Roosting Common redshank and Turnstones on the rocks by the Old Baths, West Kirby.
The seaward side of West Kirby Marine Lake.
One man and his dog are somewhere there in the picture!
Feeling safe now that we are in Marine Lake car Park.
Brent geese on West Kirby Shore.
Just a few Dunlin and Knott.
Swirlng Dunlin and Knott over the sea between the shore and Hilbre.
Swirlng Dunlin and Knott over the sea between the shore and Hilbre.
More swirlng Dunlin and Knott over the sea between the shore and Hilbre.
The Memorial on Grange Hill from the Carr Lane Footpath.
Flooded fiels near Carr Lane
On our welcome escape route.
Why we needed an escape route.
The west facing side of Grange Hill Memorial.
The east facing side of Grange Hill Memorial.
Descending on the path over Caldy Hill, eventually passing a few posh houses to the Wirral Way and the coast
Heading northward through the cliff top picnic site back to West Kirby.
Last views of Hilbre.
A lone walker on the beach, but not one of ours.
Walk stats: 8.9 miles: Climb: 370'.
Time: 4 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h. ( Slower than usual as I stopped for afternoon tea!
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, David S., Mike, Paul and Scrumble.
The forecast today was pretty good for walking, overcast , but little chance of rain, a gentle breeze and a little sunshine.
Our first challenge of the day was the walk along the west side of the Marine Lake, with the tide coming in fast, would be beat or would we get wet feet?
We did make, although we did get splashed a little as the waves crashes on the rocks near us.
We were also able to walk along the beach towards Red Rocks, taking the recently accepted right of way footpath across the dunes next to the golf course.
From this vantage point we had some good views of waders on the thousands swirling around over the sea between us and Hilbre.
Our next challenge came as we was along Carr Lane as it went across flat fields towards Newton/Frankby. Unfortunately much of these fields were flooded and all are efforts to get round the flooded area failed, but we did end up with clean boots rather than muddy boots.
We did find an alternative route, perhaps not on a right of way, but at least it was "dry" route to the Gilroy N.R.
We eventually arrived at the top of Grange Hill, where we took advantage of the many benches there. Fortified fruit cake was provided to energise us for the rest of the walk. By now we were basking in pleasant sunshine.
After lunch this warm sunshine accompanied us all the way back to the start. I should have taken my jacket off at lunch time, rather than wait to the Caldy Wirral way picnic site and "afternoon tea stop".
Considering our boggy field experiences, this was an enjoyable walk, capped with after walk drinks at the Wheatsheaf at Raby, Brimstage Brewery's Tapper's Hat went down well.
Birds seen or heard included: Dunlin, Turnstone, Common redshank, Great cormorant, Black headed gull, Great Black backed gull, Knott, Pied wagtail, Goldfinch, European robin, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon,House sparrow, Carrion crow, Common kestrel and Eurasian curlew.
No comments:
Post a Comment