Marbury Country Park and the FlashesMarbury Country Park, near Northwich, has three types of habitat - well-established deciduous forest, open fields and a large natural lake known as Budworth Mere. Key species are: woodpeckers (all three), other woodland birds, warblers and hirundines in spring and summer, grebes, ducks, kingfisher, herons (heronry on far side of mere), wintering bittern, other water birds, passage terns and maybe waders on the far shore. Car park (pay & display) at SJ652764.
Other sites within walking distance from the park (or use free car park at the Northwich end at SJ663747):
Neumann's & Ashton's Flashes, Haydn's Pool, Anderton Country Park, Carey Park. Much money has been spent on improving this area for people and wild life, and it is now re-establishing itself as one of Cheshire's premium birdwatching sites. Neumann's Flash has permanent water while at Ashton's water is seasonal. The following passage birds were seen in 2005: hobby, garganey, pectoral sandpiper, spotted redshank, black and whiskered terns, Mediterranean and yellow-legged gulls.
The whole area is managed by Cheshire County Council rangers who are based in Marbury Country Park, and who may be contacted on 01606 77741.
| |
