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Enjoy a family day out at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands this Mothers’ Day (26 March) where mums will be treated to free entry and a free hot drink whilst taking in the wildlife spectacle on offer. Dozens of elegant avocets, one of the nature reserve’s star birds, will be preparing to raise their families, whilst a stroll along the nature trails will get visitors close to budding trees and early spring flowers.
Throughout March families can take part in the ‘Baby Birds trail’ - a self-led quiz to learn more about the reserve’s resident birds and their young ones. Normal admission charges apply to non-members, no additional charge for the event. Available 9.30 am-4.30 pm daily in March.
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On any day, Explorer Backpacks are available to hire packed with everything needed to discover more about the creatures that call Burton Mere Wetlands home. No booking required, cost £2.50. Families can also have a go at self-led den building close to the visitor facilities, at no additional cost.
Visitors can currently enjoy lunch at the reserve, as the RSPB has teamed up with a local catering van business offering hot and cold sandwiches, soup and burgers on-site from Wednesday to Sunday every week between 10.30 am and 3.30 pm.
Venue: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Puddington Lane, Burton, Cheshire, CH64 5SF
Contact: For further details visit rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands or phone the visitor reception on 0151 353 8478.
Burton Mere Wetlands is the gateway to the RSPB’s Dee Estuary nature reserve. 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.
A programme of events runs at all three sites throughout the year, please visit rspb.org.uk/deeestuary
Location and opening times:
RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Puddington Lane, Burton, Cheshire, CH64 5SF. The reserve is open every day except Christmas Day, 9 am until dusk (up to 9 pm in summer). Our visitor reception is open 9.30 am-5 pm, February to October, and 9.30 am-4.30 pm November to January.
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