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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-7 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2024:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage,, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Winston Feather.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB NR and West Kirby Marine Lake 22nd October 2025


A fine Weeping willow in the garden at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands.
Woodland Pool.
Mallards on Woodland Pool.
Centenary Pool.
A Lapwing and Teal on the Centenary Pool.
A Lapwing and Black tailed godwit on Centenary Pool.
A delightful section of wooded path at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands.
A reedy area with lots Reed mace (Bullrushes).
Looking across RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands towards Connah's Quay Power Station and Moel Famau.
Looking across West kirby Marine Lake towards Hilbre.
I slightly closer view of Hilbre.
The reason why I couldn't go around the Marine Lake at this point in time.
A female Goosander on West Kirby Marine Lake.
The walkway looks just about passable!
Turnstones on the rocks at West Kirby Marine Lake.
Two more Turnstones on West Kirby Marine Lake rocks.
Distance: 4.9 miles. Climb: 100'.
Time: 1 hour 50 minutes. Overall walking average: 2.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 10 – 17 Celsius, although it felt much warmer in the Sun as I approached the car after going around the Marine Lake.
BWF: 0-1 – no more than Light air at the most.
The weather forecast for today, looked too good to miss, so on the absence of any willing walkers, I decided to do a bit of birdwatching at the same time as getting in a few steps.
The first port of call was RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR, where I expected to see most birds.
It was much quieter than I expected, but it was a very pleasant visit in the warm sunshine. The downside, was the bright Sun at times made seeing the true colours of the birds difficult.
The birds seen and heard at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands today included: Black tailed godwit, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Raven, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Common coot, Mallard, Coal tit, Blue tit, Great tit, Long tailed tit, European robin, Cetti warbler, Winter wren, Teal, Pintail, Canada goose, Greylag goose, Goldfinch, Shelduck, Shoveler and Lapwing.
After a couple of hours at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR, I headed for West Kirby, where I hoped to be able to walk around the Marine Lake. I arrived at West Kirby, just about at the time the tide was at its highest, and found that I was too early to walk around the Lake! Even worse, the only birds that I saw on the Lake were two Great cormorants and a few Black headed gulls! Later on, I did see one female Goosander and about 50 Turnstones that flew onto the rocks by the Old Marine Lake Baths.
After walking up and down the Marine Parade, I did eventually walk around the sea side of the Lake. The tide had over-topped the Marine Lake, and water was still draining away over the path as I set off. I was only wearing my canvas walking boots, so I ended up with two wet feet, but it was worth it!
Overall, an enjoyable few hours, much better than staying at home and doing some household chores or visiting Mold Market to et some Snowdrop bulbs!

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