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Site
Information
Dibbinsdale
has a rich diversity of habitats on its 475ha site.
Ancient woodland once part of the Royal forest of
Wirral dating back to the end of the last ice age,
Reed beds in the flooded valley bottom,
Marshland favoured by willows and dogwoods, and
meadow grasslands. Granted the status of a SSSI (Site
of Scientific interest) in 1978, grants and
sponsership have improved the reserve for wildlife for
example riverside work to support the watervole
population and work to provide roosting place at Otter
bridge for the bats which live around the reserve..
The reed
beds where introduced within the last 40yrs and consists
of mainly Norfolk reed, traditionally grown in Norfolk
for Thatching. It provides an excellent habitat for
birds such as Reed Bunting, Reed and Sedge Warblers,
Moorhens, Mallard, Teal, Water rail and Herons.
Dibbinsdale is important for birds with 61 species
breeding regularly including Tawny Owl, Kingfisher,
Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch,
Tree Creeper, Willow Tit and Grasshopper Warbler
The
un-mown grassland areas - such as Babbs meadow, are a
haven for butterflies, moths hoverflies and all manner
of other insects which thrive on the wild flowers which
grow throughout. ...Flowers on site:
Dandelions, Ramsons, Ragged Robin, Marsh Marigold,
Meadow sweet, Wood anemones, Cowslips, Dog
violets, Rose bay Willow herb, Birds foot trefoil,
Comfrey to name a few! In early May the
woodland floor is bathed in Bluebells and their
heavy scent wafts in the air..
How to
get to there: A41 from Birkenhead or Chester .or
M53(Junction4) via turn offs for B5137
Spital Rd. The reserve is signposted .
Site
Maps and more
information can be found by visiting :
Friends
of Dibbinsdale Website
www.wirral.gov.uk/er/dibsssi.htm
Eastham country
park is owned and managed by Wirral Borough Council It has
100 acres of ancient woodland managed gardens
overlooking the Estuary. Its broad-leaved woodland supports a
wide variety of wildlife and contains fine mature trees such
as Oak, Beech, Sweet Chestnut, Silver Birch and
Sycamore.The dense shrub layer of Holly, Rowan, Yew and
Rhododendron provide vital cover for nesting birds.
Woodland flowers abound in spring, Wood Anemones, Wood
Sorrel, Lesser Celandine, swaying Bluebells and tall
purple and white Foxgloves.
The park has a
network of surfaced paths throughout the woodland and .picnic
areas on the open grassland close to the river. A Visitor
Information Centre, Rangers office and toilets are situated in
the courtyard adjacent to the main car park. The Tea
Garden serves refreshments and snacks during spring and
summer.
The beauty of
Eastham CP is the the chance to see sea birds and waders from
the promenade, and the nature trial along the Riverside
cliff top. And also woodland and common garden species in the
wooded/garden areas.
Gulls such
as Herring, Lesser black backed and Black headed are
resident regulars. The tide turns twice a day on the
Mersey, this is when the waders come to feed on the
shoreline, sandbanks, mudflats and saltmarsh as the tide
recedes, wader visitors include Redshank,
Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Turnstone, Shelduck and
Curlew. In the woodland 4 species of Tit and 3
species of Woodpecker can be found along with Robin,
Wren, Nuthatch, Jay, Chaffinch's, Thrushes and Wood
pigeon.
Other
resident wildlife include the mainly nocturnal
hedgehogs, foxes, several species of bat and
weasels
Site
Maps and more
information can be found by visiting :
Rangers Office,
Eastham Country Park, Ferry Road, Eastham, Wirral, CH62
OBH
Telephone: 0151 327 1007
http://www.wirral.gov.uk/er/eastham.htm
http://www.wirralwildlife.co.uk
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The
Otterbridge & Tunnel. The otters have long gone
but look out for Water voles, Bats and the elusive
Kingfisher.
Click on images - larger size
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