Marshside RSPB reserve

Marshside
Map
TypeWetland nature reserve
LocationMarshside
Nearest citySouthport
OS gridSD353205
Coordinates53°40′37″N 2°58′51″W / 53.676942°N 2.980933°W / 53.676942; -2.980933
Operated byRSPB
Websitewww.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/marshside/ Edit this at Wikidata
common snipe (Gallinago gallinago) at Marshside

Marshside is a wetland nature reserve operated by the RSPB in the Marshside area of Southport, Merseyside, England. It lies 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north of the centre of Southport,[1] on the southern side of the Ribble estuary, and is part of the wider Ribble & Alt Estuaries Ramsar reserve.[2] and the Ribble Estuary National Nature Reserve.[3]

The RSPB reserve has two bird hides, the northernmost - named "Sandgrousers' Hide" - serving as a visitor centre.[4] There are also three viewing screens.[4]

The reserve is used by large numbers of overwintering pink footed geese, from Iceland, and wigeon, from Siberia.[5][6] In summer, species such as avocets[7] and lapwing breed there.

in 2019, the RSPB acquired an adjacent area of wet grassland, Crossens Inner Marsh, in order to extend the reserve.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Marshside RSPB Birdwatching Site". BirdGuides. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Ribble & Alt Estuaries". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Funding secures exciting addition to RSPB Marshside". RSPB. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  4. ^ a b "RSPB Marshside Reserve". Visit Sefton and West Lancs. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  5. ^ "Marshside Nature Reserve, Merseyside". RSPB. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  6. ^ "Lancashire's National Nature Reserves". Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  7. ^ "RSPB call for reserve volunteers". 25 April 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2019.