Dee Estuary - Point of Ayr

Reserves don’t get much more remote than Point of Ayr. It’s the northern-most tip of Wales and of our Dee Estuary site. The peace and solitude of this windswept part of the world make it an ideal refuge for wildlife. Wheatears, Wagtails and warblers and Pale-bellied Brent Geese all visit this vibrant mix of beach, sand dune, shingle and saltmarsh at different times of year. The Point of Ayr lighthouse stands watch against a backdrop of sweeping views across the Dee Estuary, the Wirral Peninsula and the wide horizon beyond.

Our Point of Ayr reserve is a mosaic of naturally-formed coastal habitats. Follow the short nature trail along the sea wall, looking out to the saltmarsh and you’ll end up at the hide – the perfect spot to watch thousands of birds roost at high tide in autumn and winter. An array of songbirds dart about the dunes and saltmarsh, listen out for their calls as you take a gentle stroll towards the beach – the best part of the reserve for sea-watching.

We manage the reserve to create the ideal conditions for wildlife. Mostly this means letting the natural coastal processes do their thing. But we do protect the shingle ridge with an electric fence during the bird breeding season to reduce disturbance from mammals and humans. This gives Little Terns, Ringed Plover and Oystercatchers the best chance of nesting. In autumn and winter, a rope fence protects the same area, while volunteer wardens patrol around high tides to protect wader roosts from disturbance.