FROM seals at Hilbre Island to rare birds at Marshside, Merseyside is teaming with fascinating flora and fauna. There’s a whole host of wildlife on our doorstep, and now bird expert and former Daily Post Country Matters columnist John Dempsey has written a gem of a book explaining the best places to see the birds, flowers and wild animals all over the region.

“Merseyside is an amazing place, from badgers to grey seals, it has got the lot,” he explains.

“There’s superb woodland, shoreline and marshes, who could ask for more?”

The summer holidays are days away, and with a wealth of green spaces and natural habitat nearby, John says there are plenty of spots in the area that are perfect for families to start enjoying the natural world.

“There are so many places – Parkgate Marshes on a high tide for birds, Red Rocks for more birds, dragonflies and flora, Hilbre for priceless island experience, the Wirral Way for birds, insects and plants.

“In Formby, Cabin Hill, south of Range Lane, the dunes and pinewoods, Wicks Lane pond, Fisherman’s Path and, of course, the National Trust Reserve at Victoria Road, Freshfield, for our threatened Red Squirrels.

“The Crosby Marine Park and the footpath towards Hightown north of Hall Road and the Coastguard Station in Litherland, the Rimrose Valley is wonderful.

“Birding and the natural world can be enjoyed at all levels and it’s free. How can you put a price on an Arctic Tern or Manx Shearwater skimming past Formby Point in a storm? Or a dragonfly glittering over a summer pond?”

I ask John what has inspired him to write Wild Merseyside.

“Although I’ve been lucky to travel the world watching wildlife, Merseyside is home, always has been, always will be – I wanted to let everyone know about the wealth of wildlife we have, from the centre of Liverpool to the Ribble and Dee Marshes,” he says.