Dee Estuary - Point of Ayr

Address: RSPB Dee Estuary nature reserve, Burton Mere Wetlands, Puddington Lane, Burton, Cheshire, CH64 5SF

Grid ref: SJ124848

This is a remote part of the Dee Estuary reserve located on the northern-most tip of Wales. Depending on the time of year, wheatears, wagtails and warblers, pale-bellied brent geese and skuas visit this vibrant mix of beach, sand dune, shingle and saltmarsh, watched over by an iconic lighthouse. Key breeding species include little terns and ringed plovers.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome

Facilities

No visitor centre
Car park off-site
Toilets off-site
Accessible toilets off-site
Pushchair friendly
No Refreshments
Picnic area
Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails
Shop off-site

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

The nearest station is Prestatyn, 4.5 miles away.

By bus

On the A548 in Talacre. Walk the length of Station Road and proceed to the end (approximately 1 mile, 1.6 km).

By bike

The reserve is 4.2 miles from National Cycle Route 5 in Prestatyn, via a scenic local cycle route which passes the reserve's hide.

By road

The reserve is located at the end of Station Road, Talacre, which is reached off the coastal A548 road, 3.5 miles east of Prestatyn.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

You can also access the reserve from a public footpath off the A548 at Ffynnongoyw.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Small groups are welcome at any time. The hide is served by public car parks and footpaths. The car parks have height restriction barriers making them unsuitable for coaches.

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Contact Dee Estuary - Point of Ayr

RSPB Dee Estuary nature reserve, Burton Mere Wetlands, Puddington Lane, Burton, Cheshire, CH64 5SF
deeestuary@rspb.org.uk
0151 353 8478
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What will you see?

Our star species

Curlew

Curlews are large, brown wading birds with long, curved bills ideal for probing in the mud and saltmarsh on the estuary.

Oystercatcher

You can see oystercatchers at Point of Ayr at any time of year.

Peregrine

They are a regular sight overhead in autumn and winter.

Pintail

Pintails flock here in autumn and winter.

Black-tailed godwit

Black-tailed godwits can be seen here in autumn.

Nature spectacles

Look out for the high tide wader roost in autumn and winter.

The shingle ridge is an important breeding site for ringed plovers and oystercatchers, whilst little terns have recently recolonised the reserve from the nearby colony at Gronant. Natterjack toads have been found in the dunes, where the rare sandhill rustic moth thrives and nationally scarce Portland spurge grows.

In summer, hundreds of sandwich and common terns feed in the rich waters off shore.

In autumn, you can see various wading birds stop off on passage. With strong north-westerly winds in autumn, skuas and Leach's petrels plus other seabirds can be blown close.

At high tide in autumn and winter, flocks of wildfowl and wading birds are roost on the saltmarsh.

About Dee Estuary - Point of Ayr

Habitat

The reserve is an interesting mosaic of naturally formed coastal habitats, with sand and shingle beach, dunes and saltmarsh all supporting important wildlife at different times of the year. The short nature trail follows a sea wall with elevated views across the saltmarsh, ending at the hide positioned perfectly to watch thousands of birds roost over high tide in autumn and winter. The dunes and saltmarsh support various songbirds which can be enjoyed with a gentle stroll towards the beach, which is the best part of the reserve to enjoy seawatching.

Conservation

Whilst the habitats are left to the influence of natural coastal processes, we protect the shingle ridge with an electric fence during the bird breeding season to minimise disturbance from mammals and humans and give little terns, ringed plover and oystercatchers the best chance of nesting. In autumn and winter, a rope fence protects the same area whilst volunteer wardens patrol around high tides to discourage human disturbance of the high tide wader roosts.

Partners

Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Little Tern Recovery Project is generously supported by the EU LIFE+ Nature Programme.

Site information

Owned by Natural Resources Wales, the RSPB established a wardening agreement here in 1983 and has been managing it ever since. The reserve lies within the Dee Estuary SSSI and SPA, designated for its winter wildfowl and wading bird numbers.

A hide was built in 1988 overlooking the saltmarsh making it the perfect spot to spend high tide in autumn and winter, to watch thousands of waders and wildfowl roost. The hide is reached from Talacre via a public footpath along the sea wall which itself gives impressive views across the saltmarsh to the estuary and the Wirral peninsula in the distance.

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Activities and events

Leisure activities

Short walk (20 minutes) to hide from Talacre. Longer circular route available (1 hour). Birdwatching.

Dee Estuary - Point of Ayr

Plan your visit

Opening times

Entrance charges