Burton Mere Wetlands

Burton Mere Wetlands lies where the River Dee meets the sea, a nature reserve run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. It stretches along the Dee Estuary, partly in Cheshire and partly in Flintshire, near the village of Burton. The land was once tidal mudflats reclaimed in the late 19th century for farming and shooting. The RSPB began work here in 1986, opening the first reserve in 1992 with shallow pools and a hide. Later purchases added Burton Marsh Farm and Burton Mere Fisheries, creating more wetlands and visitor facilities. The reserve attracts large numbers of birds throughout the year. Winter brings ducks such as pintail, shoveller and teal, while waders like black-tailed godwit and spotted redshank visit in migration seasons. Birds of prey including marsh harrier and peregrine falcon hunt over the marsh. Breeding birds include lapwing, redshank and avocet on the new pools. Rare visitors such as great egret and Eurasian spoonbill have also been seen. Paths lead through mixed habitats of reedbeds, wet grassland and bluebell woodlands. Visitors can watch wildlife from hides overlooking the pools and reedbeds. Mammals like water vole and European hare live here, along with insects such as the red-eyed damselfly. Wildflowers including marsh marigold and bee orchid grow among the rushes and sedges. The reserve offers views across the Dee Estuary and the surrounding countryside.