Bird watching and the River Mersey
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BILLINGE
HILL -Highest point in Merseyside Billinge hill is the highest point in Merseyside at 587 feet , doesn't sound particularly high but from the top on a clear day the views are extensive, reaching out to the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales, to the north-east Winter Hill, the south the Derbyshire Peak District, and on an exceptional day even Blackpool Tower over thirty miles away. A beacon tower is at the summit, built in the early 1900s it was used for aircraft observation during and after the war. Further back in history the Beacon was one in a chain of beacons that spread the news of the Spanish Armada. Sadly the tower is now closed, disused and regrettably covered in graffiti.
Liverpool RSPB's walk around Billinge includes woodland and farmland habitat. We utilise the public footpaths of the area, walking through woods and along field edges from the high point of Billinge Hill down to Kings moss and back again. Some of the farmland habitat is managed for the benefit of ground nesting birds such as Skylarks, and breeding Lapwing. Surrounding field hedges are being restored, and they are noticeably busy in spring with Blackbird, Sparrows and finches such as Linnet and Chaffinches. The most sort after bird from a birdwatchers point of view is probably the Yellowhammer, a beautiful bird regularly heard and seen on the walk, usually singing from the top of a hedgerow or tree along the field edges. Conifer and pine has been planted in some woodland parts and four species of tit can be seen flitting through the tops. Farmland birds seen usually seen running into the field cover include pheasant and partridge. In winter Migratory Geese can be seen feeding in the fields. In Billinge woods and on the beacon hill slopes Jay, woodpecker and thrushes can be found.
At Fir Tree farm, at Kings Moss a community woodland plantation has been set out with over 4 hectares of native woodland species planted such as oak, rowan and hawthorn, a wonderful prospect for future generations of Billinge wildlife. The woodland features several chain saw wooden sculptures, a willow tunnel to walk through, wildlife pond, and a wooden bench to rest a while, whilst listening to the sound of birdsong and buzzing insects feeding on the abundance of native wildflowers including Orchids and Primroses. Visiting butterflies include Peacocks, Red Admiral, Whites, Common blue, Speckled and Wall brown. By the way, the farm has it's own Café & Restaurant, a great place to stop for a welcome cuppa and a delicious slice of homemade cake.
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