Various duck can also be seen on the lake. To the north and east of the A548 as it passes Deeside Industrial Park are the Shotwick fields and boating lake. The boating lake often attracts duck, including Smew. It is very much a river here, rather than estuarine, although it is still tidal. Duck and Cormorants use the river as a flyway and waders can be seen on the sand and mud banks at low tide.
Terns use the river for fishing in the summer.
The main hide at the Connah's Quay Deeside Naturalists' Society reserve. The hide overlooks both the River Dee as it enters the estuary and Oakenholt RSPB reserve. The reserve at the new Gas Power Station overlooks the head of the estuary. It has a variety of habitats from fresh water to salt attracting a wide range of bird species. In the summer Mute Swan, Skylark and Tree Sparrow breed.