Hilbre Island

Hilbre Island is the largest of the three very small tidal islands at the mouth of the Dee Estuary; the other islands are Little Eye and Middle Eye, both of which you will pass over on your way to Hilbre. The three islands have been designated a Local Nature Reserve.

Hilbre is two miles from West Kirby and the only access to the island is on foot from West Kirby. The Islands are cut off from the mainland by the tide for up to four hours in every twelve, so a visit to the island needs to be planned.

The walk to the island is on sand and tends to be slow going and the tide may come in early or quickly with strong winds. Staying on the island during high tide (for up to five hours) is an option. I did this on one occasion during the week and there was only one other person on the island with me! There are no shops or toilets on the Islands, and very little shelter, so go prepared!

The Friends of Hilbre was formed in 2001 with the intention of promoting the conservation and protection of the Hilbre Islands Nature Reserve and to volunteer help, provide funds and educational facilities. Members provide open days for the public to visit the Hilbre Telegraph Lookout building. This is the only time members of the public have access to the observatory / lookout building.

April and May are perhaps the best months to visit, as these are the peak migration months (it's also worth visiting in the autumn months). Birds seen in spring include: Arctic Skua, Chiffchaff, Divers, Finches, Gannet, Garden Warbler, Goldcrest, Grebes (Red-necked, Black-throated, Slavonian), Little Gull, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Osprey, Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Sedge Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Terns, Tree Pipit, Wheatear, Whinchat, White Wagtail, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Yellow Wagtail. It's worth noting that a lot of these birds are passing and are often distant, so photographing them would be a real challenge!

To get to West Kirby from the M53, leave at junction 2 and follow the West Kirby signs; then follow the brown Marine Lake signs, which will bring you into Dee Lane. Alternatively from Chester, take the A540 to Hoylake; at West Kirby follow the Marine Lake signs to Dee Lane.

If you intend to visit, please take note of the instructions found on the Friends of Hilbre Website (link below). Crossing at the wrong time or from the wrong place can be dangerous!

Visit the Friends of Hilbre Website

My images from Hilbre Island

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