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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.

Please send any sightings to:

May Newsletter now published on this website featuring Ring Ouzels in Spring.

  Latest Sightings.... (more)


May 22
1 Ring Ouzel (fem) taken by Sparrowhawk but escaped and appears to be OK!- Leasowe Lighthouse.
3 Spoonbill - Burton Mere Wetlands.

May 21
1 Ring Ouzel (fem) and 4 Raven (on Kerr's Field) - Leasowe Lighthouse.
2 Spoonbill, 9 pair Mediterranean Gull breeding, 2 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Marsh Harrier - Burton Mere Wetlands.
1 Hen Harrier (ringtail), 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 1 Spoonbill and at least 1 Great Egret - Parkgate.

May 20
3 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Ring Ouzel - Leasowe Lighthouse.
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Barn Owl and 1 Great Egret - Parkgate.
9 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Spoonbill, 1 Garganey (male), 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Bearded Tit (heard) and 2 curlew Sandpiper (one in s/pl) -  Burton Mere Wetlands.
2 Marsh Harrier - Neston Reedbed.
1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Raven - Burton Point.

May 19
1 Eider (drake) off Hoylake.
1 Quail calling - Decca Pools.
1 Little Stint - Burton Mere Wetlands.
2 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Ring Ouzel (fem) - Leasowe Lighthouse.
6 Gannet flew close to Red Rocks at high tide.

May 18
2 Garganey (drakes) - Burton Mere Wetlands.
1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Yellow Wagtail type - Leasowe Lighthouse.
4 Goosander flew out of estuary past Red Rocks.
1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Great Egret - seen from the Boathouse at Parkgate.

May 17
3 Garganey (drakes), 2 Little Ringed Plover and 1 Curlew Sandpiper - Burton Mere Wetlands.
1 Osprey flew past west, 1 Ring Ouzel (fem), 1 Wheatear, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whinchat and 1 Garden Warbler - Leasowe Lighthouse.

May 16
1 Curlew Sandpiper - Burton Mere Wetlands.
3 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Wheatear and 1 Marsh Harrier which came in off sea and flew SW - Leasowe Lighthouse.

May 15
1 Marsh Harrier seen over Wirral then flew west over Little Eye.
2 Spoonbill - Burton Mere Wetlands.
1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail - Leasowe Lighthouse.
1 Blue-headed Wagtail (fem) in field by water treatment plant - Meols.

May 14
1 Corn Bunting between Saughall and Sealand.
1 Hobby over Red Rocks.

May 13
1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spoonbill, 1 Cattle Egret and 1 Great Egret - Burton Mere Wetlands.
1 Hobby - Donkey Stand Flash, Parkgate.

The May Newsletter includes:
Ring Ouzels in Spring,  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.

Ravens on Kerr's Field, Leasowe Lighthouse, May 21st © Les Hall


Curlew Sandpiper with Dunlin at Burton Mere Wetlands, May 17th © Les Hall



Female Ring Ouzel at Leasowe, May 17th © Allan Conlin



Spoonbill at Burton Mere Wetlands, May 17th © Neil Simpson



Spotted Flycatcher at Leasowe, May 17th © Allan Conlin



Cattle Egret at Burton Mere Wetlands, May 13th © Carole Killikelly



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."