Liverpool is well endowed with public parks all of which offer opportunities for bird watching , the larger parks include Calderstones, Sefton, Princes, Newsham, Walton Hall, Stanley and Everton parks.  The South of the city is particularly ' green' with a number of former merchants homes and estates having been left to the city. As well as the large parks, there are many other smaller areas of parkland which leaves Liverpool well provided with open spaces. Many of the woodland/ hedgerow species can be found, the park lakes are home to good numbers and variety of waterfowl, with Newsham Park in particular attracting winter visitors, with a female goosander staying on the lake over Christmas and the new year 2002/2003 here. 2002 saw a pair of great crested  grebes nesting and raising 3 young on Sefton Park Lake for the first time , having been successful at Walton Hall in previous years. 

The Eric Hardy  Nature Trail part of Clarke Gardens  in the south of the city ( Allerton ), is dedicated to Eric Hardy who was a well known and respected naturalist on Merseyside and in the North West of England, who contributed much to the understanding and knowledge of the natural history of the region.  His 'nature column in the Liverpool daily Post ( from the early 30's ) and later broadcasts on BBC Radio Merseyside  were looked forward to by many in the region. The trail wanders through areas of young plantations and alongside a stream amongst older mature trees in a 'dell' . with much to interest the naturalist including the increasingly uncommon bullfinch.  

For more information on the parks or details of walks and talks in the parks contact the Liverpool rangers on :-

LIVERPOOL RANGER SERVICE EVENTS
 in Liverpool's parks and open spaces.
 For more information on these events contact the rangers on - 0151 233 3007  

park.rangers@liverpool.gov.uk