Where to watch birds

Fiddler’s Ferry Lagoons

O.S. ref. SJ55-85-. Situated between Warrington and Widnes the main interest at this site is centred on four large sludge lagoons built on saltmarsh on the north bank of the River Mersey. Access is by permit only and is restricted to the ‘Bird Hide Trail’ which runs through the station, between the lagoons to a bird hide overlooking one of the lagoons and the nearby river (write to station manager for application form). 

Access: The station entrance is off the A562 Widnes Road, the visitor’s car park is the first turning on the right, there are bus stops nearby. All visitors must report to security on arrival.

Ornithological interest;
All year -  Grey Heron, Cormorant, Shelduck, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine, Lapwing, Redshank, Grey Wagtail, Raven and Reed Bunting.

Winter  - The lagoons attract numerous wildfowl particularly Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard and Tufted Duck with smaller numbers of Wigeon, Gadwall with occasional Scaup, Goldeneye etc. Variable numbers of Golden Plover join the Lapwing flocks as do small numbers of Dunlin, a flock of up to 250 Curlew occur. Small numbers of Jack Snipe and Snipe occur on the saltmarsh pools. Iceland, Glaucous and Yellow-legged Gull occur as do Water Rail, Short-eared Owl, Fieldfare, Redwing, Stonechat, and occasional Twite.

Summer - Up to 20 Great Crested Grebe on the lagoons, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed and Ringed Plover sometimes attempt to breed. Cuckoo are still seen, up to 100 pairs of Sand Martin have bred on site as do Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Grasshopper, Sedge, Reed and Willow Warbler.

Passage - Waders such as Ruff, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Green and Common Sandpiper appear particularly in the autumn. Occasional Terns may be seen on the river with possible Little Gull. Small numbers of Wheatear occur mainly on spring passage.

Gatewarth Tip & Richmond Bank

O.S. Ref. SJ57-87-. Situated on the north bank of the River Mersey below Penketh, Gatewarth Tip is a disused landfill site now being developed as a nature reserve. The nearby sewage works has several pools which are overlooked from this site. Richmond Bank is a large mud-flat in the river. 

Access - From A562 into Tannery Lane then right into Station Road, parking by the level crossing (follow signs for Yacht Haven). After crossing railway line and canal follow towpath as far as power station pumphouse immediately after which is a grass bund leading towards the river, alternatively use the footpath by the canal bridge.

Ornithological interest;
All year  - Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Lapwing, Redshank, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, Linnet and Reed Bunting.

Winter - Teal, Gadwall, Peregrine, Snipe, Glaucous, Iceland and other rare gulls, Short-eared Owl, occasional Water Pipit and Stonechat.

Summer  - Little and Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall and Ruddy Duck on Pools, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed and Ringed Plover on river, Grasshopper, Sedge, Reed and Willow Warblers and Whitethroat, Long-eared Owl often hunts over the saltmarsh and nearby fields.

Passage  - Garganey, waders have included Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Common and Green Sandpiper, also Black Tern, Yellow-legged Gull, Whinchat and Wheatear. 

Moore Nature Reserve

O.S. Ref. SJ57-85-. At present the reserve covers an area of 180 acres north of the Manchester Ship Canal between Warrington and Runcorn. The site has a variety of habitat including several large pools, numerous ponds and ditches, reed-beds, mature and recently planted woodland areas, rough grassland and farmland. Between the reserve and the River Mersey is a large landfill site. Telephone 01925 444689

Access - From Runcorn Road through Moore village turn down Moore Lane, cross ship canal into Lapwing Lane parking on right-hand road at cross-roads or at the end of the lane. A visitor centre and associated car park is planned. At the eastern end access on foot or bicycle is possible. Bus stops in Moore village.

Ornithological interest;
All year  - Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Tufted and Ruddy Duck, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Lapwing, Tawny and Little Owl, all three Woodpeckers, Willow and Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Raven, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer.

Winter  - Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard and Goldeneye on pools, Curlew feed on nearby fields, Snipe and Water Rail on pools, Iceland and Glaucous Gull on nearby tip, occasional Short-eared Owl on farmland. Woodland birds include Fieldfare, Redwing, feeding station attracts Brambling, Redpoll and Siskin.

Summer  – one or two pairs of Black-necked Grebe now occur, also Great Crested Grebe on pools, Little Ringed Plover have bred on site as do Cuckoo. A variety of hirundines and warblers occur including Grasshopper and Garden Warbler. Barn Owl over nearby farmland. 

Passage  - Occasional Whimbrel, Common and Green Sandpiper on pools (latter has overwintered), also Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat and Wheatear.

Risley Moss

O.S. Ref. SJ66-91-. One of the last remaining mosslands in Cheshire & now managed as a nature reserve. Part of the reserve is peat moss (normally closed to the public) and deciduous (mainly Birch) woodland with numerous ponds. There are two hides and an observation tower overlooking the mossland. Tel 01925 824339

Access - From the M62 at junction 11 take A574, turn left at first roundabout into Moss Gate, reserve entrance is straight ahead at second roundabout. There are bus stops along Ordnance Avenue by the reserve entrance, access from Birchwood Station via Birchwood Brook Park (c30 min walk).

Ornithological interest;
All year  - Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed, Willow and Coal Tit, Treecreeper, Redpoll, Bullfinch and Reed Bunting.

Winter  - Teal on mossland pools along with various birds of prey e.g. Hen Harrier and Merlin, Snipe, Fieldfare, Redwing and Siskin in woodland. 

Summer  – Hobby often hunt mossland for dragonflies. Little Ringed Plover has bred on mossland, Cuckoo seen regularly as are numerous hirundines. Various warbler species include Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Blackcap. 

Passage  - Marsh Harrier over mossland, Green and Common Sandpiper and other waders on mossland pools.

Rixton Claypits Nature Reserve

O.S. Ref. SJ68-90-. Originally a site of clay extraction for a nearby brickworks west of Warrington, the site is now an SSSI with a range of habitats including woodland, grassland and wetlands. Tel 0161 777 9726

Access  - Leave Warrington East along the A57 Manchester Road, after crossing the M6 continue for c1.5 miles turn left into Moat Lane, park along roadside or in lorry park. Bus stops along Manchester Road.

Ornithological interest;
All year  - Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Tufted and Ruddy Duck on pools, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Tit, Nuthatch and Bullfinch.

Winter  - Wildfowl such as Gadwall, Shoveler, Pintail and Pochard on the pools, also Water Rail, Jack Snipe and Snipe. Fieldfare, Redwing, Brambling and Siskin in woodlands.

Summer  - Occasional Cuckoo and Turtle Dove, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap etc. 

Passage  - Birds of prey such as Hen and Marsh Harrier, also various wader species. 

Sankey Valley Park

O.S. Ref. SJ58-89-. A linear park running along the Sankey-St. Helens Canal from Sankey Bridges north to Bewsey. The site has numerous wooded areas, open grassland and various ponds and small areas of reed-bed. Tel 01925 571836

Access  - From A57 (Sankey Way) turn into Cromwell Avenue at traffic lights, car park to right at first roundabout. Various bus stops along Cromwell Avenue and at Sankey Bridges. 

Ornithological interest;
All year  - Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Redpoll and Bullfinch.

Winter  - Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Fieldfare, Redwing, occasional Brambling and Siskin. Snipe and Short-eared Owl on nearby Bewsey Tip.

Summer  - Reed Sedge Warbler along canal, Whitethroat and occasional Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap etc. in woodlands.

Walton Hall & Appleton Reservoir

O.S. Ref. SJ59-84-. An area of open parkland SW of Warrington adjacent to the Bridgewater Canal, the area is primarily open parkland but there are areas of mature woodland particularly on Hill Cliffe. Appleton Reservoir is a small man-made lake to the south of the area. Tel 01925 601617

Access  - From the A56 New Chester Road turn into Chester Road then Walton Lea Road by the Walton Arms Pub, car park (pay & display) at end of road on the left. Bus stop along Chester Road by Walton Arms pub. 

Ornithological interest;
All year  - Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit and Bullfinch in woodlands. Grey Heron, Ruddy Duck, and Reed Bunting on and around reservoir.

Winter  - Fieldfare, Redwing and Siskin in Woodlands. Wildfowl on the reservoir may include Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye, also Grey Wagtail.

Summer  - Cuckoo occasionally occur in the area, Blackcap etc. in woodland. Several pairs of Little and Great Crested Grebe breed on the reservoir where numerous hirundines feed, Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat also occur. 

Passage  - Osprey has occurred over the reservoir. Occasional waders on the reservoir e.g. Little Ringed and Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper etc., also occasional terns. 

Woolston Eyes

O.S. Ref. SJ65-88-. A series of four dredging deposit grounds situated between the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal east of Warrington. Most of the area is overgrown with scrub but there are areas of open water and woodland, there are several hides on the reserve. Access by permit only. 

Access - Leave Warrington on A57 Manchester Road towards M6, turn right into Weir Lane and follow road to car park at end. Bus stops along Manchester Road near Weir Lane. Alternatively proceed along Knutsford Road into Thelwall Lane towards Latchford Locks, key to the barrier at the end of Thelwall Lane available to permit holders (also needed for access to No. 3 bed and hides). 

Ornithological interest;
All year  - Little and Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Lapwing, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Willow Tit, Bullfinch and Reed Bunting.

Winter  - Shelduck, Wigeon, Pintail, Goldeneye occur regularly as do occasional Smew and Goosander. Goshawk, Water Rail, Snipe, Woodcock, Long-eared Owl, Water Pipit, Fieldfare, Redwing and Siskin.

Summer  - Black-necked Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Cuckoo, numerous hirundines and large numbers of most warbler species.

Passage  - Garganey, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Green and Common Sandpiper, occasional terns, Whinchat, Wheatear and Goldcrest.

Photographs with the kind permission of Mike Roberts