Hilbre Island and West Kirby Marine Lake 4th November 2026

 

A pair of Goosander on the Marin Lake.

A different pair of Goosander on the Marin Lake

Looking across the Marine Lake towards Hilbre.

Another male Goosander on the Marine Lake,

Mute swans on the Marine Lake.

Mute swans on the Marine Lake.

Setting off to Little Hilbre.

Looking across the estuary towards Point of Ayr.

Middle Isle and Hilbre from Little Hilbre.

Approaching Middle Isle.

Our lunch spot is view on the left of the island.

The old slip way and Lifeboat Shed on Hilbre Island 

This was my lunch spot.

Grey seal on the sand bank, basking in the warm sunshine.

One of the many Brent geese around Hilbre Island.

One of the many Oystercatchers on Hilbre Island.

The Common scoter off the north end of Hilbre Island.

The Common scoter off the north end of Hilbre Island.

A Common kestrel on Hilbre Island.

A Common kestrel hunting over Hilbre Island.

Lunch time on Middle Ise.

Leaving Middle Isle after lunch.

The War Marial on Grange Hill seen from the beach as we left Little Hilbre.

Crossing the sands from Little Hilbre to West Kirby.

Looking across the Marine Lake from the northern end of the lake,

The Little egret on the rocks by the Old Baths on the Marine Lake,

Distance: 6.3 miles. Climb: 207’.
Time: 3 hours 46 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walking average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 10.2 to 12.7 Celsius
Beaufort Wind Force: 2. Mainly no more than Light breeze.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Nigel, Elaine and Mike.
Another good day for walking, warm and sunny a times, but overcast for a while after lunch and once again warm sunshine as we walked around the Marine Lake towards the end of the walk.
Lunch was taken on Middle Isle, where we sat on the rocks, sheltering from any breeze.
We were treated to some of Elaine’s very morish homemade shortbread. Thank you, Elaine.
Birds seen or heard today included: Goosander, Little egret, Common redshank, Mute swan, Herring gull, Black-headed gull, Eurasian curlew, Oystercatcher, Brent goose, Carrion crow, Raven, Common kestrel, Shelduck, Common scoter, Pied wagtail and a pipit (probably a Rock pipit).
We arrived back at the cars, having had a very enjoyable walk, but surprised that it turned out to be over 6 miles.

A Stroll Along the West Kirby Parade 28th October 2026

 

Common redshank on the pontoon on West Kirby Marine Lake.

Turnstone on the rocks.

More Turnstone.

A Little egret joins the Turnstones.

Looking across the Marine Lake.

Looking across the lake towards Flintshire

Looking back towards the Sailing Club.

A Raven foraging in the Marine Lake edge.

An immature Herring gull.

A Pied wagtail foraging in he wind surfers car park.

A Great cormorant fishing in the Marine Lake.

Approaching High tide at West Kirby.

The waves crashing on the causeway by the  Yacht Club.

The waves crashing on the rocks near the Yacht Club.

Turnstones on the Marine Lake rocks.

One Common redshank with the Turnstones.

Goosander on West kirby Marine Lake.

A female Goosander on the Marin Lake.

A Winter plumage Back-headed gull.

Another female Goosander.

I had planned to walk around the Marine Lake, but I arrived by the lake only a hour before high tide, so I had to be satisfied with a stroll along the Parade (just 2 miles and Zero Climb!

However, there were eight Goosanders fishing on the Marine Lake and a Raven foraging on the edge of the Lake.

Other birds seen included: Pied wagtail, Common redshank, Turnstone, Great cormorant, Little egret,  Black-headed gull and Herring gull.

Walks and Dates October 2026

 

Wednesday 7th October 2026.

Audlem and the Shropshire Union Canal.

Distance: 5.6 miles. Climb: 180!
Start: Cheshire Street Car park, Audlem. (Now Pay and Display) 

Grid ref: SJ659436.
Leave Chester at 09-15. (It takes just under an hour to drive to Audlem)

Those planning to walk: Martyn (I will drive), Sue and Michel, David S., Mike, Nigel, Fran?.

Those not walking: Elaine. 

This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire",
The walk is described as exploring the attractive valley of the River Weaver with fine views throughout.

Saturday 10th October 2026. 

By arrangement.

Wednesday14th October 2026 .

Coed Ceunant and the River Clwyd.

Distance: 8.3 miles. Climb: 680'.
Start: Start: Ruthin Craft Centre Car park (free) on Lon Parcwr (4th turning off the roundabout if approaching from Mold/Chester. It is opposite Tesco). Grid ref: SJ125586.

Leave Chester at 09-00. 

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking: Nigel. 

This walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks In the Vale of Clwyd" that we have done several times before, but not for some time In the past we have linked them with other walks that take the mileage to about 13 miles, more than most of us want these days. He describes the walk as  one exploring varied countryside, with excellent views and visits the charming ruins of a Medieval church using field paths and some delightful bridleways between Ruthin and Llanbeddr Dyffryn-Clwyd. It explores the attractive lower slopes of the Clwydian's, including a lovely wooded area.

Saturday 17th October 2026. 

By arrangement.

Wednesday 21st October 2026

Cwm Conwy, Castle Wood and Moel Y Gaer.

Postponed.

Distance: 7 - 10 miles. Climb: 1200'.

Start: Rhosesmor. Parking area next to the children's play area. Grid ref:SJ214684.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: Mike.

This walk is based on a walk  from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain".  The Cwm Conwy walk is one of my favourite walks in the Halkyn area at any time of the year. The extension continues the walk as far as the old cemetery at Halkyn, but any additional extension would need to include Halkyn Mountain itself - not to everyone taste! 

Saturday 24th October 2026. 

By arrangement.

Wednesday 28th October 2026.

Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest.

Postponed

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 (I will drive), .

Those not walking: Fran and 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.

OR

White Nancy, Big Low, Berristall Vale and the Saddle of Kerridge.

Postponed until next month.

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb: 2000'
Start: The Adlington Street car park Grid ref: SJ931782 or Pool Bank Car Park on Palmerston Street (opposite the Spinners Arms Grid Ref: SJ 93707790).

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking: , .

This is another walk that combines two walks from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks". He describes the walks as moderate to strenuous and includes some of the most scenic surroundings around Bollington. We have already strolled along Kerridge Hill and can vouch for that part of the walk.

These walks include some of the most scenic areas around Bollington and at the same time give hints of Bollington's industrial past.

Saturday 31st October 2026. 

By arrangement.

Dates and Walks November 2026

 

Wednesday 4th November 2026.

Hilbre Island.

Distance: 4-5 miles. Climb: 100' at a guess!

Start: South Parade, West Kirby Marine Lake. Park between the old baths and the Sailing Club at the Southern end of the lake Grid ref: SJ214860.

Leave Chester at 09-00. 

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking: . 

High Tide is at 07-00 and is 26.0' / 7.9 m, so it looks like being a good option today. We should be able to cross the sands following the tide as it goes out.

Low Tide is at 13-06

Bring binoculars, their should be some plenty of birds to see as Wintering birds start arriving around now. We should also be able to see  the Grey seals seals on the sand banks in the estuary.

On this occasion, for those that want to, we will go around the Marine Lake after visiting Hilbre.

Saturday 7th November 2026. 

By arrangement.

Wednesday 11th November 2026.

Mynydd Marian.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Llanddulas Beach Car Park. Grid ref: SH907786.
Leave Chester at 09-00.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book, "Walks on the North Wales Coast". It combines an interesting section of the coast line with the attractive limestone countryside between, Old Colwyn, Llysfaen and Llanddulas. This will be the second time that we have done this walk (first time in March), but it is one of my favourite walks at any time of the year.

Saturday 14th November 2026. 

By arrangement.

Wednesday 18th November 2026.

Cwm Conwy, Castle Wood and Moel Y Gaer.

Distance: 7 - 10 miles. Climb: 1200'.

Start: Rhosesmor. Parking area next to the children's play area. Grid ref:SJ214684.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: Mike.

This walk is based on a walk  from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain".  The Cwm Conwy walk is one of my favourite walks in the Halkyn area at any time of the year. The extension continues the walk as far as the old cemetery at Halkyn, but any additional extension would need to include Halkyn Mountain itself - not to everyone taste! 

Saturday 21st November 2026. 

By arrangement.

Wednesday 25th November 2026.

White Nancy, Big Low, Berristall Vale and the Saddle of Kerridge.

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb: 2000'
Start: The Adlington Street car park Grid ref: SJ931782 or Pool Bank Car Park on Palmerston Street (opposite the Spinners Arms Grid Ref: SJ 93707790).

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn (I will drive), . 

Those not walking: , .

This is another walk that combines two walks from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks". He describes the walks as moderate to strenuous and includes some of the most scenic surroundings around Bollington. We have already strolled along Kerridge Hill and can vouch for that part of the walk.

These walks include some of the most scenic areas around Bollington and at the same time give hints of Bollington's industrial past.

Walks and Dates December 2026

Wednesday 2nd December 2026.

A Cadole, Pantymwyn. Pont Newydd and Leete Round.

Distance: 5 - 6 miles. Climb: 423'.

Start; Layby on the Cadole to Gwernaffield Road. Grid ref: SJ2052 6270.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, 

Those not walking:  .

This was one of the first short walks that we did in November 2022.

Saturday 5th December 2026

By arrangement.

Wednesday 9th December 2026.

Fron Hen, Loggerheads and Big Covert.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1250'.

Start: Layby on the A494 Mold to Ruthin Road, about 1/2 mile South of Llanferres. Grid ref: SJ187597.

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk explores the lower slopes of the Clwydians on the way to Loggerheads and returns to Llanferres along the Western edge of Big Covert.

The last time we did this walk, there was snow on the ground!

Saturday 12th December 2026.

By arrangement.

Wednesday 16th December 2026.

Burton, Neston and Parkgate with a short Extension.

Distance: 8-10 miles. (With plenty of opportunities to shorten the walk on the day if we decide that is what we want). Climb:450'.
Start: Roadside parking on Denhall Lane next to benches overlooking the marshes. Grid ref: SJ301747.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking: .

The Burton circuit is taken from Jen Darling's book "Walks in West Cheshire and the Wirral". The extension will involve some road walking through Neston to link up with the Wirral Way and onto Parkgate. The return route will use coastal paths as much as possible and passes Neston Old Quay and Denhall Quay on the way back to Denhall Lane.
High tide is about 1526-27. 8.1 m / 26.6. Perhaps, we should do the walk in he opposite direction (clockwise) to the way that we normally do the walk.

If we do it that way, we might get it right going through Burton Wood!

Saturday 19th December 2026.

By arrangement.

Wednesday 23rd December 2026.

Arranged on request.

Saturday 26th December 2026.

Boxing Day - No walk.

Birdwatching at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR 17th October 2026

Looking across the Main Scrape to Moel Famau.

The Main Scrape at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR.

Cattle egrets with the cattle.

Woodland Pool.

Whooper swan on Bridge Pool.

Two more Whooper swans on Bridge Pool.

A Ruby tiger moth caterpillar 

(if Google lens is right!)

Distance: 3.0 miles. Climb: About 100'.

Temperature: About 15 Celsius (felt much warmer in the Sunshine).

Beaufort Wind Force: 0 Calm - No wind at all!
It was a really lovely morning, bright and sunny, a better day foe walking than birdwatching.  The bright sun made observing the birds more difficult.  Nevertheless, it was worth going and being outside for a few hours.

Birds seen or heard included: Common blackbird, European robin, Cetti warbler, Rook, Raven, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Teal, Mallard, Moorhen, Avocet, Shoveler, Shelduck, Little egret, Great white egret, Black tailed godwit, Whooper swan, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Long tailed tit, Green sandpiper, Wood nuthatch, Black billed magpie, Woodpigeon, Canada goose, Pink footed goose, Little grebe, Common kestrel and Ruff.

Coed Ceunant and the Afon Clwyd 14th October 2026

Ruthin Craft Centre, the start of our walk today.

First view of Moel Famau as we crossed the field to Llanbedr DC/

The entrance to St. Peter's Church, Llanbedr DC.

The harvest festival display in the entrance to the church.

Inside St. Peter's Church, Llanbedr DC.

Enjoying a coffee.

Owl carving in a garden in Llanbedr DC.

Remains of the medieval church of St. Peter.

At the medieval church of St. Peter.

At the medieval church of St. Peter.

Heading for Coed Ceunant.

Heading for Coed Ceunant.

The path through Coed Ceunant.

Another delightful path through Coed Ceunant,

The gateway to the Moel Famau Country Park.

A fallen tree rests on the drystone wall.

Our path descended through high bracken.

A new gate near Fron-bellaf.

View from our lunch spot above Fron Ganol.

A Parasol mushroom near Fron Ganol.

The completed part of the mill near the Afon Clwyd

View across the Afon Clwyd towards the Clwydian Hills.

Not much water flowing over these steps / fisher laddes today.

It would have been nice to see at least one of these today, but alas we didn't see any!

Distance: 7.6 miles. Climb: 925’.
Time: 4 hours 4 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walking average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 18 Celsius throughout the walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 1-2. Mainly no more than Light air
Group: Martyn and Fran.
Another good day for walking, largely sunny in the morning, but clouding over during the afternoon. Nevertheless, it was pleasantly warm all day.
The first part of the walk took us round the back of Ruthin School past all of the impressive new buildings, sadly no longer used as a school.
Crossing the fields to Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd, some of the stiles had been replaced with kissing-gates, and a new footbridge had been installed, always appreciated by us pensioners!
St. Peter’s Church at Llanbedr DC was open, so naturally we went in. Fran noticed that there was a coffee machine there, and decided it was a good time for a coffee. She paid by card, but nearly paid £350 for it, rather than £3-50 that she wanted to!
Once again, we visited the medieval church of St. Peter, not far from Llanbedr Hall, before heading for Coed Ceunant.
Lunch was taken on the slopes of Moel y Gaer, with views of Fron Ganol below us.
After lunch, our route was almost a direct line the Afon Clwyd, passing some impressive new houses on the way.
Although the path back to Ruthin takes us next to river, views of the river were largely blocked by overgrown vegetation.
The river was very low, but still enough for some young cows to enjoy running through it.
Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Common blackbird, Common starling, Common pheasant, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Raven and Black billed magpie.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk.
After walk refreshments were enjoyed at the Ruthin Castle Hotel (Wetherspoon),