Join ‘the Bald Hiker’ on a coastal path walk as he seeks views on the Dee Estuary

Travel writer, the Bald Hiker otherwise known as Paul Steele, is swapping his usual foreign jaunts for something closer to home this week when he embarks on a coastal walk of the Dee Estuary.

Along the way he will be talking to people to understand their aspirations for this special place to guide future projects.

The walk is the brainchild of the Tidal Dee Catchment Partnership, hosted by Cheshire Wildlife Trust, who are seeking to find out people’s views on the Estuary – from why they enjoy it and how they use it through to how they feel things can be improved.

The walk will start on Wednesday 28th March at Barkby Beach, Prestatyn and will follow the Wales Coast path until Hawarden Bridge, to finish in Hoylake on Friday 30th March, after passing through Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s Red Rocks Marsh Nature Reserve.

The Tidal Dee Catchment Partnership is welcoming travel writer @paul_steele to the Dee Estuary this week to find out views on this important site for people & wildlife. Follow his journey – #Prestatyn to #Hoylake at #DeeEstuaryWalk

Images: Steve Davis, Amy Lewis & Philip Precey pic.twitter.com/AEFLCnj1EP

— Cheshire WT (@CheshireWT) March 26, 2018

The Partnership are calling for people to join Paul along the walk to share with him why this area is so important to the community.

“We are so pleased that Paul is part of this project – he will help us to raise awareness of the issues and needs of this area not just for wildlife but also for the community. The more passionate people are about their favourite wild places the easier it becomes to ensure important places like the Dee Estuary remain protected and are improved for both people and wildlife,” said Sarah Bennett, Area Manager at Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

A number of volunteers will be walking with Paul along with Councillor Pat Kynaston, Mayor of Neston Town Council who will be walking with Paul on Friday morning.

On the border between Wales and England, the Dee Estuary is a wildlife haven. Its populations of waders and wildfowl make it one of the most important estuaries in Europe.

As well as the birds, you can also find sand lizards and natterjack toads calling the Estuary home, its importance for wildlife means that the Estuary is internationally protected.

The Flintshire leg of the path is managed by the councils coastal rangers who work with community groups, businesses and organisations and have over the past years been able to use grant funding for signs and sculptures depicting the history of the area for visitors to see how it has changed over the years.

Paul Steele is founder and editor of the Bald Hiker website where he blogs about his hiking expeditions all over the world.

An important part of his storytelling takes place through social media where his growing Twitter followers can virtually travel the world through his pictures and learn about Paul’s experiences trying out new technology.

People can follow the walk online, as Paul will be posting films, photos and information about his journey on social media using #DeeEstuaryWalk

The walk:

Day 1 – Wednesday 28^th March – Prestatyn to Flint

Day 2 – Thursday 29^th March – Connah’s Quay to Neston

Day 3 – Friday 30^th March – Parkgate to Hoylake