Where to Watch Birds in Northwest England: Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester

Stephen Dunstan, Ian McKerchar &Jane Turner

With a surprisingly diverse range of habitats, Lancashire, Cheshire and the metropolitan areas of Manchester and Liverpool provide some of the best birding opportunities in England.

The region is blessed with estuaries, including Morecambe Bay, one of Britain's finest wetland sites and home to the largest wader roost in the country. The Ribble, Dee and Mersey offer further sanctuary to wildfowl and waders, while inland lie marshland sites such as Leighton Moss and Martin Mere, a lure to wintering swans and thousands of Pink-footed Geese.

Inland upland areas towards the Pennines host Dunlin, Ring Ouzel, Merlin, breeding plovers and the last English Twite population. Cheshire boasts breeding Black-necked Grebes at Woolston Eyes and productive wetland reserves such as Frodsham Marsh, Burton Mere Wetlands and Sandbach Flashes. The entire coastline can afford excellent seawatching, including charismatic Leach's Petrels in autumn storms.

Where to Watch Birds in Northwest England contains a comprehensive review of the

region's significant birdwatching sites, providing all the information needed to make the most of each trip. With detailed maps, notes on access, when to visit and target species, this guide is an indispensable resource for any birder in this bird-rich corner of northern England. 336 pages.

Softback £27.99 £19.99