[Ianwxm]

Hi

I'm heading back home to Wrexham for the weekend and am trying to fit in a first time visit to the Dee Estuary (first time birding that is). Can anybody tell me the best sites for a newbie like me and preferably on the Welsh side (only cos I'll be travelling from Wrexham)

Ian

[JWN Andrewes]

Hi Ian

Flint Castle's not bad. I sometimes do a walk from there south past the rugby pitch for a little way. Sometimes Twite in winter. Point of Ayr also, though it's been a while since I've been up there. Just round the corner on the English side is Inner Marsh Farm (RSPB members only, closed Tuesdays), from Burton village take the road down towrds the saltmarsh, turn left towards Burton Point Farm - car park at the end.

Have a good weekend

James

[Liz Watson]

Hi Ian,

Check out the excellent Dee Estuary website, it's got lots of suggestions for both Welsh and English sides.

http://www.deeestuary.co.uk/

And make sure you check the tides and time your visit - it can seem a very empty grassy place at low tide. Looking at the tide timetable for this weekend, you will need an early start as high tide on Sunday is around 10am (you better check that as I am using a website I haven;t used before and may be reading it wrong!).

2 hours before high tide is usually best, our favourite place is the Old Baths car park at Neston which is just superb for raptors on a good high tide. Hen Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine should all be around. And Little Egret unmissable these days.

There is also still a Green-Winged Teal at Inner Marsh Farm but access for card carrying RSPB members only.

Have a great time and post to tell us how you went on.

Good birding,

Liz

[Ianwxm]

- for the advice.

Inner Marsh Farm looks an option.

The website link is really useful

Cheers

Ian

[Ianwxm]

Thanks for the tips, I eventually did make it to the Dee, to Point of Ayr and Inner Marsh Farm. The glorious weather helped. As I'm new to birding I saw lots of birds that were 'new' to me so i enjoyed the trip. ( I missed out on the blue winged Teal though)

Ian