Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve (March 2025)

An oft overlooked Merseyside nature reserve is Lunt Meadows, adjacent to Maghull (Post Code L29 8YA, off Lunt Road). Its primary role is a Flood Storage Reservoir – which means it can occasionally be closed after heavy rain, being too muddy or actually flooded.

Little Ringed Plover

At the moment parking (and entry) is free; opening hours are 9:30am - 5:00pm which is rather constraining as it precludes early morning and evening shoots when the owl population is most active. They DO lock the gates. You can enter/leave the reserve from a number of other locations (without car parking) which facilitates early/late photography (and dog-walking) but finding a suitable place to park the car is difficult. They are building an education centre and a café… once operational, parking will be charged for (late 2025/2026).

Short Eared Owl

Based around a number of large pools, and with the River Alt on one side, water birds predominate, with large numbers of  Lawings, Redshank, Dunlin and Oystercatchers, Herons, Grebes and Egrets. Little Ringed Plovers and Avocets are breeding at Lunt Meadows. There used to be a large number of owls there (Short Eared and Barn) but the numbers seem to have dropped off in the last few years, perhaps due to the increase in dog walkers. There are a number of screens, but only one full hide. This is only open when a member with the keycode uses the hide. If he leaves, you have to leave.

Great Crested Grebes

A very ‘quiet’ reserve, a lot of patience, plenty of luck and good weather is required. The paths can be quite muddy, so boots or wellies are recommended. There are no toilets (until the café is opened) and little privacy around the lakes; though there are woods on one side.

Lunt Meadows Site Map