RSPB Inner Marsh Farm

[munchycarrot]

I think I must be missing something.... having heard such good things about IMF we decided to go today.

We walked from the car park & followed the only path, through some trees all the way to one hide & that was it.

It was so full we couldn't really see out or sit down so peered over peoples shoulders for all of 5 mins & left. Went to look for the other paths & there weren't any...

The visitors centre was bolted shut so we got in the car & went to West Kirby to photo the windsurfers instead.

I hope we've just missed the main path & there are other bits to explore.

[astafjevs]

The fact it was busy means there was probably something worth looking at if you'd been patient!

Sounds like IMF is one of the more basic reserves which is more for the birds than for the visitors. Can't really criticise them for that!

[munchycarrot]

It wasn't really a criticism, more that i was expecting a full on day walking and exploring. I can sit & watch birds for hours & hours but there just wasn't space to do so, the hide was 2 rows deep so seeing anything was difficult

Just when you have certain expectations from reading a lot and it's not what you thought...

[Goldmaxx]

I quite often visit and avoid the hide altogether, there are lots of birds to see away from the hide. That said the new hide and visitor centre opens later this month on the other side of the pond, there will eventually be a pathway right around the reserve taking in both hides. Yes the reserve is more for the birds than the people but that's not a bad thing per se. I usually go during the week so have never seen the hide overfull.

[munchycarrot]

So when you say you don't visit the hide at all, do you just walk along the path towards the hide to see the birds?

I'm just confused but it doesn't take much

[Goldmaxx]

Originally Posted by munchycarrot

So when you say you don't visit the hide at all, do you just walk along the path towards the hide to see the birds?

I'm just confused but it doesn't take much

Yes and sit on the bench halfway to the hide. I do visit the hide but not always, I also like to sit and watch the visitors to the feeding station

[munchycarrot]

Ahhh i see, thank you

[JONNY74]

I agree with all the above comments about IMF being more for the birds than the people. It's a cracking reserve for turning out rarities, and has had good numbers of waders recently. It's not on the same scale as say Leighton Moss which is geared for lots of visitors, but that doesn't mean it's not a great bird reserve.
I actually prefer IMF to the bigger reserves because of the good birds it always turns out, which lets face it is what we all want to see. Although IMF can get busy at the weekends, I think the problem you had with the packed hide on your visit was due to people wanting to see the Spotted Crake. The Crake has been around for a couple of weeks and has been drawing plenty of visitors.
Your best bet is to give IMF another chance when the new visitors centre and hide opens. Because I personally think it's a superb reserve for birds.