Resources

The Society operates 4 birdwatching hides.

The first of these is "The Stuart Gibson Memorial Hide" at Hurleston Reservoir just outside Nantwich. Stuart was a founder member of the Society, and it's first Secretary. His many friends and colleagues raised the money to build this hide in his memory, and it was constructed in the late 1980's. It overlooks Hurleston Reservoir, which holds an excellent gull roost and has attracted a wide range of wildfowl over the years plus other interesting sightings. The hide was totally refurbished in 1999 using funds raised by out youngest member, Ashley Powell. Ashley organised a sponsored event and a coffee morning. The refurbishment work was carried out by Ged Barlow and George Fletcher. It now boasts much larger windows, more comfortable seating and much better weather protection. A log book is kept in the hide, and all visitors are encouraged to enter their sightings. These form part of the Society's Annual Report (see Publications). An excellent feeding station has been set up in front of the hide which ensures a steady stream of birds to watch. Following a spate of minor vandalism, the hide can now only be accessed by keyholders. Anyone wishing to obtain a key should contact the Society's Secretary (see Committee Members).

The huge winter gull roost often holds more than 20,000 birds including Black-headed, Common, Herring, Lesser-black Backed and Great Black Backed Gulls.

The hide looks out over the reservoir and a bird feeding station

The station attracts many birds including Robins

The second hide is the "Bar Mere Bird Hide". This hide was constructed in 1998 using money raised by Society members - Mike and Beth Holmes did a sponsored birdwatch, and Paul Griffiths organised a sponsored moth trap. The construction of the hide was also aided by a very generous grant from Shell. With the kind permission of the Cholmondeley Estate, it was built at the edge of Bar Mere - a very attractive and strictly private site. The hide was designed and built by Ged Barlow, and it was installed by a team including Paul Griffiths, Charles Hull, George Fletcher and Eileen Barlow. This wonderfully well constructed hide boasts large windows offering panoramic views over the mere and surrounding fields. It features comfortable seating, a well stocked feeding station, log book and nearby nest boxes. Unusually, the hide is built on a platform over the mere, and is therefore reached by a boardwalk and bridge. Access is only possible by prior arrangement with the landowners, and details of this are available to members from the Society's Secretary, Mike Holmes (see Committee Members)

Grey Heron, Jay and Kingfisher are all seen regularly at the Bar Mere Hide

Two hides are also available for use by the Society on land owned by the Cholmondeley Estate. There is a hide at Deer Park Mere and another at Chapel Mere. These hides are only available for use by members. More details from Charles Hull (see Committee Members). Both of these hides are superb locations for birdwatching and generally admiring the stunning views.