Enjoy a taste of nature this autumn at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands

It’s one of the best places to see wildlife in Cheshire – and now everyone is invited to enjoy a free day out at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands and discover nature’s home for themselves.

Situated on the Dee Estuary, which is an internationally important winter home for tens of thousands of birds, Burton Mere Wetlands is the perfect place to get up close to nature and witness some incredible wildlife spectacles.

At this time of year, large flocks of geese and ducks are arriving to escape the cold temperatures of their summer homes further north, alongside whooper swan and vast numbers of threatened wading birds, like lapwing and redshank.

To encourage people who have not yet ventured down to Burton Mere Wetlands to appreciate the wonders of this nature reserve, free entry will be offered every Thursday throughout November.

Visitors can take part in a free guided walk and discover how the reserve helps to give nature a home, before returning to the cosy visitor centre, complete with impressive views and wood-burning stove.

Dan Trotman, Visitor Development Officer for RSPB Dee Estuary reserves, said: “Much of nature becomes less active in the winter months; most mammals and amphibians hibernate, whilst insects die off and spend the next few months as eggs or another less visible form. The great thing about birds is that they are present all year round.

“Of course, there are dramatic changes in the type and number of birds we see in the winter compared to the summer, which is what makes birds so interesting to watch.

“Winter is arguably the best time of year to see birds on the estuary and even if the weather is cold and grey, watch the birds from our cosy visitor centre with its wood-burning stove, tea and coffee facilities, and friendly staff and volunteers.

“These ‘Taster Thursdays’ are the perfect opportunity to come and see the fantastic work the RSPB is doing to give nature a home and hopefully be wowed by the mass of geese and swans,  a kingfisher diving, a peregrine falcon hunting the ducks or even the fox and stoat that we’ve seen recently. There will be a free guided walk starting at 1 pm to help you get the most from your visit.

“Throughout the winter, there will be various self-led activities for families to enjoy, such as the autumn leaf scavenger hunt and our ‘Wild Goose Chase’ to learn about the many different geese that have made their home at Burton Mere Wetlands.”

For more information on the reserve and its activities, please call the reserve on 0151 3538478, or check out the website www.rspb.org.uk/deeestuary.

Burton Mere Wetlands is the gateway to the RSPB’s Dee Estuary nature reserve, with one of the newest visitor facilities in the country.  From the comfort of the reception building, visitors can see nesting avocets and lapwings in the summer and huge flocks of ducks, geese and swans in winter.  Water voles and badgers are resident here, whilst the summer months are alive with flickering colours from the countless dragonflies and butterflies.

Four miles up the road at Parkgate, the vast saltmarsh provides internationally important habitat for thousands of wading birds and wildfowl, but one of the biggest draws are the birds of prey and owls; hen harriers, Peregrine falcons and short-eared owls are amongst the most captivating winter visitors.  During exceptionally high spring tides, the saltmarsh becomes flooded and the resident harvest mice, field voles and the like can be seen fleeing the rising water.

Point of Ayr lies at the tip of the Welsh side of the estuary, where thousands of wading birds gather to roost at high tide, and a huge variety of migrant birds stop off to feed and nest on the saltmarsh.  Natterjack toads breed in the sand dunes and the critically endangered Sandhill Rustic Moth thrives here.

Location and opening times:

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Puddington Lane, Burton, Cheshire, CH64 5SF.  The reserve is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 9am to 5pm from November to March, and 9am to dusk from April to October.  The reception building is open from 9.30am to 5pm year-round.