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.

What a wonderful Wirral wader fest that was!

A big thank you to everyone who worked at, volunteered at or simply turned up at the Wirral Wader Festival this weekend helping to make it a very enjoyable event.

There was something for everyone.

Everyone enjoyed scooping up the benthos soup; it's amazing how many creatures live in the mud!

Artist in residence Hazel Thomson getting to work on her oil painting.

Up to the minute information on the comings and goings of the waders around the Wirral.

Magnificent scenery.

Informative posters.

Interesting talks

Informative static displays

Kids' painting competition

Secondhand book sellers

Guided walks by Alan and Ruth 

RSPB stand

Magnificent prizes in the tombola

Cheshire Wildlife Trust stand

RSPB pin badges stand

Wader Quest stand

Meanwhile the Dee Estuary Voluntary Wardens were out protecting the high tide roosts at West Kirby and Hoylake pointing out the birds and explaining why they were there to passers by.

There was also a walk out to Hilbre Island on both days which was greatly enjoyed by all those who ventured forth.

There was also an open drop-in event at Shore Cottage at the foot of Thurstaston cliffs and a static display of posters at Leasowe Lighthouse.

Leasowe Lighthouse

We were very sorry that Jen of Wave Worn Designs UK was unable to join us due to an accident. Thankfully she is not seriously hurt and we all hope she recovers from the incident soon. She was still generous enough to donate a pair of magnificently engraved glasses to help raise funds.

2016 Wirral Wader Festival dates: 1st & 2nd October 2016

Common Greenshank by Rick Simpson