The North Wirral Coastal Park and More 28th May 2022

Leasowe Lighthouse - open for tours on 5th June.

A Dunnock sings from a hedge next to Kerr's Field, Leasowe.

Free range chickens enjoying a scrat.

Looking towards Hoylake from the North Wirral Coastal Park.

Looking towards Leasowe from the North Wirral Coastal Park.

Sailing out of Liverpool.

The port of Liverpool on the skylone.

i was tempted to head for Cemlyn Bay to see the tern colony, but overslept and decided to head for the North Wirral Coast instead.

I was surprised how busy it was even more so when on my way back, I failed to find a place to park next to West Kirby Marine Lake.

Birds seen or heard on my gentle three mile stroll included: Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Herring gull, Lesser black back gull, Sedge warbler, Common blackbird, Great cormorant, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff, Winter wren, Black billed magpie, Stonechat, Barn swallow, House martin, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Canada goose and Skylark.

I did see a Common buzzard, but that was from the car as I went past the Shocklagh crossroads.

 

Burton Point and Decca Pools 27th April 2022

 Moel Famau from Station Road, Burton.

On lamb getting to recognise another lamb."

"Too many lambs - which one belongs to me."

" think it's this one!"

One lamb tries to join its friends.

The lamb tries gain to join its friends.

Third attempt, but fales again.

"Ok, we'll join you!"

Walk stats: 3.0 miles. Climb: 56'.

Time: 2 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.

Temperature: 11 - 14 Celsius. Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 1 Calm to Light air.

Group: Martyn.

With a dental appointment forcing me to miss out on the usual walk with Harris Hikers, the weather looked too good to not to have a walk at all. I did a lot of lamb watching as well!

I decided on a bit of birdwatching between Burton Point and Decca Pools, starting from Station Road, Burton.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common pheasant, Woodpigeon, Common whitethroat, Goldfinch, Blackcap, Common blackbird, Goldfinch, Chiffchaff, Cetti warbler,Sedge warbler, Reed warbler, Stonechat, Rook, Jackdaw, Blue tit, Pied wagtail, House sparrow, Winter wren, Grey heron, Tufted duck, Common coot, Mallard, Little egret, Black headed gull, Dunnock, House sparrow and Barn swallow.

A very pleasant stroll along the Millenium Way, lots of people (dog walkers, birdwatchers and a few just walking) and as ever too many cyclists for my liking, but at least today they were riding responsibly when passing people on foot. However too many cyclists allowed gates to swing shut making a clanging sound as the metal gate hit the metal post - not one carefully closed the gate!

A Willaston and Raby Round 29th January 2020

Approaching Hadlow Station along the platform from the car park.

Looking along Hadlow Station towards the signal box.

Redwing in a field near Willaston.

Redwing in a field near Willaston.

Our first sighting of the Mill nea\r Willaston.

A close up fo the Mill nweaer Willaston.

One of the better bridleways on our route to Raby today.

Fieldfare and Jackdaws in fields North west of The Mill, Willaston.

Roger putting his best foot forward having hit the tired leg barrier!

Walk stats: Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 316'.

Time: 4 hours 17 minutes: On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Roger.

This isn't a walk that has mustered up even a glimmer of enthusiasm amongst our normal group members with a remarkable number of excuses being offered :- having a tooth out yesterday, a second cataract done just a few days ago, walking two dogs, baby sitting and D,I.Y. and even more, although being in the over seventy bracket I have the excuse I can't remember the rest!

 We set off from the start at Hadlow Station in glorious sunshine and blue skies. It was a little blustery at the start, as Roger soon realised has he nearly lost his Tilley as we walked through Willaston.

 Our was nominally 7.5 miles, but thanks to our inability to look at strategic points we ended up doing a little more.

 The bird count started well as we headed towards The Mill at Willaston, where we saw at least two Redwing foraging with Balckbirds.

 The first problem we encountered was near Cherry Farm, South of Raby, where a kissing gate engaged us for some time. Thankfully with Roger pulling it as hard as he could , I was able to squeeze through without the inconvenience of taking my rucksack off.

 Lunch was taking along the bridleway towards Willaston, where too advantage of a Ivy covered tree stump on which to perch, little rwalisinfg that just 50 metres beyond was a bench!

 Our second mistake was to take the path heading for Benty heath Lane, but at least it enabled us to see two Common buzzards and two Browm hares as we approached the road leading to Raby House Farm.

Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, Great tit, Common blackbird, Greenfinch, Common chaffinch, House sparrow, Common buzzard, Redwing, Fieldfare, Mallard, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Herring gull, Common gull, Jackdaw, Rook, Black billed magpie, Common crow, Song thrush, European robin and Eurasian jay.

 We arrived back at the car with our boots needing cleaning, but this didn't stop us saying that we had experienced a good walk and our legs knowing this was true.

 It suited us to go straight home, Roger was hopeful of going to his optician to pick up his latest new spectacles, and me to call at Morrison's in Saltney to pick up some of my latest tipple (Weston's Heritage Still Cider.

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.

Leasowe Lighthouse, New Brighton and More 8th January 2020

The way ahead - the tide well in, so the only ption is along the promenade.

Oystercatchers sheltering on one of groynes opposite Leasowe Castle.

One ferry leaving Liverppool.

Formby Beach and the Gormley Statues.

Birds roosting on the pontoon in New Brighton Marine Lake.

ommon redshank roosting on the pontoon in New Brighton Marine Lake.

Black Pearl.

Paddy's Wigwam.

A Great cormorant keeps guard over roosting birds on the pontoon in New Brighton Marine Lake.

At last walking on the beach.

A  Great white egret?

Leasowe Lighthouse - only open on the first Sunday of the month (14-00 to16-00).

Lapwing in the paddock.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.0 miles Climb: 171'.

Time: 4 hours 27 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Nigel and Fran.

Arriving at Leasowe, the keen Westerly wind encouraged us to put on our jackets and in some cases their over trousers just to keep warm. Thankfully the wind soon died down and it became warm enough for at least one member of the group to walk in a short sleeves shirt without a jacket for the rest of the walk.

 Heading for New Brighton, the water was too far in to enable us to walk along the beach, but had receded enough for to do so on the way back. We went onto the beach near the Lifeboat lookout post.

 The views were pretty good and we could see people walking on Formby Beach between the Gormley Statues.

 Lunch was taken by the New Brighton Marine Lake, where we were able to take advantage of the benches in one of the wind shelters.

 After finishing off the last of the fortified fruit cake we headed back towards Leasowe, and o this occasion we completed the extra mile by walking to Leasowe Lighthouse.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Pied wagtail, European robin, Common starling, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Great black backed gull, Oystercatcher, Great cormorant, Common redshank, Turnstone, Purple sandpiper, Feral pigeon, Carrion crow and Great white egret.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, but only after the fortified fruit cake!

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wheasheaf at Raby, where the Brimstage Brewery's Trapper's Hat went down particularly well.

West Kirby, Red Rocks, Gilroy N.R., Grange Hill and Caldy Hill 13th November 2019.

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.