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ADMINISTRATION:
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Bird
Sanctuaries & Nature Reserves
These venues are
within a day's return trip by car from Manchester City Centre.
The Wildlife Trust
Wherever you live
in the United Kingdom, you'll find a local Wildlife Trust near you.
Some local Trusts are now online.
The
Wildlife Trust National Office
The Green, Witham Park, Waterside South, Lincoln
LN5 7JR.
Tel (01522) 544 400 Fax (01522) 511 616. Email - wildlifersnc@cix.compulink.co.uk
Registered Charity No. 207238. The
Trusts cover the following local areas :
Hillside Ornamental
Fowl
Beech
Hill, Mobberley, Cheshire. Telephone: 01565-873 282.
Flamingos,
pelicans, toucans, penguins and wallabies are found here. Parking
on site, picnic area, and refreshments available. Red Rocks Marsh
Our only coastal reserve. Situated on the north of the Wirral coastline
between West Kirby and Hoylake. Nominated as both the 'best' reserve
and the 'best birdwatching' reserve this site on the North Wirral
coast . The reserve is 4 hectares and consists of a reedbed, a salt-marsh,
and both embryo and secondary dunes and slacks. Access is via Stanley
Road, Hoylake. Progress on foot onto the foreshore and then left onto
the reserve. Unfortunately, the site is not accessible to wheelchair
users.
Holcroft Moss
An area of raised
peat bog and scrub birch woodland lying next to the M62 motorway just
outside of Glazebury in Warrington. The last remaining area of this
type of habitat within the county.
The Quinta
The Quinta at
Swettenham comprises over 36 acres of ancient woodland, grassland,
an arboretum and water features. Part of the property is designated
a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), whilst another part
is a Site of Biological Importance (SBI). The new woodland area is
grant-aided by the Forestry Authority, and the grassland is covered
by a Countryside Commission stewardship scheme. The reserve also forms
part of Cheshire County Council's Dane Valley Area of Special County
Value for Landscape (ASCV). Because of the mosaic of habitats on the
reserve, the opportunities for use as an educational resource are
vast. It is intended that, over the next few years, interpretation
displays will be installed on the site to add to the experience of
the visit.
Wildfowl & Wetlands
Trust Martin Mere
Tel:
01704- 895 181.
Martin Mere
is in Lancashire between Ormskirk and Southport, an excellent place
for seeing huge numbers of Pinkfoot Geese, Bewick and Whooper Swans
as well as large numbers of Duck. Renowned for its wide selection
of ducks, geese, swans and flamingos Martin Mere's facilities include:
childrens adventure playground, pond-dipping zone, exhibition/craft
gallery and superb bird watching facilities. There is an ongoing programme
of special events and activities. The site is open all year round
daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm (earlier in winter). Closed 25 December.
Free parking for cars and coaches; restaurant; gift shop; facilities
for disabled people; wheelchair access.
Leighton Moss
Leighton
Moss, Silverdale, Carnforth, Lancashire. Tel: 01524 701 601.
One of north-west
England's largest venues for birdwatching, with shallow meres, reed-beds
and woodland. Its varied wildlife includes such special birds as breeding
bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers, otters and roe and red
deer. As well as a centre with excellent information, the reserve
has seven birdwatching hides, four of which have wheelchair access,
and nature trails. Facilities include car parking, a picnic area,
shop, snacks and light refreshments facilities, cycle facilities,
visitor centre and organised teaching programmes. There are toilets
with facilities for disabled visitors. On offer is also binocular
hire. There is a charge for RSPB non-members. Opening times are from
1000 am - 5.00 pm. Public transport: rail - Silverdale 200 yards.
Members of the RSPB and its club for children, the YOC, are admitted
free to all RSPB reserves. You may join the Society at reserves.
Mersey Estuary
The Mersey Estuary
has a similar range of species to the Dee, with especially large numbers
of Pintail, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Dunlin and Redshank. The Duck
have decreased in recent years but good numbers still occur. Unfortunately
the best areas for the duck, Manisty Bay and Stanlow Marshes, have
no public access but you may be able to visit by arrangement with
the Merseyside Naturalists Association. Areas where there is public
access are Seaforth Nature Reserve (North Liverpool), Otterspool Promenade,
Hale Lighthouse and Eastham Country Park. Seaforth Nature Reserve
in particular is well worth a visit. Although not a pretty place at
the North end of Liverpool docks this reserve is a magnet for birds,
these include a good selection of waders and gulls as well as a nesting
colony of Common Terns.
Frodsham Marshes
Frodsham Marshes
are an exceptional area for birdwatching all year round. Species include
a large range of duck species, Hen Harriers, Marsh Harriers, various
waders including a good selection of rarities and in 1997 Spoonbills
attempted to breed with up to six present during the summer.
Woolston Eyes
Woolston Eyes
Reserve is an area of water, marsh and reed beds situated between
the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey near Warrington. Two
hundred and twenty species have been recorded on the Reserve, including
thirteen species of raptor, more than thirty species of wader, all
five grebes, the three woodpeckers, and five species of owl. In winter
large numbers of wildfowl can be seen and in the spring and summer
several hundred warblers breed.
Conwy Estuary
The Conwy Estuary
has similar duck and waders to the Dee, albeit in smaller numbers,
but has the added bonus of some exceptional scenery. There is an RSPB
reserve here (just off the A55) which has a number of freshwater lakes
as well as good views over the estuary.
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