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The Dee Estuary, on the North Wales / North-West England border, is one of the United Kingdom's premier birding locations for wetland and shorebirds. This Web site describes the best Dee Estuary birdwatching areas with detailed maps and latest bird news for dedicated twitchers and casual birdwatchers alike.

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December Newsletter now published on this website featuring 'A Pied Wheatear at Meols', Colour Ring Report and Latest Events.

Latest Sightings.... (more)

Dec 17
1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier ringtail, 2 Short-eared Owl and 3+ Great Egret - Parkgate.
2 Marsh Harrier and 1 Peregrine - Burton Mere Wetlands.
1,430 Pink-footed Geese left the roost at first light, also 680 Curlew and 114 Golden Plover - Heswall Shore.
1 Bittern (flew in from Parkgate), 8+ Marsh Harrier and 4 Great Egret - Neston Reed bed at dusk.

Dec 16
4 Hen Harrier ( a pair of adults, and a pair of juveniles), 7 Marsh Harrier, 2 Short eared Owl, 2 Peregrine, 1 male Merlin, 1 Raven, 1 Barn Owl and 2 Great Egret - Parkgate.
1 Great Northern Diver - West Kirby Marine Lake.
200+ Brent Geese (including 1 dark-bellied), 1 Rock Pipit and 2 Stock Dove - Hilbre.

Dec 15
1 Great Northern Diver, 10 Brent Geese, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Goosander and 1 Goldeneye (male) - West Kirby Marine Lake.
1 Snow Bunting on shore just below Target Road sewage works - Heswall Shore.

Dec 14
1 Great Northern Diver and 1 Goldeneye (male) - West Kirby Marine Lake.
1,800 Pink-footed Geese flew inland form Heswall Marsh at first light.

Dec 13
1 Great Northern Diver - West Kirby Marine Lake.
6 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier (ringtail & adult male), 1 Short-eared Owl and 2 Great Egret - Parkgate.
1 Water Pipit - Burton Mere Wetlands.

Dec 12
1 Great Northern Diver - West Kirby Marine Lake.
1 Hen Harrier (ringtail), 4 Marsh Harrier (in air together),  1 Merlin, 1 Stonechat and 2 Great Egret - Parkgate.
1,570 Pink-footed Geese flew inland form Heswall Marsh at first light, many later seen in fields between Irby and Pensby.

 The December Newsletter includes:
'A Pied Wheatear at Meols', Colour Ring Report and  Forthcoming Events.
Newsletters going back to March 1998 can be read, they are indexed both month by month and by subject matter.

Cetti's Warbler at Burton Mere Wetlands, December 17th © Carl Traill



Short-eared Owl at Parkgate, December 17th © Mark Woodhead



Peregrine over Hilbre, December 14th © Matt Thomas



Goldeneye over West Kirby Marine Lake, December 14th © Matt Thomas



Brent Geese on West Kirby Marine Lake, December 11th © Les Hall



Short-eared Owl at Parkgate, December 10th © Frank Burns



Short-eared Owl at Parkgate, December 10th © Ryan Williams



Great Northern Diver at West Kirby Marine Lake, December4th © Richard Steel
http://wildlifephotographic.blogspot.com/



Photographers - please note there is a wildlife photographers code of practice , also read Guidelines.
Please Maintain a safe working distance from all birds, particularly roosts, so as not to cause unnecessary disturbance.
"There is one hard and fast rule whose spirit must be observed at all times. The welfare of the subject is more important than the photograph."