The Dee Estuary is one of the North West's last surviving wildernesses. Every winter it is visited by thousands of wading birds. At times of high water, birds are forced to feed and rest on the limited beach margins including the shore at West Kirby in Wirral.

The Dee Estuary Voluntary Wardens scheme was set up by Wirral Borough Council at the request of English Nature fifteen years ago to protect the birds at these times and to monitor their movements. The data collected by the Wardens are being computerised at Liverpool Museum and contribute to Liverpool Bay Wader Study Group research.