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| Visitors on the path -Ron Thomas |
A
birthday weekend extravaganza will be held at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands this
month to mark the nature reserve’s third birthday – and everyone is invited to
join the party.
As a
special birthday treat, visitors to the reserve on Saturday 27 September and
Sunday 28 September will receive free entry and there will be a variety of free
activities for all ages to enjoy, including den building, crafts and guided
walks.
Staff
and volunteers will be on hand to help people uncover the wildlife which makes
its home at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands and visitors can also gain tips on how to
give nature a home where they live, before enjoying homemade birthday cake.
The
reserve is home to many wonderful creatures, from kingfishers and common
lizards to dragonflies, and now is the perfect time to witness a wildlife
spectacle as large numbers of ducks and geese begin to move in for the winter.
Dan
Trotman, Visitor Development Officer for the RSPB’s Dee Estuary nature reserve,
said: “The birthday weekend is a fantastic way to celebrate
the reserve turning three and a great opportunity for visitors to discover all
that RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands has to offer.
“Since
opening, more than 100,000 people have visited the reserve, enjoying the chance
to get up close to nature and see wildlife they may never have come across
before. Thanks to the recent addition of a new trail, people can now explore
even more of the site, so whether you are looking for a relaxing walk, taking part
in an event or wanting to marvel at the wonderful wildlife, there’s something
for everyone.
“We
hope as many people as possible will come and help us celebrate our third
birthday as it is sure to be a brilliant weekend.”
The
birthday event runs from 9.30 am-5 pm on Saturday 27 September and Sunday 28
September, with guided walks led by one of the wardens taking place at 10 am
and 1.30 pm each day. On the Saturday, there will be a RSPB pin badge stall
between 10 am-4 pm, with the full current range of pin badges to buy.
Please note there will be road closures around Burton
from 11.15 am-12.15 pm on Sunday 28 September for a fun run event, so visitors
to the reserve are advised to arrive before/after these times.
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 home
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.
A programme of events
runs at all three sites throughout the year, please see: www.rspb.org.uk/deeestuary
Burton Mere Wetlands is open daily, with the reception
building open from 9.30am until 5pm. The reserve is just 10 minutes from the
M56, off the A540 (Chester High Road). For non-RSPB members, entry is
normally £4 for adults (concessions £2), £6 for a family and £1 for children.
For more details and a full programme of
activities and times, phone 0151 353 8478 or alternatively email deeestuary@rspb.org.uk or visit www.rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands
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