Birdwatching at Pennington Flash 12th September 2026

An alternative to birdwatching at Pennington Flash.

Great tits at Bunting Hide feeding station.

A Grey squirrel seen from the Buntings Hide.

A faceoff at the feeding station.

Teal Scrape from the Charlie Owen Hide.

Gadwall on the Teal Scrape.

Grey heron on Teal Scrape.

The view from the Tom Edmundson Hide.

Grey heron seen from Horrock's Hide.

Great crested grebe and Tufted duck on Pennington Flash, seen from Horrock's Hide.

Dadwall, Great crested grebe and Tufted duck on Pennington Flash.

Common coots, Mallard and Great crested grebe on Pennington Flash.

One of 9 Mute swans on Pennington Flash.

Distance: 1-2 miles. Climb: 30'.

Time: About 2 hours.

Temperature: About 19 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Force: 2 - Just a Light Breeze.

Group: Martyn and Dave J.

One again, the weather forecast should have put us off going, but thankfully we made the decision to go anyway.

We did get a couple of showers, but thankfully each time we were in a hide.

Despite seeing lots of Swans and Canada geese, we didn't see any cygnets or goslings.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Moorhen, Common coot, Little grebe, Great crested grebe, Herring gull, Lesser black back gull, Grey heron, Blue tit, Great tit, Woodpigeon, Wood nuthatch, Tufted duck, Gadwall and Oystercatcher.

On the way back to Dave's, we called in the Waterside bar and restaurant,  Dave treated me to an excellent steak and ale pie.

Across the Bridgewater Canal from the Waterside was the Monton Lighthouse first built in 1761 by a narrowboat owner who was not allowed to build a house on the land, but a loophole in the planning did allow him to build a lighthouse.

It was good to catch up with Dave and spend a couple of hours with him birdwatching and about an hour over lunch.

The Monton Lighthouse opposite the Waterside Bar and Restaurant.

Home in time to listen to the second half commentary of the Liverpool v Fulham match, it sounded like LFC were very poor and lucky to get away with a draw, not a match to look forward to watching on BBC's Match of the Day!

We plan to have more short walks birdwatching in the near future.

More trips to Pennington Flash as well as a trip to Martin Mere is on the cards.

Let me know if you want to join us.

Abergele and Moelfre Isaf 9th September 2026

Close to high tide on Pensarn Beach when we arrived at about 09-30.

High tide at Pensarn Beach.

The newfootbridge and reinforced banks on the Afon Gele.

Grazing horses.

Horses wanting to be getting friendly.

Trying to ignore the horses.

I wonder who was expected receiver of this message.

The watchtower on Tower Hill, Abergele.

Moelfre Isaf in the distance.

A slightly better view of Moelfre Isaf from Tower Hill.

The Irish Sea from the road leading to Pen-yr-Allt.

The watchtower on Tower Hill, seen from the Moelfre Road.

The trigpoint on Moelfre Isaf.

At the trig point on Moelfre Isaf.

Fran's view from our lunch spot.

The Clwydians from Moelfre Isaf.

Another view of the watchtower on Tower Hill as we descended Moelfre Isaf.

Looking back at the worst stile that we had to cross today.

Looking towards the coast after crossing the awkward stile.

A new parcel post box in Abergele.

Looking towards the Great Orme from Pensarn at the end of our walk.

Back at Pensarn at 15-15 and the the tide is well out now.

Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 1400'.

Time: 5 hours 3 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Overall walking average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 14 Celsius throughout the walk, although it did feel warmer when sheltered from the wind.
Beaufort Wind Force: 3 at the start, a rather cool Moderate breeze on the coast and at lunch on the top of Moelfre Isa. Otherwise it was closer to BWF 2 - just a Light breeze.
Group: Martyn, Fran and Nigel.
This was another day when the forecast was. much worse than we experienced. Thankfully the forecast showers never materialised.
The main road from the centre of Abergele down to Pensarn beach was closed, so we were ended up using the road west of Pentre Mawr Park.
On the coast, it felt quite cool, so we all ended putting on an extra layer.
After crossing a new bridge over the Afon Gele, we entered a field grazed by several horses. One of the horses had a coat remining us of the spotty white Dalmatians, but Nigel pointed out that no horse is white, they are all classified as being Grey!
The field had lots of mushrooms, too much of a temptation for Fran, so we were delayed slightly as Fran rummaged in her rucksack for a bag in which to put them.
The route through Coed Abergele includes a series of what seems like never ending steps.
We eventually emerged out of the wood on Tower Hill with its well-preserved watchtower. We had good views from Tower Hill towards Moelfre Isaf – it looked an awful long way off.
We arrived at the recently repainted trig point on Moelfre Isaf a lunch time, and it was here that we decided to have lunch. We attempted to avoid the worse of the wind, by hunkering down in a small hollow on the west of the trig point.
The views from our lunch spot were great in all direction. We could make out some of the mountains of Snowdonia, some of the hills in the Clwydians (including Mel Famau) and the Abergele off-shore wind farms.
At lunch, we were entertained briefly by a Common kestrel hunting over the field below us.
After lunch, it should have been a pleasant gentle stroll, mainly downhill back to the start, but we did have a couple of awkward stiles to negotiate. One in particular, required two of us to hold it up, while the other carefully climbed over it.
Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Black billed magpie, Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Common kestrel and Raven.
We arrived back at the car, having had an excellent, varied and enjoyable walk. Alas, it was already 15-30, so this was too late to call in at the Blue Bell for a pint of Lees on the way home!
However, I did enjoy a bottle of Conwy Brewery’s Golden Gate as I cleaned the bottom of my boots – you do your best to avoid sheep droppings, but when you get home, you realise s usual you haven’t done very well!

Walks and Dates Sepember 2026

 

Wednesday 2nd September 2026.

Heswall Fields and Dales.

Distance: 5 miles. Climb: 400'.

Start: Car Park, Banks Road Heswall. Grid ref: SJ255815. Post code: CH60 9JS

Leave Chester at 09-30.

Those planning to walk: Martyn,

Those not walking: Mike, Fran. 

This is a repeat of the walk done earlier in the year that I missed because I didn't feel well enough.  Everyone enjoyed it so much, that I have decided to put it on again.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Chester and the Dee Estuary."

The walk description starts at Thursaston Visitor Station, but we will start at the car park on Banks Road, Heswall, which is also on the route.

We have all walked around Thurstaston Visitor Centre , so we know most of the area well. However this walk allows us to explore Heswall Dales NR and Heswall Fields neither of which I have visited before.

Starting at Banks Road means that we will be able to have lunch there and take advantage of their pic-nic tables / benches, if they are still there!

Saturday 5th September 2026.

A Delamere Forest, Eddisbury Hill, Pale Heights and Blakemere Moss Round.

Distance: 7.5 miles. Climb:700'.

Start: The Yeld Car Park, Yeld Lane Kelsall. Grid Ref: SJ 5324 6692.

Leave Chester in time to arrive at The Yeld at 10-00 (When the car park officially opens, although we have never arrived to find the barrier closed when we have arrived earlier.)

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Phil Marsland.

Those not walking: .

This is a variation of the walk that we usually do from The Yeld.

The from The Yeld goes via King's Chair, then onto Eddisbury Hill Fort on the way to Pale Heights.  Hopefully we will get 360 degree views that includes, Cheshire, Shropshire, Denbighshire and Flintshire.

We will then head for the Visitor Centre, where we will find a suitable spot for lunch (usually by the old outdoor education centre where there are several undercover picnic tables ).

After lunch, we will go round Blakemere Moss (in an anticlockwise direction) , eventually joining the Sandstone Trail.  The Sandstone Trail is then followed through the forest and past Eddisbury Lodge Cottage and back to the start.

We could also do the walk in the opposite direction in a clockwise direction, visiting Eddisbury Hill and Pale Heights after lunch..

Wednesday 9th September 2026.

Abergele and Moelfre Isaf.

Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb:1500'.

Start: Pensarn Beach Car Park. Grid ref: SH944787. Park near the PC block as we will be heading South towards the centre of Abergele.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Fran and Nigel .

Those not walking: Mike.

Abergele and Moelfre Isaf. This walk is by Debbie Hamelton and starts in the centre of Abergele, but we will start on the coast. This will extend the walk by about 2 miles. The main walk is described as exploring the beautiful North Wales countryside South of Abergele. The outward route passes a well preserved watch tower. The last time we did this walk in March 224, the weather was really good, with largely blue skies.  Hopefully, it will be kind to us again. However, we did encounter one or two stiles that were in definite need of some  TLC.

Saturday 12th September 2026.

Birdwatching at Pennington Flash with Dave J.

Let me know, if you want to join us.

Wednesday 16th September 2026.

Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest.

This walk will be put on again in October, when hopefully more people will be available to walk.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1900'.

Start: Tegg's Nose Country Park Car park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SJ950732.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: Fran, Mike, Nigel .

This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". It is described as a varied
walk with good views from Tegg's Nose.
We will visit Tegg's Nose first, rather than at the end of the walk. The walk is also described
as an undulating walk exploring the countryside on the edge of the Peak District.
This is a walk that we have come to like and regularly appears on the list

Last time we attempted to do this walk, we encountered road closures and footpath closures, hopefully they we have all been sorted by now

Saturday 19th September 2026.

By arrangement.

Wednesday 23rd September 2026.

Conwy, Deganwy Castle, Watchtower and the Welsh Coastal Path 23rd September 2026.

Start: Long stay car park on the B5106 at Conwy. Pay and Display.
Grid ref:SH781773. Post code: LL32
Leave Chester at 08-30.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed.
Those not walking: Mike.
This s a walk that Ed has suggested we should do when he visits Llandudno in September.
It is in the main, the walk that we do from Llandudno West Shore, but done in the opposite direction.
It takes us over Conwy Bridge, through parts of Llandudno Junction and Tywyn, before crossing the low hills by Deganwy Castle. After the castle, we go through two housing estates, one in Deganwy and one in Llanrhos.
We then take a path from Llanrhos Church the crosses fields, eventually reaching the watchtower.
From the tower, the route takes north westward past the hospital, eventually meeting the main A546 road to Llandudno West Shore.

Saturday 26th September 2026

By arrangement.

Wednesday 30th September 2026.

Wednesday 5th February 2025.

Holywell Common, Racecourse, Pantasaph and Pen-y-Ball Top

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 650'.

Start: Holywell Common, opposite the Crooked Horn, Brynford. Grid ref: SJ185740.

This is a variation of the walk that we have done many times, when we cross the common to Brynford on he way to the old racecourse.

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking: , .

Last time we will followed the Western side of the old racecourse and instead use the road to Pantasaph, before using field paths to get to Pen-y-Ball Top. After visiting Pen-y-Ball Monument take a new path on the west side of the monument to reach the track and the bridge over the A55 to the golf course and our usual route back to the start.

A Delamere Forest, Blakemere Moss, Pale Heights and Eddisbury Hill Round 5th September 2026.

It's goodbye to the Sandstone Trail through Delamere Forest for us today.

Our route to Blakemere Moss.

The surprise at Blake Mere Moss, not Phil but the now exposed tree stumps.

More water here on Blakemere Moss.

Greylag geese on Blakemere Moss.

An impressive new bridge at the north east corner of Blakemere Moss.

The snake, the last find on the Gruffalo Trail, the first for us!

More important information about real snakes on a notice board nearby.

The view from our lunch spot .

I think Linmere is there somewhere!

Doesn't apply to us today!

At the monument on Pale Heights.

Moel Famau from Pale Heights.

Gorse blocking the way through the ramparts on Eddisbury Hill Fort.

Reading the information board at the entrance to Eddisbury Hillfort.

The information board at the entrance to Eddisbury Hillfort.

Dog walkers have no excuse - it tells you what to and where to put it!

Distance: 8.1 miles. Climb: 655'.
Time: 4 hours 3 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h.
Overall walking average: 2.0 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 19 Celsius throughout the walk, although it did feel warmer and humid at times. It was quite humid at times.
Beaufort Wind Force: 2 - Mainly no more than a Light breeze
Group: Martyn and Phil.
The forecast for today was not good once the early morning rain had passed through. Unusually this was a pretty accurate forecast, and we had sunny intervals for the whole walk. I fact in the morning, it was pleasant walking through the forest where he trees shaded us from some of the Sun’s rays.
The surprise of the day was seeing the water level being so low in Blakemere Moss that many of the usually hidden tree stumps were now exposed.
As expected, the good weather had brought lots of people out, many with dogs, but as we approached “Go Ape” the shrieks from children enjoying themselves on the zip wire became louder and louder.
We went right instead of left after “Go Ape” and found ourselves past Linmere Moss.
We decided that the bench overlooking Linmere Moss was a good place to stop for lunch, before retracing our steps to the Visitor Centre.
After leaving the Visitor Centre, we ha our biggest climb of the day, the climb to monument on Pale Heights.
We had good all-round views from Pale Heights, so naturally we were drawn to Moel Famau on skyline between the Flintshire and Denbighshire marker stones.
Approaching Eddisbury Hill, we decided to take the higher path between the ramparts, not the best choice with so much gorse blocking the path in several sections.
Once on Stony Lane, it was a gentle stroll to the Sandstone Trail with only the challenge of finding the path over King’s Chair left. It’s not clear in some section, but eventually we arrived where we should, emerging by the road back to The Yeld car park.
Not many birds seen or heard today, but those we did see or hear included: Wood nuthatch, Woodpigeon, Greylag goose, Common buzzard and Sparrowhawk.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk, largely avoiding the throngs of people clustered around the visitor centre.
It was good to catch up with Phil before he heads off to God’s own country (Wales)tomorrow.

Heswall Dales and Fields 2nd September 2026

Which path for Heswall Dales - it didn't really matter!

Heswall Dales.

A glimpse of the estuary and Flintshire from Heswall Dales

Heswall Dales notice board.

A little road walking before escaping into the Cleaver Heath Nature Reserve.

The Cleaver Heath NR notice board.

A few of the Barn swallows gathering at Oldfield Farm.

One of the Barn swallows at Oldfield Farm.

View of the estuary from The Dungeon - still not very clear.

Nigel at the cave in The Dungeon.

Sampling Blackberries on The Wirral Way.

Commemorating the opening of the Wirral Country Park at Thurstaston. 

One of the Coots on the pond at Thursaston Visitor Centre.

Terrapin spotting.

Back on the Wirral Way after lunch.

Little egrets in the trees in Heswall Fields.

The Dee estuary from Heswall Fields.

The Dee estuary from Heswall Fields.

A few more Little egrets have arrived at the trees in Heswall Fields.

Looking across Heswall beach towards Point of Ayr.

On Heswall Beach.

A few of the birds gathering on Heswall Beach.

An unusual boat moored on Heswall Beach.

At last, Moel Famau comes into view as we walked along Heswall Beach.

Heswall Dales and Fields 2nd September August 2026.
Distance: 5.2 miles. Climb: 443'.
Time: 2 hours 44 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h.
Overall walking average: 1.4 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 20 Celsius throughout the walk, although it did feel warmer and humid at times. It was quite humid at times.
Beaufort Wind Force: 2 – 4 Mainly just a Light breeze, but at times it increased to a Gentle breeze and gusted to a 13.3 m.p.h. Moderate breeze as we walked along Heswall beach.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Nigel and Elaine.
The forecast for today was not good, in fact if we took it literally, we should have stayed at home!
Thankfully, we didn’t, but it was raining quite heavily as w arrived at the Banks Road car park. After a five-minute sit in the cars, the rain stopped and we donned our waterproofs and armed with our umbrellas, we set off. We probably used our umbrellas for about half an hour throughout the first hour of the walk as the light showers past through.
As this was the first time that I had visited Heswall Dales, I was keen to see what it was like, probably a little more overgrown than I expected. There were splashes of purple heather scattered between the bracken and gorse that added to the colour.
It was good to see a group from “Friends of Heswall Dale” clearing bracken and gorse from the areas near the paths. One volunteer was clearing the access track to Oldfield Road.
Autumn really is approaching, as once again we saw lots of Barn swallows gathering on telephone wires near Oldfield Farm.
We managed to avoid some of the road waking by entering Cleaver Heath Nature, Reserve, an area that looks worth exploring on future short walks.
Another first for me was descending The Dungeon path to The Wirral Way. Chatting to the volunteers in Heswall Dales, slowed us down, but was The Wirral Way that slowed us down the most! This time it was the ripe Blackberries that were the culprit, demanding that we should sample them!
Lunch was taken at the Thursaston Visitor Centre, where we took advantage of one of the pic-nic benches.
After taking advantage of the facilities at the Visitor Centre, Sue and Elaine spotted something unusual in the pond that looked like a turtle (probably a terrapin).
Eventually, the rest of us managed to see it, but kept disappearing before I could photograph it.
After lunch, a new area for all of us was Heswall Fields, an area described as a “Wildflower Meadow”, too late for us to see any still in flower, but were treated to seeing Little egret coming off the estuary to roost in the some of the trees in the Field. Over fifty could be seen in the trees by the time we left Heswall Fields and descended to Heswall Beach.
The tide was still rising, so lots of waders were being pushed onto the mud closer to the shore.
Birds seen or heard today included: Black billed magpie, Common blackbird, European robin, Cetti warbler, Mallard, Common coot, Moorhen, Barn swallow, Woodpigeon, Little egret, Eurasian curlew, Oystercatcher, Lesser black backed gull, Herring gull, Great cormorant, Knot, Dunlin, Common redshank, Shelduck and Grey heron.
We arrived back at the car, in warm sunshine, having had a very enjoyable walk and pleased that we had not taken the weather forecast literally.