Leasowe to New Brighton 1st February 2014

The approach to Leasowe Lighthouse at the start of the walk.

The tide already well in as we head for New Brighton.

An impression of the number of waders swirling around as high tide approached.

A Common scoter, first spotted by Mike.

A Turnstone and a Sanderling.

A Red-breasted merganser, shares the pontoon with Common Redshank, Ringed plover and Great cormorant.

Perch Rock Lighthouse.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.7 miles. Climb: 200'.

Time: 4 hours 23 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Mike.

The weather forecast for Betws-y-coed was for heavy rain and 30 m.p.h. winds all day, so at the last minute we decided to have a walk nearer home, just in case we had to abandon the walk at any point!

In fact the we got the wettest returning to the car after our after walk drinks at the Wheatsheaf at Raby, a mere twenty yards!

 On the walk it threatened to rain a couple of times, but never lasted for more than a minute or too, even the wind wasn't that strong.

 High tide was around mid-day, and even at 10-00,  it was well in and virtually all the beach was covered.

 The number of waders swirling over the sea at times was really impressive, but the bird of the day was undoubtedly the two Common scoter that were seen quite close in near one of the breakwaters.

 The waves did crash over the front wall, but only significantly by New Brighton Marine lake, where the wall has been replaced by railings.

 Lunch was taken, using one of the many wind shelters that overlooked the Marine Lake.

Bird seen or heard today included: Common scoter, Dunlin, Red-breasted merganser, Common starling, Sanderling, Oystercatcher, Eurasian curlew, Turnstone, Common redshank, Ringed plover, Purple sandpiper, Great cormorant, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Stonechat, Carrion crow and Feral pigeon.

 Brimstage's Trapper's Hat went down well as we celebrated how blessed we were to have had a good walk without getting wet and having found three public toilets on the walk that were still open and free! Not to forget that the Wheatsheaf at Raby with its real fires and good beers is always a good place to go, especially after a walk on a cold day.

 No prizes for guessing where we will go for after walk drinks on the 6th!