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Description
Runcorn Hill (park & local nature reserve) is situated in the heart of Runcorn (old town). Commanding panoramic views over the Mersey Estuary looking north west to Liverpool, south west to the Welsh hills and south east to Frodsham and Delamere. The habitats cover lowland heath with scattered scrub of gorse, silver birch, wooded hillside, formal parkland, playing fields and recreational small lake. The football fields to the east of the site alongside Park Road are good for Obični galeb loitering and good numbers of Čavka. Since 2016 a Nordic (type) Čavka has been present with its fellow corvids.
The East Quarry is an area of heath with patches of bramble and silver birch. A small pool attracts passerines to bathe and drink and can be good for spring and autumn migrants. Obična crvenrepka, Crnovrata muharica and Šumski zviždak are possible with Brezov zviždak, Chiffchaff, Mala brezova juričica and Veliki detlić the more usual species to be encountered. The 'Cove Walks' are mostly tarmaced but access to the top of the hill is restricted with uneven and steep ground. The top can bring in Obična beloguza and Kos ogrličar. Mostly migrants are overflying and vismigging can be rewarding for those with a little patience.
A larger and deeper former quarry called 'Happy Valley' is mostly wooded with steep sandstone rock faces with the possibility of seeing both spring and autumn migrants sheltering here in the tall trees. A walk to the top of the valley can be accessed from a car park off Highlands Road where a muddy track leads to the rock face called 'Frogs Mouth'. Another good place for watching bird migration, views across the Mersey Estuary and watching skeins of Kratkokljuna guska leaving Frodsham Score at dawn.
Generally a decent spot for a short break of birding and again much to be discovered, partically with vizmigging (watching visible migration) mostly undiscovered.
Spring: Possible Obična crvenrepka, Šumski zviždak, Kos ogrličar and Grmuša čavrljanka.
Summer: Obična grmuša and Grmuša čavrljanka, Brezov zviždak, Veliki detlić, Jelova senica, Lastavičar and Sivi soko.
Autumn: Vismigging, Obična crvenrepka, Planinski zviždak, Obična beloguza, Čižak and Lastavičar.
Winter: Kratkokljuna guska (flying over), Brgljez, Kratkokljuni puzić, Veliki detlić, Mala brezova juričica, Drozd borovnjak, Mali drozd and possible Kugara (in Waxwing invasion years).
Details
Access
Runcorn Hill Park is situated on Highlands Road, Runcorn where a car park is located and a short walk brings you to the pathways that filter through the hills. Access to the Heath Playing fields and recreation area is located on Park Road. A cafe and toilets are located at the top end of the childrens playground. Local bus services operate from Runcorn old town on High Street and operate to Greenway Road Cenotaph which joins uo with Highlands Road and the hill park at the top of that road. Runcorn Railway Station off Picow Farm Road is the nearest station to this site and a 10 minute walk from here up Greenway Road brings you to the Cenotaph and Highlands Road.