Summer Mersey Wildlife

Summer is a great time to be out and about spotting wildlife around the Mersey estuary. Not only is it more pleasant for us to be out in the warm weather, but this is also the most active time of year for lots of wildlife. Whether you’re a keen birdwatcher out with your binoculars, or an avid wildlife photographer, there is plenty for everyone to see.

In this month’s blog, we are delighted to share some top tips for spotting wildlife around the estuary, whilst also showcasing some beautiful photography from our Creative Conservation placement student, Emily. Emily captured many beautiful photographs during her placement with us in 2024/25, of estuary landscapes and creatures big and small.

More of Emily’s photography can be viewed on her Instagram page: ecfl.photography

Wildflowers

Wildflowers of course aren’t just for summer. From January onwards, nature delights us with an everchanging display of different flowers. But they’re not just for our benefit, these flowers are a food source for hundreds of insects throughout the summer. Below are a selection of wildflowers captured by Emily in June and July, some familiar and some perhaps less so.

These flowers can be seen in most places around the Mersey estuary, with the meadows at Wigg Island being a particularly good spot to see them. If you see a species and you’re unsure what it is, the app iNaturalist is very useful to check. Simply take a photo, the app then suggests an identification instantly, and a global community of naturalists confirms or refines it. Your observation then becomes open data — which can be used by scientists, conservationists, and researchers worldwide. Learn more here: A Community for Naturalists · iNaturalist

Butterflies

Calm, sunny days are perfect for spotting butterflies. Find yourself a sunny spot with a variety of flowers and bushes, and you are sure to spot a few. There are many to be seen around the Mersey estuary, as shown in the below photos Emily has captured of several stunning species. These photos were taken around Wigg Island, Runcorn, and near Spike Island, Widnes.

The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide survey to help assess the health of the environment and was launched in 2010 by Butterfly Conservation. Butterfly declines are an early warning for the decline of other wildlife as they react very quickly to changes in their environment. Unfortunately, butterflies are under threat, and their numbers have decreased significantly since the 1970s. Butterflies are vital parts of the ecosystem as both pollinators and components of the food chain.

By taking part in the Big Butterfly Count, you are helping scientists to keep an eye on butterfly numbers and providing important information about the wider environment in general. Conduct your count and submit your results by the 9^th of August. More information is available here: Big Butterfly Count

Dragonflies and damselflies

What is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly? Whilst they look quite similar and are both flying insects found near bodies of water, there are a few key differences to look out for. Dragonflies are typically larger and chunkier than damselflies, but the easiest way to tell the difference is to look at them when they are resting. Dragonflies have their wings open when they rest, while damselflies have their wings closed – which can be seen in the photos Emily has captured below.

If you would like to see these beautiful insects for yourself, take a walk along the canal at Carter house in Widnes, or the Latchford canal in Runcorn, where there are plenty to be found in the summer months.

Birds:

There are many birds to be found around the estuary year-round. Some species, such as the common whitethroat pictured by Emily below, are summer visitors, and are only seen in this area between April – October. If you’re heading out to look for Mersey birds, the app Merlin is an excellent tool to identify bird calls, so that you then have a better idea what is in the area and what to look out for. Take a look here: Merlin Bird ID – Free, instant bird identification help and guide for thousands of birds – Identify the birds you see

Spike Island and Widnes Warth are excellent spots for views over the estuary. Look up for buzzards circling over the saltmarsh or listen for the chorus of song thrush and skylark overhead. Keep an eye out for elusive reed bunting and warblers hanging out in the reedbeds too. Along the St Helens canal tow path, you’ll be sure to spot species such as finches and thrushes in the hawthorn and bramble. You may even see the blue flash of a kingfisher passing through the canal. Further up, the viewing platforms at the Future Flower sculpture provide a peaceful outlook onto the inter-tidal mudflats, where gulls, lapwing, cormorants, shelduck and curlew can often be easily spotted with or without binoculars.

Marine mammals

Did you know that dolphins, porpoises, and seals are regularly spotted in the Mersey? The lower estuary, particularly around the Otterspool area, is a great place to spot dolphins and porpoise. Summer is a particularly good time to spot them, as it is much easier to spot them in the calmer waters. Keep your eyes peeled for an hour either side of high tide and you may well see a fin like the ones photographed below (by Richard Ghorbal) emerging from the water.

Grey seals can be spotted all along the Mersey and are often spotted as far up the river as Warrington! They even use the high tides to pass weirs such as Howley Weir in Warrington. The seal photographed below (by Jackie Binks) was spotted from Oglet Shore, and they have also been spotted in the lower estuary from Otterspool. Like the dolphins and porpoises, the best time to spot them is an hour either side of high tide.

We are on a mission to have more official records of marine mammals in the Mersey to help protect these wonderful species. Although dolphins, porpoises, and seals are regularly spotted in the Mersey, there are few official sightings recorded. If you see any marine mammals, please get in touch with the species, date and time, location, and a photo if you have one (but not necessary) by emailing info@mget.org.uk. You can also submit your sightings on iNaturalist or by contacting your local environmental records centre (details below).

RECORD is the Local Environmental Records Centre for Cheshire, Halton, Warrington and Wirral: RECORD Home

Merseyside BioBank is the Local Environmental Records Centre for North Merseyside: Other Services – conservation through recording

We hope you have a wonderful summer of spotting Mersey wildlife! Keep an eye on our social media and website for details of our guided walks happening in September 2026, where you can join us to look for some of the wildlife featured above.