RSPB Reserve · Southport · Free entry
Marshside RSPB Reserve
If you're going to visit one place on the Sefton Coast for birdwatching, make it Marshside. Free entry. Managed lagoons, breeding Avocets, and in winter — the sky fills with Pink-footed Geese. No excuses.
80,000+
Pink-footed Geese (peak winter)
Free
Entry — always
10–20
Avocet pairs breeding
PR9 9PH
Postcode for parking
Practical information
| Postcode | PR9 9PH |
| Entry | Free. RSPB members and non-members alike |
| Car park | Free roadside parking on Marshside Road. Small layby — arrive early in winter or you'll park further up |
| Hides | Two hides: Sandgrounder Hide (main lagoon) and the sea wall viewpoint |
| Dogs | Allowed on leads on the paths. Keep them well clear of nesting areas April–July |
| Facilities | No café or toilets on site. Southport town centre is 15 minutes on foot |
| Accessibility | The main path along the sea wall is flat and firm. Hides are step-free |
Seasonal highlights
When to visit
Marshside is worth visiting any time of year. The honest answer is that October through March is the best of it — but there's always something happening.
October – March: the peak
Pink-footed Geese arrive from Iceland in October and by November there can be 80,000+ on the Ribble Estuary. Stand on the sea wall around dusk and you'll hear the noise before you see anything — a low, constant calling that builds until the sky goes dark with birds. It's one of the best wildlife spectacles in the North West and it costs nothing.
Through winter the lagoons hold Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler and Pintail. Ruff and Golden Plover work the fields behind the reserve. If it's cold and clear, check for Short-eared Owl quartering the saltmarsh at dusk.
April – June: breeding season
Avocets breed on the scrapes — usually 10–20 pairs. Lapwing and Redshank nest on the marsh. Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings arrive in April. Summer wader passage starts in May with Dunlin, Ringed Plover and the occasional Ruff still in breeding plumage.
Keep dogs strictly on leads from April onwards. Those Avocets have flown from West Africa to nest here.
July – September: autumn passage
Wader passage picks up in late July. Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper all pass through. Numbers build through August — by mid-August the main scrape can hold 200–400 Dunlin. September brings Black-tailed Godwit in large flocks on the inner marsh.
The geese start coming back from Iceland from late September. The first skeins of the season are always a good moment.
Kit list
What to bring
- ▸Binoculars — The basic requirement. 8×42 covers everything you'll see from the hides. Waders on the far mud are manageable at that magnification.
- ▸Scope — Useful in winter when the geese are on the estuary. Not essential but if you've got one, bring it.
- ▸Layers and waterproofs — Marshside is exposed. The wind off the Ribble is relentless. Dress warmer than you think you need to.
- ▸Walking boots or wellies — The sea wall path is firm but field edges can be muddy after rain. Trainers are fine in summer.
- ▸Thermos — Optional but you'll be glad of it. There's nowhere to get a coffee on site.
- ▸Field guide — Collins Bird Guide is the one. The waders especially benefit from having a book on hand in autumn passage.
Hides & viewpoints
The hides
The main hide looks over the managed lagoon and scrapes — this is where you'll see most of the waders and wildfowl. It faces south-west, which means afternoon sun straight in your eyes in winter. Go in the morning if you can. The light is better and the geese are usually still on the fields before they move to the estuary. Check the left-hand corner of the scrape first — that's where the waders tend to congregate.
The sea wall gives you an open view over the Ribble Estuary — essential for the Pink-footed Goose flocks and the winter waders on the mudflats. Bring the scope here.
Getting there
How to find us
Marshside Road runs north from Southport town centre. The reserve entrance is on the left about a mile up, well before you reach Crossens. Postcode PR9 9PH gets you close — park in the layby on the road.
By public transport: Southport is on the Merseyrail Northern Line from Liverpool. The reserve is about 25 minutes on foot from Lord Street, or a short bus ride to Marshside Road.
Common questions
FAQs
Is Marshside RSPB free to enter?
Yes. Entry is free for everyone — RSPB members and non-members alike. The car park on Marshside Road is also free.
What is the postcode for Marshside RSPB?
PR9 9PH. Parking is in the roadside layby on Marshside Road. The reserve entrance is on the left heading north from Southport, about a mile up the road.
When is the best time to visit Marshside RSPB?
October to March is the peak season — Pink-footed Geese arrive from Iceland and numbers can reach 80,000+ on the Ribble Estuary. April–June is good for breeding Avocets and waders. There is always something to see.
Are dogs allowed at Marshside RSPB?
Yes, dogs are allowed on leads on the main paths. Keep them well clear of nesting areas between April and July — Avocets, Lapwing and Redshank nest on and near the scrapes.
How do I get to Marshside RSPB by public transport?
Southport is on the Merseyrail Northern Line from Liverpool. From Lord Street the reserve is about 25 minutes on foot heading north along Marshside Road, or a short local bus ride.
What birds can I see at Marshside in winter?
Pink-footed Goose (80,000+), Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Pintail, Golden Plover, Ruff, and — on good evenings — Short-eared Owl quartering the saltmarsh. Bring a scope for the geese on the estuary.