← Back⛪ Religious grounds

St Mary's Church

📷 John S Turner · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsInsects

Public accessFree entryDogs welcome

Getting here

53.38483, -3.09612

Open directionsv

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
☕Village Cafe — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
☕Village Cafe — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

£Free to visit — no entry charge
🐕Dogs welcome

Bike parkingCaféParking· Free

Best for

8 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow +63 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow +63 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Rosemary Beetle, Lily Beetle, Dock Bug +52 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Rosemary Beetle, Lily Beetle, Dock Bug +52 more · last seen 2025

Free

Mushroom foraging

Strong match

Fungi — Poplar Bells, Ground Elder Rust, Blackening Waxcap +6 more · last seen 2024; Fungi — Poplar Bells, Ground Elder Rust, Blackening Waxcap +6 more · last seen 2024

Varies

Family friendly

Good match

café

Free

Dog walks

Good match

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Wirral Circular TrailWalking route60 km

Named routeRef WCTLength 60 kmRegional walking route

King Charles III England Coast Path: Birkenhead to Welsh BorderWalking route

Named routeRef ECPNational walking route

Wirral WayWalking route

Named routeRegional walking route

🚴

Cycling

99 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route 56Cycling route

Named routeRef 56National Cycle Network

Burton Marsh GreenwayCycling route

Named routeRef 568National Cycle Network

Main RouteCycling route211 m

Named routeRef 56Length 211 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm

Alternative RouteCycling route359 m

Named routeLength 359 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedloose

Main RouteCycling route704 m

Named routeRef 56Length 704 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route171 m

Named routeRef 56Length 171 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

12,445 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

12,445 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds68 species

winterspringsummer

2025

Woodpigeon · Magpie · Carrion Crow · Mallard · Blue Tit +63

WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
MagpiePica pica
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
BlackbirdTurdus merula
RobinErithacus rubecula
Great TitParus major
Herring GullLarus argentatus
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
Mandarin DuckAix galericulata
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2024
DunnockPrunella modularis2024
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
Rock DoveColumba livia
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
House SparrowPasser domesticus
SwiftApus apus
JackdawColoeus monedula
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
NuthatchSitta europaea
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2024
GreenfinchChloris chloris2024
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba2024
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2024
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
Stock DoveColumba oenas
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
Common GullLarus canus
SwallowHirundo rustica2024
JayGarrulus glandarius2024
BuzzardButeo buteo
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
WaxwingBombycilla garrulus2023
Coal TitPeriparus ater
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus
Little EgretEgretta garzetta
CurlewNumenius arquata2023
House MartinDelichon urbicum2024
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2024
GoosanderMergus merganser
RookCorvus frugilegus
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2024
KingfisherAlcedo atthis2024
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2023
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2024
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2023
Greylag GooseAnser anser2023
Tawny OwlStrix aluco
SiskinSpinus spinus
Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis2024
RedwingTurdus iliacus2023
RavenCorvus corax2022
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flava2024
Little OwlAthene noctua2023
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca curruca2023
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2023
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2023
CootFulica atra2023
LapwingVanellus vanellus2022
Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleuca2022
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naevia2020

🦌

Mammals11 species

summerautumn

2026

Hedgehog · Grey Squirrel · Red Fox · Bat · Wood Mouse +6

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2023
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2025
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2025
BatChiroptera2024
Wood MouseApodemus sylvaticus
Pygmy ShrewSorex minutus2023
Common ShrewSorex araneus2025
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2023
NoctuleNyctalus noctula2023
BadgerMeles meles2022
Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris2020

🦎

Reptiles1 species

summer

2023

Turtles, Terrapins and Tortoises

Turtles, Terrapins and TortoisesTestudines

🐸

Amphibians3 species

winterspringsummerautumn

2026

Common Frog · Great Crested Newt · Smooth Newt

Common FrogRana temporaria
Great Crested NewtTriturus cristatus2024
Smooth NewtLissotriton vulgaris2022

🐝

Insects55 species

springsummer

2025

Rosemary Beetle · Lily Beetle · Dock Bug · 2-spot Ladybird · Western Conifer Seed Bug +50

Rosemary BeetleChrysolina americana2022
Lily BeetleLilioceris lilii2021
Dock BugCoreus marginatus
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata2024
Western Conifer Seed BugLeptoglossus occidentalis2024
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata2023
Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
Deraeocoris (Deraeocoris) flavilineaDeraeocoris (Deraeocoris) flavilinea
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea
Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni
Closterotomus trivialisClosterotomus trivialis
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major
Hairy-footed Flower BeeAnthophora plumipes
SyrphusSyrphus2024
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2024
Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina2024
Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum2023
Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2023
10-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata2023
Hornet HoverflyVolucella zonaria2021
Orange LadybirdHalyzia sedecimguttata
Brown ChaferSerica brunnea
Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum
Melanostoma scalareMelanostoma scalare
Chalcosyrphus nemorumChalcosyrphus nemorum2024
Ivy BeeColletes hederae2023
Southern Oak Bush-cricketMeconema meridionale2023
Emperor DragonflyAnax imperator2023
Deraeocoris (Deraeocoris) ruberDeraeocoris (Deraeocoris) ruber2023
Brown HawkerAeshna grandis2023
Syrphus torvusSyrphus torvus2023
EristalisEristalis2023
Oak Bush-cricketMeconema thalassinum2022
House-flyMusca domestica2022
ArgeArge2022
StomoxysStomoxys2022
LasiusLasius2022
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus2022
Violet Ground BeetleCarabus violaceus2022
Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus2022
PlatystomaPlatystoma2022
Wasp BeetleClytus arietis2022
Glyphotaelius pellucidusGlyphotaelius pellucidus2021
Platycheirus clypeatus agg.Platycheirus clypeatus agg.2021
Water LadybirdAnisosticta novemdecimpunctata2021
Woundwort ShieldbugEysarcoris venustissimus2021
Common CockchaferMelolontha melolontha2021
Toxonevra muliebrisToxonevra muliebris2020
Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2020
Greater Horntail WaspUrocerus gigas2020
Volucella pellucensVolucella pellucens2020
Scaeva pyrastriScaeva pyrastri2020
Box Tree MothCydalima perspectalis2020
Broad-bodied ChaserLibellula depressa2020

🍄

Fungi9 species

autumn

2024

Poplar Bells · Ground Elder Rust · Razor Strop Fungus · Peeling Oysterling · Hawthorn Twiglet +4

Poplar BellsSchizophyllum amplum
Ground Elder RustPuccinia aegopodii
Razor Strop FungusFomitopsis betulina
Peeling OysterlingCrepidotus mollis
Hawthorn TwigletTubaria dispersa
Hygrocybe nigrescensHygrocybe nigrescens
Roundspored OysterlingCrepidotus cesatii
Geranium RustUromyces geranii
Violet Bramble RustPhragmidium violaceum

🌿

Plants11 species

summer

2023

Rosy Garlic · Hairy Garlic · Blackthorn · Large Bindweed · Calystegia sepium x silvatica = C. x lucana +6

Rosy GarlicAllium roseum2021
Hairy GarlicAllium subhirsutum2021
BlackthornPrunus spinosa
Large BindweedCalystegia silvatica2021
Calystegia sepium x silvatica = C. x lucanaCalystegia sepium x silvatica = C. x lucana2021
Wood Meadow-grassPoa nemoralis2021
Pilosella officinarum subsp. officinarumPilosella officinarum subsp. officinarum2021
Dryopteris borreriDryopteris borreri2021
Three-cornered GarlicAllium triquetrum2021
Annual Beard-grassPolypogon monspeliensis2021
Bearberry CotoneasterCotoneaster dammeri2021

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

12,445 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds68 species

winterspringsummer

2025

Woodpigeon · Magpie · Carrion Crow · Mallard · Blue Tit +63

WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
MagpiePica pica
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
BlackbirdTurdus merula
RobinErithacus rubecula
Great TitParus major
Herring GullLarus argentatus
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
Mandarin DuckAix galericulata
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2024
DunnockPrunella modularis2024
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
Rock DoveColumba livia
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
House SparrowPasser domesticus
SwiftApus apus
JackdawColoeus monedula
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
NuthatchSitta europaea
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2024
GreenfinchChloris chloris2024
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba2024
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2024
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
Stock DoveColumba oenas
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
Common GullLarus canus
SwallowHirundo rustica2024
JayGarrulus glandarius2024
BuzzardButeo buteo
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
WaxwingBombycilla garrulus2023
Coal TitPeriparus ater
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus
Little EgretEgretta garzetta
CurlewNumenius arquata2023
House MartinDelichon urbicum2024
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2024
GoosanderMergus merganser
RookCorvus frugilegus
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2024
KingfisherAlcedo atthis2024
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2023
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2024
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2023
Greylag GooseAnser anser2023
Tawny OwlStrix aluco
SiskinSpinus spinus
Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis2024
RedwingTurdus iliacus2023
RavenCorvus corax2022
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flava2024
Little OwlAthene noctua2023
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca curruca2023
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2023
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2023
CootFulica atra2023
LapwingVanellus vanellus2022
Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleuca2022
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naevia2020

🦌

Mammals11 species

summerautumn

2026

Hedgehog · Grey Squirrel · Red Fox · Bat · Wood Mouse +6

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2023
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2025
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2025
BatChiroptera2024
Wood MouseApodemus sylvaticus
Pygmy ShrewSorex minutus2023
Common ShrewSorex araneus2025
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2023
NoctuleNyctalus noctula2023
BadgerMeles meles2022
Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris2020

🦎

Reptiles1 species

summer

2023

Turtles, Terrapins and Tortoises

Turtles, Terrapins and TortoisesTestudines

🐸

Amphibians3 species

winterspringsummerautumn

2026

Common Frog · Great Crested Newt · Smooth Newt

Common FrogRana temporaria
Great Crested NewtTriturus cristatus2024
Smooth NewtLissotriton vulgaris2022

🐝

Insects55 species

springsummer

2025

Rosemary Beetle · Lily Beetle · Dock Bug · 2-spot Ladybird · Western Conifer Seed Bug +50

Rosemary BeetleChrysolina americana2022
Lily BeetleLilioceris lilii2021
Dock BugCoreus marginatus
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata2024
Western Conifer Seed BugLeptoglossus occidentalis2024
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata2023
Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
Deraeocoris (Deraeocoris) flavilineaDeraeocoris (Deraeocoris) flavilinea
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea
Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni
Closterotomus trivialisClosterotomus trivialis
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major
Hairy-footed Flower BeeAnthophora plumipes
SyrphusSyrphus2024
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2024
Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina2024
Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum2023
Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2023
10-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata2023
Hornet HoverflyVolucella zonaria2021
Orange LadybirdHalyzia sedecimguttata
Brown ChaferSerica brunnea
Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum
Melanostoma scalareMelanostoma scalare
Chalcosyrphus nemorumChalcosyrphus nemorum2024
Ivy BeeColletes hederae2023
Southern Oak Bush-cricketMeconema meridionale2023
Emperor DragonflyAnax imperator2023
Deraeocoris (Deraeocoris) ruberDeraeocoris (Deraeocoris) ruber2023
Brown HawkerAeshna grandis2023
Syrphus torvusSyrphus torvus2023
EristalisEristalis2023
Oak Bush-cricketMeconema thalassinum2022
House-flyMusca domestica2022
ArgeArge2022
StomoxysStomoxys2022
LasiusLasius2022
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus2022
Violet Ground BeetleCarabus violaceus2022
Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus2022
PlatystomaPlatystoma2022
Wasp BeetleClytus arietis2022
Glyphotaelius pellucidusGlyphotaelius pellucidus2021
Platycheirus clypeatus agg.Platycheirus clypeatus agg.2021
Water LadybirdAnisosticta novemdecimpunctata2021
Woundwort ShieldbugEysarcoris venustissimus2021
Common CockchaferMelolontha melolontha2021
Toxonevra muliebrisToxonevra muliebris2020
Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2020
Greater Horntail WaspUrocerus gigas2020
Volucella pellucensVolucella pellucens2020
Scaeva pyrastriScaeva pyrastri2020
Box Tree MothCydalima perspectalis2020
Broad-bodied ChaserLibellula depressa2020

🍄

Fungi9 species

autumn

2024

Poplar Bells · Ground Elder Rust · Razor Strop Fungus · Peeling Oysterling · Hawthorn Twiglet +4

Poplar BellsSchizophyllum amplum
Ground Elder RustPuccinia aegopodii
Razor Strop FungusFomitopsis betulina
Peeling OysterlingCrepidotus mollis
Hawthorn TwigletTubaria dispersa
Hygrocybe nigrescensHygrocybe nigrescens
Roundspored OysterlingCrepidotus cesatii
Geranium RustUromyces geranii
Violet Bramble RustPhragmidium violaceum

🌿

Plants11 species

summer

2023

Rosy Garlic · Hairy Garlic · Blackthorn · Large Bindweed · Calystegia sepium x silvatica = C. x lucana +6

Rosy GarlicAllium roseum2021
Hairy GarlicAllium subhirsutum2021
BlackthornPrunus spinosa
Large BindweedCalystegia silvatica2021
Calystegia sepium x silvatica = C. x lucanaCalystegia sepium x silvatica = C. x lucana2021
Wood Meadow-grassPoa nemoralis2021
Pilosella officinarum subsp. officinarumPilosella officinarum subsp. officinarum2021
Dryopteris borreriDryopteris borreri2021
Three-cornered GarlicAllium triquetrum2021
Annual Beard-grassPolypogon monspeliensis2021
Bearberry CotoneasterCotoneaster dammeri2021