A local birding spot for me is the Deeside Bird Reserve at the Powergen site Connahs Quay, Flintshire. The reserve is quite large and covers an area along the west bank of the River Dee. Far more accessible than Skomer, but of course, not as exciting. Nevertheless there are some good birds to be seen, at high tide, particularly in Winter. The salt marsh and river edge attracts many waders especially in winter. One can expect to see all of the common birds here like dunlin, knot, redshank, grey plover, oyster catcher and curlew. The site also attracts wildfowl such as canada geese, teal and mallard. Other common wildfowl can be found here in winter, such as gadwall and wigeon. My last visit was in April when I was hoping to see some early arrivals back for the Summer. I did see a good few Wheatear. When you are a geriatric, as I am, it is quite nice to be able to drive from hide to hide, therefore not having to carry cameras and other equipment which can weigh a ton. The birds I would really have liked to take photographs of were just not being very obliging , but it is a worthwhile site, and if not rarities, there were still plenty of birds about
From the first hide, in the distance, is a pleasant view of Flint Castle, built in the 13th century.
