Agree with the above, Terry. Only recently 'discovered' Devon after meeting my missus who is from Torquay. Some great birding spots, I like the Warren House/Challacombe Farm areas on Dartmoor.

Does nobody rate Bempton cliff, Yorkshire coast?
Went there recently for the first time in about 20 years. I would have rated it then but I don't now. It has become overcrowded and over commercialised.

Very overated. It does turn up the odd rarity around the car park! Much better seabird experience on the Farne Islands, superclose views of seabirds and terns.
Bempton is an RSPB membership trap!

Hi just arrived, was viewing this thread and noticed only one posting for the North West from Wild Canon with some very worthy sites, could I add to the North West list with :-
Pennington Flash, Leigh
Woolsten Eyes, Warrington
Marbury Park/Neumans Flash, Northwich
The Manchester Mosses, Astley, Carrington, Chat etc
Moore Nature Res, Runcorn-Warrington
Marton Mere, Blackpool
Forest of Bowland, Lancs (Various sites)
Wigan Flashes, Wigan
Sandbach Flashes, Sandbach
Elton Reservior, Bury
Watergrove Reservior, Rochdale
Dee Estuary, Wirral
Marshside, Southport
Suppose I'd better stop now or I'll be here all day, I'll let someone else take it from here

I often go along the Dee estuary. Lots of waders there - even where the pesky caravan sites abut the beaches!

Also I love the RSPB reserve at Conwy and along the estuary at Conwy. Great place for all kind of birds because of the wide range of habitats.

The Alde/Ore estuary, and MINSMERE

Mimsere, Snettisham, Titchwell Marshes on the East Anglian coast.

We're off to Norfolk soon for two weeks in the motorhome (if that's acceptable to The Glenbuck Laird ). Starting at Titchwell, then on to Cley, then Aylsham for the steam train, then Hickling (5 days) which we'll use as a base to visit not only Hickling Broad, but to explore the Arthur Ransome country. Not decided on where to go for the last few days yet.

Just a handful of my favourites in the Dorset area :

For sea watching and migrants it has to be Portland Bill, whilst Durlston Country Park and Poole Harbour are pretty special too.

Arne and Middlebere Heath for Hobby, Nightjars, Stonechat and Marsh Harrier etc. Osprey on migration.

Radipole, Lodmoor and Ferry Bridge in the Weymouth/Portland area are great places, as Radipole is one of the strongholds for Cetti's Warblers.

Badbury Rings Iron Age Hill Fort. I've seen a Short eared Owl, many Flycatchers and a Red Kite here. THE place for butterflies and orchids as well.

solway marshes and estuary all sorts of waders
dodd woods - lake district ospreys

An excellent spot local to Merseyside is Thurstaston Visitors Centre and The Wirral Country Park.

Thurstaston Visitors Centre

There are bird watching facilities available within the Visitors Centre, and the Wirral Rangers are always happy to discuss the local wildlife and answer any questions.

The Country Park is a 'site of special scientific interest' within the UK, and the exposed mudflats of the River Dee Estuary provides a special habitat for many species of wading birds.

Our 'local patch' is Leighton Moss (and yes I AM biased!) which never disappoints (currently starring breeding bitterns, marsh harriers and bearded tits and does the best cake and coffee in the NWest), not forgetting the peregrine, little owl, chough and raven nests we have been watching up the road at Warton Crag Quarry; hawfinches up the road at Sizergh Castle and visiting spoonbills and great white egret down on the pools bordering Morecambe Bay saltmarshes.

Favourite places elsewhere - Virtually ANYWHERE in Norfolk,particularly Hickling Broad; Farne Islands (if you can stand the smell!); Anglesey for the breeding seabirds; Pennington Flash (just don't stay there past dusk!);Mull of Galloway for the red kites; Bempton Cliffs (though I agree that it is a bit too busy sometimes); but the numero uno MUST be The Scilly Isles (if you can put up with the anorak-y, Jodrell Bank-sized scope lugging twitchers.)

Ooops - almost forgot - white tailed sea-eagles up the Solway Coast!

Always open to suggestions of new venues - have campervan will travel!

This post was last modified: 06-08-2009 08:44 PM by WildWoman.

My local rspb group are doing a trip Gibraltar Point next month, thinking of going,any one got any info???? Stu

Blimey Richard, surprised you missed out Pensthorpe from East Anglia.

Yogi.

Had a look at Pensthorpe last time I was there, but it seemed a bit pricey to me and too artificial. I prefer a more "natural" landscape.

This post was last modified: 01-09-2009 03:45 PM by wild canon.