Around West Kirby Marine Lake and Hilbre Island 18th January 2020

 A drake Goldeneye on West Kirby Marine Lake.

A Eurasian curlew on the estuary mud flats West of the Marine Lake.

Headig out to Little Eye.

Middle Eye and Hilbre Island from Little Eye.

Looking across the estuary towards the lighthouse at Talacre.

Nearly at Middle Eye.

Grey seas on the sand banks in the middle of the estuary.

Brent geese feeding on seaweed on the rocks between Middle Eye and Hilbre Island..

The advance party heading up the track onto Hilbre Island.

The view from the old lifeboat launching ramp on Hilbre Island.

The old Telegraph Station on Hilbre Island.

Lunch time on Middle Eye - photo taken by Nigel.

The return route from Middle Eye to Little Eye.

On the way back to Little Eye.

A few more going around the Marine Lake - only Nigel decided to follow them.

Walk stats: Distance: 6.3 miles. Climb: 417' (wind assisted GPS reading). In reality about 100'.

Time: 3 hours 38 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Jim, Denise, Roger, Celia, Nigel and Elaine

This was a good day for walking weatherwise, largely sunny with a cool refreshing wind.

Lots of other people thought that a stroll across the sands to Hilbre Island was a good idea as well.

 I made the mistake of going to the West side of the rock outcrops, that meant we had a tricky section of seaweed covered rocks to cross to get back to the steps at the South end of Middle Eye.

 The others wisely went across the sand further to the East side of the seaweed covered rocks. We eventually joined up again near the Old Telegraph Station on Hilbre Island.

 After exploring Hilbre Island as far as the lifeboat launching ramp, we set off on the return route.

 Lunch was taken near the steps on the South end of Middle Eye, where we were able to sit on rocks, largely sheltered from the breeze.

 We arrived back at the car just before 13-30, having had an enjoyable walk and ready for refreshments a the Red Fox at Thornton Hough. As usual it was very busy, but eventually managed to get seats on a small table , just big enough to get seven bar stools around.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Herring gull, Great cormorant, Goosander, Goldeneye, Eurasian curlew, Oystercatcher, Common redshank, Brent goose and House sparrow.