The walk is the brainchild of the Tidal Dee Catchment Partnership, hosted by Cheshire Wildlife Trust, who are seeking to find out people’s views on the Estuary – from why they enjoy it and how they use it through to how they feel things can be improved. The walk will start on Wednesday 28th March at Barkby Beach, Prestatyn and will follow the Wales Coast path until Hawarden Bridge, to finish in Hoylake on Friday 30th March, after passing through Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s Red Rocks Marsh Nature Reserve. The Partnership are calling for people to join Paul along the walk to share with him why this area is so important to the community.
“We are so pleased that Paul is part of this project – he will help us to raise awareness of the issues and needs of this area not just for wildlife but also for the community. The more passionate people are about their favourite wild places the easier it becomes to ensure important places like the Dee Estuary remain protected and are improved for both people and wildlife,” said Sarah Bennett, Area Manager at Cheshire Wildlife Trust.
A number of volunteers will be walking with Paul along with Councillor Pat Kynaston, Mayor of Neston Town Council who will be walking with Paul on Friday morning.
On the border between Wales and England, the Dee Estuary is a wildlife haven. Its populations of waders and wildfowl make it one of the most important estuaries in Europe. As well as the birds, you can also find sand lizards and natterjack toads calling the Estuary home. Its importance for wildlife means that the Estuary is internationally protected.