A NATURE reserve on the Dee Estuary will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year.

The well known RSPB Dee Estuary first purchased an area of saltmarsh and mudflats the size of 2,000 football pitched at Parkgate in 1979.

By buying this land, this created a sanctuary area for thousands of water birds that now flock to the estuary from Arctic regions every year.

Graham Jones, RSPB Dee Estuary site manager said: “I started coming to Parkgate as a teenager in the 1980s to watch the birds that thrive on the marsh and mud.

"This place played a major part in growing my knowledge and passion for birds and wildlife and helping me end up in the fortunate position I am today.

“Shortly before the RSPB established the reserve, by purchasing the land from British Steel, there were proposals to build a barrage across the Dee, or create a recreational lake within the marsh at Parkgate.

"Either of those would have caused the bird numbers to plummet further.”

Since securing the initial part of the reserve on the estuary, originally known as Gayton Sands, the RSPB land holdings have expanded significantly, particularly around the village of Burton, four miles from Parkgate.

Graham added: “The brilliant visitor facilities we opened at Burton Mere Wetlands in 2011 have been a major step in bringing the Dee Estuary’s rich wildlife closer for the public to enjoy easily.

"Since opening, we’ve welcomed nearly a quarter of a million visits, with excellent wildlife spectacles to be enjoyed every day that continually change through the seasons.

“As well as protecting these valuable spaces for birds to spend the winter, we’ve also undertaken extensive land management to support birds to nest, helping species like exotic avocets establish breeding, the largest little egret colony in the country and for the first time in 2018, a successful pair of marsh harriers raised young.

"The reserve also supports a whole range of other special wildlife; from the large like badgers and otters, to the small such as insects, orchids and lizards.”

To mark the milestone, the RSPB will be running some events in 2019 and hope to welcome more people to witness the important nature reserve.

The team are also looking for any photographs, memories or tales of visitors' experiences at the Dee Estuary reserve.

To send anything in email deeestuary@rspb.org.uk or post them to RSPB Dee Estuary nature reserve, Burton Mere Wetlands, Puddington Lane, Burton, Cheshire, CH64 5SF.

For more information visit rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands.