertise?

Originally Posted by jdoherty

advice about wildlife reserves/parks/birds of prey centres etc to visit during my stay. I don't mind travelling so I'm probably looking for anything good within about a 50 mile radius of Liverpool. I've already been to Formby so I'm looking for advice/suggestions as to places like this where I can get some nice wildlife shots.
John

[jdoherty]

Looks like I've got plenty of choice and a lot of planning and research to do to get the best out of my visit. Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep them coming.