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[edit] Overview

This reserve covers a large part of the eastern side of the Dee Estuary and consists of extensive areas of saltmarsh with numerous creeks, below which are large areas of inter-tidal mudflats. In addition there is a reedbed by the shore at Neston.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Although there are breeding Common Shelduck, Oystercatcher and Common Redshank and the reedbed at Neston has breeding warblers, the importance of this reserve lies in the large numbers of wintering and passage waterfowl and waders.

Ducks occurring here include Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal and this is an outstanding site for Northern Pintail. Waders occur in very large numbers and species such as Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Red Knot, Dunlin, Eurasian Curlew and Common Redshank are always present in autumn and winter.

The saltmarshes also attract finches and Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet and Reed Bunting. Brambling and Twite are also often present.

Attracted by the vast wintering flocks are Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Great Cormorant, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Red Knot, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Jack Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Chaffinch, Brambling, European Greenfinch, Eurasian Linnet, Twite, Reed Bunting, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Water Rail

[edit] Other Wildlife

To do

[edit] Site Information

[edit] Areas of Interest

There are good viewpoints from a footpath adjacent to the Boathouse Restaurant and from the 'Old Baths' car park which is reached by driving along the lane in front of the Boathouse.

[edit] Access and Facilities

Gayton Sands can be viewed from Parkgate, reached on the B5135 road from the A540 Chester-Hoylake road.

Grid reference: SJ273789

[edit] Contact Details

Tel: 0151 3367681 (RSPB.)

[edit] External Links

• RSPB Gayton Sands
• Gayton Sands on Streetmap

Content and images originally posted by Steve