Details of the 2018 Wirral Wader Festival

Hoylake Sailing Club is the indoor venue for the 2018 Wirral Wader Festival.

Dunlins. Photo: Matt Thomas

In 2017 the Wirral Wader Festival took place with no indoor venue, just the wader roost watching sites. It was decided by the committee that if at all possible this year we would return to having an indoor event. Several places were investigated by the committee and approaches were made to the Hoylake Sailing Club North Parade, Hoylake CH47 2BB as a possible venue. 

Fortunately the club was happy to oblige and on the 27th and 28th of October they will provide space for stands for the Dee Estuary Voluntary Wardens, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Wader Quest and the RSPB. 

There will also be secondhand book sellers as well as artists and craft designers exhibiting their work. There will be children's activities taking place and the very popular Creatures in the Mud exhibition showing live what it is that waders eat in the mud as they probe for food. 

Additionally, the bar will be open from noon with a real ale on tap as well as other alcoholic and soft drinks available to buy.    

The outdoor events at Hoylake and Red Rocks and the wader roost cam from Hilbre Island will be as last year. There will also be guided walks. Final details and times etc. to be announced soon.

Looking good for the Wader Festival in October!

Karen Leeming writes:

Finally got good views of the Bonaparte's gull that has been showing well (just not when I was there) for the past 3 days at Hoylake. 

Bonaparte's Gull? Plenty of Ringed Plovers and Dunlins about though - Ed.

Good numbers of oystercatcher, sanderling, dunlin, ringed plover, sandwich terns and common terns. Gannets offshore with common scoter, a couple of arctic skuas off Hilbre, some grey plovers, a peregrine and sparrowhawk have given added interest. 

A nice little roost of Dunlins and Ringed Plovers. Note the comaprative size of the Pied Wagtail to the right of the picture - Ed.

A goodly parcel of Oystercatchers - Ed.

Don't forget the Wirral Wader Festival is on the 27th and 28th of October!

New indoor venue for the 2018 Wiral Wader Festival

2018 Wirral wader Festival 17th - 18th October.

While the outdoor wader roost watches at Hoylake and Red Rocks, West Kirby will remain the same as previous years, this year we are pleased to announce that there will be an indoor element to the festival. This will take place at the Hoylake Sailing Club on the Hoylake seafront.

Dunlins; Phil Pickett

In the Sailing Club there will be stands with the participating wildlife charities, second hand book stalls and children's activities including the very popular 'creatures in the mud'.

There will also be a Tombola for your to try your luck

   
So whatever the weather, this year you will enjoy the Wirral Wader Festival even more!

See 2018 festival page for more details.