Consisting of three tidal islands, Little Eye, Middle Eye and Hilbre, the Hilbre Islands lying at the mouth of the Dee Estuary are designated as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

This group of islands form part of the Dee Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and access is by foot across the two miles from West Kirby on the Wirral.

The islands are cut off from the mainland by the tide for up to four hours out of every twelve so you must leave yourself enough time to leave Hilbre at least three hours before high water.

The Dee Estuary is one of the ten most important estuaries in Europe for the overwintering of wildfowl and waders. Its marshes, mudflats and sandbanks provide ample food for the many species of birds that spend the winter around its shores.

The islands are also an important stopping-off point for the twice-yearly migration of birds along the west coast of Britain and are the main reason why the Hilbre Island Bird Observatory was founded in 1957.

The only mammal known to breed on Hilbre is the Field Vole, although House Mice, Wood Mice, Rabbits, Water Voles and Hedgehogs have all bred successfully in the past. Foxes, Stoats and Weasels are all also known to visit the island occasionally.

The West Hoyle sandbank to the west of the islands is home to large numbers of Grey Seals, which can be seen swimming around the islands most days of the year. Whales and Dolphins have also been sighted from Hilbre.