The Black Winged Pratincole has still not been seen since 3:00pm yesterday
BWP @ 3pm yesterday ??. I picked it out flying south at height until lost to view at 10.43 yesterday. I know of no further sighting since then. I went off trailblazing around the Shotwick area afterwards to attempt to relocate it with no luck, although I did find a butty van
Pete I asked the same question because had that time been correct there would have been an fair number of miffed birders on Friday
Pete Hines said
Sun May 6 5:56 AM, 2012
Rory Newton wrote:
Visit to Burton this morning to see what was about:
The Black Winged Pratincole has still not been seen since 3:00pm yesterday; It was a no-show from the Great White Egret also, but there was:
Lots of Swallows, House Martins and Swifts, Lots of Avocets and Black-Tailed Godwits too! Shelduck 1 Garden Warbler (Heard) 2 Blackcaps (Heard) 2 Chiffchaff 1 Willow Warbler Little Egrets and Grey Herons Reed Buntings 3 Reed Warblers (Heard) 1 Kestrel
I didn't go to Parkgate for the Temmicks Stint but was told that it was still there.
BWP @ 3pm yesterday ??. I picked it out flying south at height until lost to view at 10.43 yesterday. I know of no further sighting since then. I went off trailblazing around the Shotwick area afterwards to attempt to relocate it with no luck, although I did find a butty van
Rory Newton said
Sat May 5 9:41 PM, 2012
Visit to Burton this morning to see what was about:
The Black Winged Pratincole has still not been seen since 3:00pm yesterday; It was a no-show from the Great White Egret also, but there was:
Lots of Swallows, House Martins and Swifts, Lots of Avocets and Black-Tailed Godwits too! Shelduck 1 Garden Warbler (Heard) 2 Blackcaps (Heard) 2 Chiffchaff 1 Willow Warbler Little Egrets and Grey Herons Reed Buntings 3 Reed Warblers (Heard) 1 Kestrel
I didn't go to Parkgate for the Temmicks Stint but was told that it was still there.
Stephen Fuentes said
Sat May 5 8:25 AM, 2012
An evening visit yesterday with Phil Owen. Unfortunately the Pratincole hadn't been seen since mid morning, and it didn't show for us. However, the Great White Egret did and it was nice to see such a large number of Avocets. At one point, a Hobby flew through and scattered the hirundines which were feeding over the pool.
So, having heard of the Temmink's Stint at Parkgate, we decided a dash up there before dark was in order. On arrival at Donkey Stand Flash, the Temminck's Stint was showing well next to a Common Sandpiper for comparison. Then a Spoonbill appeared. Two lifers for me with a minute, and almost in the same scope view !!
While the Spoonbill fed on molluscs, we fed on Curry and Chips, and watched him out on the flash until dusk.
Cheers,
Steve.
-- Edited by Stephen Fuentes on Saturday 5th of May 2012 08:26:56 AM
-- Edited by Stephen Fuentes on Saturday 5th of May 2012 08:42:59 AM
sid ashton said
Sat May 5 3:41 AM, 2012
Arrived 10.15, just in time to watch the Black-winged Pratincole make its final fly past before heading south - of interest also present: Great White Egret getting some grief from the Swallows and Lapwings, a male Garganey, two Little ringed Plover and a Peregine over.
After BMW went to Parkgate (12.00 - 13.00) where three Common Sandpipers and two Wheatears were seen but no Temmincks Stint at that time.
Jonathan Platt said
Sat May 5 2:44 AM, 2012
Rather surprisingly there were at least four Short-eared owls on Burton Marsh this evening, between 6-6.30pm.
Earlier there was a Temminck's stint at the Donkey Stand Pool at Parkgate, along with three Common sandpipers, a Wheatear and a distant Peregrine.
John Barber said
Sat May 5 12:14 AM, 2012
It may have been distant but a bird well worth getting up early for. Certainly wasn't expecting one of those to drop in this week. A real thrill. The fun of birding !
Ian Campbell said
Fri May 4 11:50 PM, 2012
Pratincole seen flying South around 10.40 from similar location as Henry observed earlier Cheers Ian
David Wilson said
Fri May 4 9:12 PM, 2012
Mid-afternoon visit on way back from Leasowe.:
20 Avocet 1 Yellow wagtail 1 Great white egret 1 Spotted Redshank plenty swallows , House martins and sand martins. No return visit from Black winged pratincole when id left at 5pm.
-- Edited by David Wilson on Friday 4th of May 2012 09:15:42 PM
jason fisher said
Fri May 4 2:24 PM, 2012
black winged pratincole still at burton mere wetlands at 6am according to colin wells
Henry Cook said
Fri May 4 11:33 AM, 2012
Black-winged Pratincole still present at 9am but very distant and out of sight for much of the time. Viewed from the bund hide to the left of the visitor center at Burton Mere.
Great White Egret still knocking around, at one point in the same scope view as the prat. Also around were:
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Friday 4th of May 2012 11:36:06 AM
David Wilson said
Sun Apr 1 7:52 PM, 2012
Nice stroll round the reserve in crystal spring sunshine. 1 Snipe showing just yards from reception hide. Kingfisher flew across pool also. Ruff. Redshank. plus usual wildfowl. 3 Chiffchaff around the ponds. 4 Little egret flying around the heronry. 2 Great spotted woodpecker heard drumming on path to Marsh covert hide. Bittern reported earlier from here making a brief appearance.
Rory Newton said
Sun Mar 11 5:46 AM, 2012
stopped in at Burton before going of to Parkgate for the high tide.
4 spotted redshank, 3 greenshank and 1 ruff. a few pintail and a goldeneye along with the usual ducks. 1 ringtail hen harrier, 2 buzzards and 1 sparrowhawk. 100s black tailed godwit.
Joey Eccles said
Sun Mar 11 3:55 AM, 2012
Popped onto the reserve this morning before heading over to Parkgate.
The highlights included:
A ringtail Hen Harrier, made a brief appearance before heading over towards Parkgate 4 Pintail (including 3 males) 15 Heron were flying in and out of what is presumably a herony 2 Common Buzzard A Sparrowhawk was circling 2 or 3 Greenshank 4, possibly 5 Spotted Redshank (including one with 1 leg that was hopping about!). These were feeding with another 5 or so Common Redshank and so offered great comparison through the telescope. A single Ruff was also feeding with the 'shanks.
And of course the usual other ducks, wildfowl and at least hundred Black Tailed Godwit.
Simon Johnson said
Sat Feb 18 2:43 AM, 2012
A rare day out of county for me today - had a look at a few spots on the Wirral including Burton Wetlands and was very impressed.
10+ White-fronted Geese out on the marsh 4+ Bewick Swans in fields to the east Merlin chasing waders infront of visitor centre 4 Pintail Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Shelduck, Mallard and a few Tufted duck
2 Spotted Redshank 110 Snipe flying round in several large flocks 45+ Golden Plover 50+ Black-tailed Godwit 1000's Lapwing.
Kestrel and Sparrowhawk
Stonechat on Marsh and Nuthatch and Siskin in the woods
The Peet family said
Tue Feb 14 4:21 AM, 2012
At Burton Wetlands - There Apparently Is A Bird Feeder For Farmland Birds - What birds are you likely to get on it????
Thanks
Denzil Nicklin said
Wed Jan 25 7:01 PM, 2012
Hi A very high quality few hours before work at Burton Mere Wetlands yesterday,with a very distant Great White Egret at the back of the reserve,which consistently proved to be very difficult to locate,being the star bird. This was joined by all of the usual suspects of late,with a female Hen Harrier,a calling Water Rail,a female Sparrowhawk,which gave very brief,but good views near to the Reception Area,2 Golden Plover,a Stonechat,3 Common Snipe and a very elusive Jack Snipe.
Cheers Denzil
DavidBowman said
Wed Jan 25 4:31 AM, 2012
Gave Dave Steel a hand with one of his WEA birding classes on a day out to Denhall Lane and Burton Wetlands. We drove through torrential rain which, thankfully started to clear on arrival. Denhall Lane was good, as usual, with 2 Hen Harriers followed by a nice, close Short-eared Owl and 3 Stonechats. Some large movements of Lapwings and Pink-footed Geese added to the spectacle with good flocks of Linnets, Skylarks, Starlings, Meadow Pipits plus the usual waders and Little Egrets out on the marsh.
Moving to Burton Wetlands, a dozen Siskins were in the trees on the walk to the main hide. As we approached the reed bed another ring-tailed Hen Harrier came into view about 30 yards away and quartered around us before heading off in the direction of Denhall. From the hide 73 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Common Snipe gave good views. Suddenly, a female Merlin shot across the front of the hide and then dashed over towards the Visitors Centre, flushing c.200 Fieldfare as it passed. Out on the wet grasslands an estimated 2,500 Lapwing kept flushing nervously and a couple of Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel provided additional interest.
Eventually, we had to tear ourselves away though as we were driving back towards the motorway a second Merlin dashed across the road, just in front of the car.
Cheers David
Denzil Nicklin said
Mon Jan 23 2:48 AM, 2012
Hi An absolutely stunning day's Birding at Burton Mere Wetlands and Marsh today,with 71 species recorded,that started well with a juvenile male Sparrowhawk bombing along Denhall Lane,a Great White Egret far out on the marsh,2 Peregrine,circa 20 Golden Plover and a female Hen Harrier cruising past,and then finished with an awesome hunting display from a Short Eared Owl that was giving views from down to 10 yards for an hour on Denhall Lane Marsh also.Other highlights were a very 'Showy' Spoonbill and another Great White Egret at Burton Mere Wetlands,and also there were circa 50 Dunlin,circa 50 Black Tailed Godwit,2 Barnacle Goose,Pink Footed Goose,Kestrel,2 Buzzard,Reed Bunting,Stonechat,Great Spotted Woodpecker,Pintail,Treecreeper,Nuthatch,Redshank and circa 200 Redwing,with Fieldfare,Chaffinch and Goldfinch amongst the flock.
Cheers Denzil
steven burke said
Sun Jan 22 6:29 AM, 2012
got here around 12.30pm. 1 buzzard 1 kestrel 40+ dunlin 50+ black tailed godwits redshanks & lapwings hundreds off canada & greylag geese 2 barnacle geese did not go to look at the pink foots teals, shovelers, wigeons, gadwalls + few shellducks + usuals 2 nuthatches 3 great spotted woodpeckers 1 goldcrest 1 treecreeper + usual birds in the wooded areas 200+ mostly redwings & fieldfares + small flock off goldfinches in the field just outside reserve.
Denzil Nicklin said
Sat Jan 21 11:21 PM, 2012
Hi A nice few hours at Burton Mere Wetlands this morning,after having spent an hour or so down at Denhall Lane Marsh at first light. Denhall Lane Marsh produced a Water Pipit around the edges of the Decca Pools,with Stonechat,Wigeon,Stock Dove and Curlew in the area also. Burton Mere Wetlands held circa 50 Dunlin,circa 50 Black Tailed Godwit,2 Barnacle Goose,6 Pintail,Gadwall,Shoveler,Tufted Duck,Redshank,6 Grey Heron,Buzzard,Peregrine and also Greylag,Pink Footed,Canada and White Fronted Goose.
Cheers Denzil
sid ashton said
Thu Jan 5 6:24 PM, 2012
A couple of breezy hours with Mr Barber this afternoon at BMW and surrounds looking for the Geese. Thought we had missed out on the Tundra Beans when two turned up late on in the field next to the path that heads south from the reception hide - a lifetime first for John.
Other Geese also in the same field at the same time:- 1 Barnacle, 20 White fronts, as well as Greylags, Canadas and Pink feet.
Nice to meet Mr and Mrs Ribbands again
Chris Harper said
Mon Dec 26 6:13 PM, 2011
Thanks for the tip, sounds great. I'll definately try it out on my next visit.
David Wilson said
Mon Dec 26 1:23 PM, 2011
Nice walk round Burton mere wetlands this morning with family. Hardly a breath of wind down there, but gale force winds at home just a few miles away.
Buzzard 3
Kestrel 1
Snipe 2
Stonechat 2 m+f
Pintail plus all usuals.
Lots of canada geese in front of reception hide.
Denzil Nicklin said
Thu Dec 22 2:30 PM, 2011
Hi Chris
Literally only a couple of minutes drive from the reserve down on Denhall Lane,there are between 3 and 5 Short Eared Owls hunting on a daily basis in broad daylight also,and these birds are providing great views. Also there,is a regular Hen Harrier hunting,and I had views down to as little as 20 yards the other day,which was absolutely breathtaking.
Cheers Denzil
Chris Harper wrote:
First visit to the new reserve yesterday, and wasn't disappointed. High lights: Short Eared Owl hunting in the open at 1pm, and apparently had been most of the morning on and off. (Between the 2 'new' hides). 3 European White Fronted Geese (many Greylags, a few Pinkfeet) 4 Black Tailed Godwits 30+ Siskins Kestrel mobbing Common Buzzard 500+ Lapwing with at least 20 Golden Plover Snipe Many Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall. Reports too of Peregrine and Merlin, but only had a couple of hours so didn't appear. Did have time for my son to nearly win on the raffle, and to warm my hands on the 'in hide' hearth- definately worth a return visit soon.
Chris Harper said
Wed Dec 21 8:13 AM, 2011
First visit to the new reserve yesterday, and wasn't disappointed. High lights: Short Eared Owl hunting in the open at 1pm, and apparently had been most of the morning on and off. (Between the 2 'new' hides). 3 European White Fronted Geese (many Greylags, a few Pinkfeet) 4 Black Tailed Godwits 30+ Siskins Kestrel mobbing Common Buzzard 500+ Lapwing with at least 20 Golden Plover Snipe Many Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall. Reports too of Peregrine and Merlin, but only had a couple of hours so didn't appear. Did have time for my son to nearly win on the raffle, and to warm my hands on the 'in hide' hearth- definately worth a return visit soon.
Patrick Earith said
Sun Dec 11 12:46 PM, 2011
Phil Owen wrote:
Although they were distant, the amount of yellow on the bill would have solved things easily.
Blob for Bewicks, Point for Whooper is something I was once told and is useful to remember.
Obviously Bewicks are smaller than Whoopers, but if the birds are distant and making out the size of the bird is a problem, I'd go back and check those bills for either Blobs or Points.
Good Luck!
The best view I had was of one that definitely had more of a blob than a point, and, as it was feeding next to a Canada, and didn't seem much bigger than it, I came to the conclusion that it could well have been a Bewicks. What I may have assumed, wrongly, was that the others nearby may also have been Bewicks, when, in fact, they could have been Whoopers, but, just further away!
Phil Owen said
Sun Dec 11 12:10 PM, 2011
Although they were distant, the amount of yellow on the bill would have solved things easily.
Blob for Bewicks, Point for Whooper is something I was once told and is useful to remember.
Obviously Bewicks are smaller than Whoopers, but if the birds are distant and making out the size of the bird is a problem, I'd go back and check those bills for either Blobs or Points.
Good Luck!
Denzil Nicklin said
Sun Dec 11 8:44 AM, 2011
Nick Isherwood wrote:
Patrick Earith wrote:
An hour on the IMF side produced great views of a Short-eared Owl hunting across the reedbed in the late afternoon sun. Also, nice to see a mixed flock of Siskin and Goldfinch in the trees on the path down.
Earlier, a scan of the marsh off Denhall Lane, produced what I think were a dozen or so Bewicks (confirmation from anyone else present eagerly sought, as views were distant!). Also, thousands of Lapwing, amongst which were also a large number of Golden Plover. Kestrel also.
Patrick, its highly likely they were Bewick's. I had 9 there on Friday lunchtime and I know there's been a few knocking around there for a couple of weeks now.
Hi Patrick
A difficult one to call,because there are good numbers of both Whooper and Bewick Swans in the vicinity,at both Burton Marsh and also on the nearby Shotwick fields. I recorded circa 15 Whooper's off Denhall Lane at about 8.15am yesterday,with one or two Bewick's amongst them..............also present at that time were 5 Short Eared Owls and 1 Hen Harrier( juv male).
Cheers Denzil
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Dec 10 7:34 PM, 2011
Patrick Earith wrote:
An hour on the IMF side produced great views of a Short-eared Owl hunting across the reedbed in the late afternoon sun. Also, nice to see a mixed flock of Siskin and Goldfinch in the trees on the path down.
Earlier, a scan of the marsh off Denhall Lane, produced what I think were a dozen or so Bewicks (confirmation from anyone else present eagerly sought, as views were distant!). Also, thousands of Lapwing, amongst which were also a large number of Golden Plover. Kestrel also.
Patrick, its highly likely they were Bewick's. I had 9 there on Friday lunchtime and I know there's been a few knocking around there for a couple of weeks now.
Patrick Earith said
Sat Dec 10 6:06 PM, 2011
An hour on the IMF side produced great views of a Short-eared Owl hunting across the reedbed in the late afternoon sun. Also, nice to see a mixed flock of Siskin and Goldfinch in the trees on the path down.
Earlier, a scan of the marsh off Denhall Lane, produced what I think were a dozen or so Bewicks (confirmation from anyone else present eagerly sought, as views were distant!). Also, thousands of Lapwing, amongst which were also a large number of Golden Plover. Kestrel also.
Geoff Walton said
Fri Dec 9 8:13 PM, 2011
Great view of a short-eared Owl hunting for about 5 mins from the New Hide.
p.s. It was not warm at New brighton earlier
edit. wrong sort of owl
-- Edited by Geoff Walton on Friday 9th of December 2011 11:12:58 PM
Ruth Daniels said
Mon Dec 5 10:45 AM, 2011
Male Green-winged Teal present yesterday.
paul brady said
Wed Nov 23 12:46 PM, 2011
Good half-day here so far: Kingfisher just flew right by 5 whooper's here and 5 on border pool 14 white=fronted geese hiding female merlin goldcrest in scot's pines around recption too
Rob Bell said
Mon Nov 21 5:58 PM, 2011
Sunday 13th November
1 Glossy Ibis! 1 Jack Snipe 1 Peregrine 1 Sparrowhawk 5 Common Snipe Usual waders, ducks and small birds.
Ian Campbell said
Fri Nov 18 4:22 PM, 2011
My first visit to the new Burton Wetlands centre this morning, nothing unusual but lots of good birds at what looks like developing into an excellent site, the new hides were good, the volunteers were helpful. Well done RSPB. Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Friday 18th of November 2011 04:34:03 PM
Patrick Earith said
Tue Nov 15 8:53 PM, 2011
A visit this morning and managed not to see Glossy Ibis, Jack Snipe and White Fronted Geese!
There were 5 Snipe in front of Marsh Covert along with about another 20 opposite the Reception Hide. But, no Jack, that I could see. Similarly, dozens of Greylag, but, the White Fronts were well hidden when I was there.
Quite a lot of maintenance work going on here today across the whole reserve, including over at IMF, so, if the Ibis had still been about, I reckon it would have easily been flushed. I wonder if the one that has turned up at Maltraeth is the same one.
Incredible to still see the dead crow hanging by it's foot from the top of the tree behind the fishing pool. It was there last time I came last month!
P.S. Forgot to mention, distant view of a Short eared owl hunting over the marsh off Denhall Lane. But, since been spoilt by my experience at Frodsham - see separate post
Pete Welch said
Tue Nov 15 6:26 PM, 2011
Nine common snipe, one ringtail, several skeins of Pink Feet [+ the feral Ross's Goose] and two whoopers were the highlights of a quick visit on my way back from wales [see other thread for snow bunt news].
Pat Griffin said
Mon Nov 14 9:25 PM, 2011
Went here this morning to try to see the Glossy Ibis which had been seen over the weekend. After about 20 minutes it was seen flying towards Marsh Covert hide where it landed briefly before flying off into the reedbed again.
Also present were 5 European White-fronted Geese and 2 Whooper Swans.
Several birders in Marsh Covert hide started to search for Jack Snipe amongst the Common Snipe. We thought we had poor views of one at one stage - the bird in question was bobbing up and down like a clockwork toy just like a Jack Snipe. However, when we got better views its beak was much too long, the head pattern was wrong for a Jack Snipe and we realised it was a Common Snipe. I have never seen a Common Snipe bob up and down persistently like this before and wondered if anyone else has?
Chris Chandler said
Mon Nov 14 4:45 PM, 2011
Late report from yesterday- 12pm - 2.30pm Spent a frustrating hour or so scoping the far edge of the marsh from the walkway between reception and the Marsh Covert hide, before the Ibis landed right in front of the hide. Couldn't have been more obliging
Had some great views of the Jack Snipe bobbing in the reeds in front of the hide. I doubt I'd have noticed it if someone hadn't described where it was in minute detail
Very chuffed - 2 lifers for both myself and Rob Bell.
Also seen- Peregrine Sparrowhawk Kestrel Lots of Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and the odd Gadwall A stunning male Stonechat right in front of the hide
We then capped the day off with some great views of the Short-Eared Owls over at Frodsham.
Stephen Fuentes said
Sun Nov 13 5:48 PM, 2011
A visit this afternoon with Phil Owen, and we soon located the Glossy Ibis showing very well in front of the new hide. A lifer for us
A couple of the birders present also put us onto the Jack Snipe nearby which was just showing the top of its head and one eye.
This was my first visit to the new Burton Wetlands. A great reserve, although we found scoping at that time of day (late afternoon) tricky from the reception hide due to the sun being directly in front of us.
Later on Burton Marsh, we had a couple of distant SEOs plus some Stonechats close in.
Cheers,
Steve.
Pete Welch said
Sun Nov 13 12:25 PM, 2011
Really good couple of hours this morning at BMW - arrived in the reception hide to Paul pointing out 4 White Fronted Geese flying in, then walked into the new hide to see the Glossy Ibis fly across the pool being mobbed by BHGs and then fly over and land somewhere in the reed beds. Followed by being put onto the Jack Snipe which showed, bobbed and fed really well in front of the hide for at least an hour [my previous bogey bird!]. Finally a Hen Harrier put on several appearances before flying back over towards the Burton Marsh area.
Made sure a few other people got onto the Jack Snipe but it was very dull for photos - sun came out as we hit the M56!
Jonathan Platt said
Sat Nov 12 6:37 PM, 2011
A glossy ibis came in high from the west around 1.45pm today and dropped onto the marsh as we were sat in the reception at Burton Wetlands. I counted twenty nine snipe around the perimeter of the pool in front of the reception, a jack snipe was showing well from the hide, otherwise it was quiet. Nineteen short-eared owls from Burton Point and thirteen from Denhall Lane (obviously some overlap), plus several hen harriers (including a male), merlins, peregrines, etc. A male gooseander flew by too.
Geoff Walton said
Fri Nov 11 10:24 PM, 2011
Nice to meet you Paul as we called in for a warm having started at Red Rocks.
Thanks for sending us down to look at the Jack Snipe. it moved it's head once so you could see it was a bird
Mike Chorley said
Fri Nov 11 7:41 PM, 2011
As well as Nick's Snipe and Swans, at least 1 Peregerine, seen from Reception Hide, IMF and Denhall Lane, min 12 Pintail and a male Marsh Harrier. 48 species in total
No sign of the Great White Egret up to 16.45, although there were 70 plus Little Egret gathered to the north of Marsh Covert hide. However, we noticed that quite a few birds were coming in to roost on the east side of the trees behind the marsh, so it may have sneaked around behind us.
First impressions here were good. The comedy bats and the giant Bluebells are a bit too Disney for my taste, and some people were having difficulty getting a good line on the Jack Snipe because of the four fixed windows in the central section of the hide, but there's an interesting mix of habitat. Just needs the Inner Marsh Farm path extension to round things off.
Nick Isherwood said
Fri Nov 11 3:59 PM, 2011
Called in at Burton Wetlands at lunchtime for a quick hour.
A Jack Snipe showed quote well in front of the Marsh Covert hide at a distance of about 25 yards. It did spend most of it's time sleeping but occasionally stuck it's head up and started bobbing around. It was good to have these views of such a notoriously difficult to find bird!!
Also, good numbers of Pink feet flying right past the hide and one skein contained a single Barnacle goose. Around 20 Whooper also settled in on the distant Border pool.
Keith Mills said
Wed Nov 9 6:11 PM, 2011
This was the mid-week Wigan RSPB outing. The morning was spent at Burton Mere Wetlands Nature Reserve , followed by lunch at Burton Marsh and an afternoon walk up to Decca Pools..... see separate posting for the afternoon. Buzzard...1 Kestrel......1 Teal............350 plus Widgeon 250....plus Lapwing..... 500 plus Dunlin...8 Black tail Godwit....5 Snipe ....4 Little Grebes ...2 Tufted duck....1 Shovelers ....... 75plus Shell Duck...6 Pintail Duck.......2 Curlew ... 2 GBB Gull.... 1 Gadwall..................4 at least Grey Heron...1 Mute Swans ..2 Coal /Great/LT/Blue tits small numbers. GS Woodpecker.... 1 Goldfinch ...small flock Siskin...1 Nuthatch...1 Geese ...Small flocks of Canada/ Greylag/and Pink Footed Geese over. ...See Afternoon Posting.
Carrion Crow /Jackdaws/BH gulls/Coots
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 9th of November 2011 06:34:10 PM
paul brady said
Wed Nov 9 1:07 PM, 2011
2 great whites coming regularly into roost at Burton Mere Wetlands and last nights bittern was a bonus! All seen from reception building
John Rayner said
Thu Oct 27 10:52 AM, 2011
Thanks for the info Jonathan
John
Jonathan Platt said
Thu Oct 27 10:34 AM, 2011
John Rayner wrote:
paul brady wrote:
2 great white egrets came into roost last night again
Which hide is best to watch the Egret roost from and roughly what time has the Great White Egret, or Egrets, arrived?
Many thanks in advance, John
I think the reserve shuts at 5.00pm John, which is probably too early for the egrets to go to roost at the moment. I've seen the GW's from Denhall Lane several times recently, just down the road from the old IMF entrance. Plus you get to see hen harriers, merlins, peregrines, etc. hunting late over the marsh, and the chance of the local barn owl putting in an appearance. I had a se owl there last Saturday (looking west towards Decca Pools) and sometimes see a little owl on the posts beside the footpath to Burton Point to the east.
The GW's have come in quite late when I've been there. Never checked the time but I'd guess at some time after 6.00pm at the moment. Get there earlier though in case I'm wrong!
BWP @ 3pm yesterday ??. I picked it out flying south at height until lost to view at 10.43 yesterday. I know of no further sighting since then. I went off trailblazing around the Shotwick area afterwards to attempt to relocate it with no luck, although I did find a butty van
The Black Winged Pratincole has still not been seen since 3:00pm yesterday;
It was a no-show from the Great White Egret also, but there was:
Lots of Swallows, House Martins and Swifts,
Lots of Avocets and Black-Tailed Godwits too!
Shelduck
1 Garden Warbler (Heard)
2 Blackcaps (Heard)
2 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
Little Egrets and Grey Herons
Reed Buntings
3 Reed Warblers (Heard)
1 Kestrel
I didn't go to Parkgate for the Temmicks Stint but was told that it was still there.
So, having heard of the Temmink's Stint at Parkgate, we decided a dash up there before dark was in order. On arrival at Donkey Stand Flash, the Temminck's Stint was showing well next to a Common Sandpiper for comparison. Then a Spoonbill appeared. Two lifers for me with a minute, and almost in the same scope view !!
While the Spoonbill fed on molluscs, we fed on Curry and Chips, and watched him out on the flash until dusk.
Cheers,
Steve.
-- Edited by Stephen Fuentes on Saturday 5th of May 2012 08:26:56 AM
-- Edited by Stephen Fuentes on Saturday 5th of May 2012 08:42:59 AM
After BMW went to Parkgate (12.00 - 13.00) where three Common Sandpipers and two Wheatears were seen but no Temmincks Stint at that time.
Earlier there was a Temminck's stint at the Donkey Stand Pool at Parkgate, along with three Common sandpipers, a Wheatear and a distant Peregrine.
Cheers Ian
20 Avocet
1 Yellow wagtail
1 Great white egret
1 Spotted Redshank
plenty swallows , House martins and sand martins.
No return visit from Black winged pratincole when id left at 5pm.
-- Edited by David Wilson on Friday 4th of May 2012 09:15:42 PM
Great White Egret still knocking around, at one point in the same scope view as the prat. Also around were:
4 Little Egrets
4 Greylag Geese
19 Avocets
c80 Black-tailed Godwits
1 Yellow Wagtail
1 Grasshopper Warbler
1 Lesser Whitethroat
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Friday 4th of May 2012 11:36:06 AM
4 spotted redshank, 3 greenshank and 1 ruff. a few pintail and a goldeneye along with the usual ducks. 1 ringtail hen harrier, 2 buzzards and 1 sparrowhawk. 100s black tailed godwit.
The highlights included:
A ringtail Hen Harrier, made a brief appearance before heading over towards Parkgate
4 Pintail (including 3 males)
15 Heron were flying in and out of what is presumably a herony
2 Common Buzzard
A Sparrowhawk was circling
2 or 3 Greenshank
4, possibly 5 Spotted Redshank (including one with 1 leg that was hopping about!). These were feeding with another 5 or so Common Redshank and so offered great comparison through the telescope.
A single Ruff was also feeding with the 'shanks.
And of course the usual other ducks, wildfowl and at least hundred Black Tailed Godwit.
10+ White-fronted Geese out on the marsh
4+ Bewick Swans in fields to the east
Merlin chasing waders infront of visitor centre
4 Pintail
Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Shelduck, Mallard and a few Tufted duck
2 Spotted Redshank
110 Snipe flying round in several large flocks
45+ Golden Plover
50+ Black-tailed Godwit
1000's Lapwing.
Kestrel and Sparrowhawk
Stonechat on Marsh and Nuthatch and Siskin in the woods
Thanks
A very high quality few hours before work at Burton Mere Wetlands yesterday,with a very distant Great White Egret at the back of the reserve,which consistently proved to be very difficult to locate,being the star bird.
This was joined by all of the usual suspects of late,with a female Hen Harrier,a calling Water Rail,a female Sparrowhawk,which gave very brief,but good views near to the Reception Area,2 Golden Plover,a Stonechat,3 Common Snipe and a very elusive Jack Snipe.
Cheers Denzil
Moving to Burton Wetlands, a dozen Siskins were in the trees on the walk to the main hide. As we approached the reed bed another ring-tailed Hen Harrier came into view about 30 yards away and quartered around us before heading off in the direction of Denhall. From the hide 73 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Common Snipe gave good views. Suddenly, a female Merlin shot across the front of the hide and then dashed over towards the Visitors Centre, flushing c.200 Fieldfare as it passed. Out on the wet grasslands an estimated 2,500 Lapwing kept flushing nervously and a couple of Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel provided additional interest.
Eventually, we had to tear ourselves away though as we were driving back towards the motorway a second Merlin dashed across the road, just in front of the car.
Cheers David
An absolutely stunning day's Birding at Burton Mere Wetlands and Marsh today,with 71 species recorded,that started well with a juvenile male Sparrowhawk bombing along Denhall Lane,a Great White Egret far out on the marsh,2 Peregrine,circa 20 Golden Plover and a female Hen Harrier cruising past,and then finished with an awesome hunting display from a Short Eared Owl that was giving views from down to 10 yards for an hour on Denhall Lane Marsh also.Other highlights were a very 'Showy' Spoonbill and another Great White Egret at Burton Mere Wetlands,and also there were circa 50 Dunlin,circa 50 Black Tailed Godwit,2 Barnacle Goose,Pink Footed Goose,Kestrel,2 Buzzard,Reed Bunting,Stonechat,Great Spotted Woodpecker,Pintail,Treecreeper,Nuthatch,Redshank and circa 200 Redwing,with Fieldfare,Chaffinch and Goldfinch amongst the flock.
Cheers Denzil
1 buzzard
1 kestrel
40+ dunlin
50+ black tailed godwits
redshanks & lapwings
hundreds off canada & greylag geese
2 barnacle geese
did not go to look at the pink foots
teals, shovelers, wigeons, gadwalls + few shellducks + usuals
2 nuthatches
3 great spotted woodpeckers
1 goldcrest
1 treecreeper
+ usual birds in the wooded areas
200+ mostly redwings & fieldfares + small flock off goldfinches in the field just outside reserve.
A nice few hours at Burton Mere Wetlands this morning,after having spent an hour or so down at Denhall Lane Marsh at first light.
Denhall Lane Marsh produced a Water Pipit around the edges of the Decca Pools,with Stonechat,Wigeon,Stock Dove and Curlew in the area also.
Burton Mere Wetlands held circa 50 Dunlin,circa 50 Black Tailed Godwit,2 Barnacle Goose,6 Pintail,Gadwall,Shoveler,Tufted Duck,Redshank,6 Grey Heron,Buzzard,Peregrine and also Greylag,Pink Footed,Canada and White Fronted Goose.
Cheers Denzil
Other Geese also in the same field at the same time:- 1 Barnacle, 20 White fronts, as well as Greylags, Canadas and Pink feet.
Nice to meet Mr and Mrs Ribbands again
Literally only a couple of minutes drive from the reserve down on Denhall Lane,there are between 3 and 5 Short Eared Owls hunting on a daily basis in broad daylight also,and these birds are providing great views.
Also there,is a regular Hen Harrier hunting,and I had views down to as little as 20 yards the other day,which was absolutely breathtaking.
Cheers Denzil
High lights:
Short Eared Owl hunting in the open at 1pm, and apparently had been most of the morning on and off. (Between the 2 'new' hides).
3 European White Fronted Geese (many Greylags, a few Pinkfeet)
4 Black Tailed Godwits
30+ Siskins
Kestrel mobbing Common Buzzard
500+ Lapwing with at least 20 Golden Plover
Snipe
Many Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall.
Reports too of Peregrine and Merlin, but only had a couple of hours so didn't appear.
Did have time for my son to nearly win on the raffle, and to warm my hands on the 'in hide' hearth- definately worth a return visit soon.
The best view I had was of one that definitely had more of a blob than a point, and, as it was feeding next to a Canada, and didn't seem much bigger than it, I came to the conclusion that it could well have been a Bewicks. What I may have assumed, wrongly, was that the others nearby may also have been Bewicks, when, in fact, they could have been Whoopers, but, just further away!
Blob for Bewicks, Point for Whooper is something I was once told and is useful to remember.
Obviously Bewicks are smaller than Whoopers, but if the birds are distant and making out the size of the bird is a problem, I'd go back and check those bills for either Blobs or Points.
Good Luck!
Hi Patrick
A difficult one to call,because there are good numbers of both Whooper and Bewick Swans in the vicinity,at both Burton Marsh and also on the nearby Shotwick fields.
I recorded circa 15 Whooper's off Denhall Lane at about 8.15am yesterday,with one or two Bewick's amongst them..............also present at that time were 5 Short Eared Owls and 1 Hen Harrier( juv male).
Cheers Denzil
Patrick, its highly likely they were Bewick's. I had 9 there on Friday lunchtime and I know there's been a few knocking around there for a couple of weeks now.
Earlier, a scan of the marsh off Denhall Lane, produced what I think were a dozen or so Bewicks (confirmation from anyone else present eagerly sought, as views were distant!). Also, thousands of Lapwing, amongst which were also a large number of Golden Plover. Kestrel also.
p.s. It was not warm at New brighton earlier
edit. wrong sort of owl
-- Edited by Geoff Walton on Friday 9th of December 2011 11:12:58 PM
Male Green-winged Teal present yesterday.
Kingfisher just flew right by
5 whooper's here and 5 on border pool
14 white=fronted geese hiding
female merlin
goldcrest in scot's pines around recption too
1 Glossy Ibis!
1 Jack Snipe
1 Peregrine
1 Sparrowhawk
5 Common Snipe
Usual waders, ducks and small birds.
Cheers Ian
-- Edited by Ian Campbell on Friday 18th of November 2011 04:34:03 PM
There were 5 Snipe in front of Marsh Covert along with about another 20 opposite the Reception Hide. But, no Jack, that I could see. Similarly, dozens of Greylag, but, the White Fronts were well hidden when I was there.
Quite a lot of maintenance work going on here today across the whole reserve, including over at IMF, so, if the Ibis had still been about, I reckon it would have easily been flushed. I wonder if the one that has turned up at Maltraeth is the same one.
Incredible to still see the dead crow hanging by it's foot from the top of the tree behind the fishing pool. It was there last time I came last month!
P.S. Forgot to mention, distant view of a Short eared owl hunting over the marsh off Denhall Lane. But, since been spoilt by my experience at Frodsham - see separate post
Also present were 5 European White-fronted Geese and 2 Whooper Swans.
Several birders in Marsh Covert hide started to search for Jack Snipe amongst the Common Snipe. We thought we had poor views of one at one stage - the bird in question was bobbing up and down like a clockwork toy just like a Jack Snipe. However, when we got better views its beak was much too long, the head pattern was wrong for a Jack Snipe and we realised it was a Common Snipe. I have never seen a Common Snipe bob up and down persistently like this before and wondered if anyone else has?
Spent a frustrating hour or so scoping the far edge of the marsh from the walkway between reception and the Marsh Covert hide, before the Ibis landed right in front of the hide. Couldn't have been more obliging
Had some great views of the Jack Snipe bobbing in the reeds in front of the hide. I doubt I'd have noticed it if someone hadn't described where it was in minute detail
Very chuffed - 2 lifers for both myself and Rob Bell.
Also seen-
Peregrine
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Lots of Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and the odd Gadwall
A stunning male Stonechat right in front of the hide
We then capped the day off with some great views of the Short-Eared Owls over at Frodsham.
A couple of the birders present also put us onto the Jack Snipe nearby which was just showing the top of its head and one eye.
This was my first visit to the new Burton Wetlands. A great reserve, although we found scoping at that time of day (late afternoon) tricky from the reception hide due to the sun being directly in front of us.
Later on Burton Marsh, we had a couple of distant SEOs plus some Stonechats close in.
Cheers,
Steve.
Made sure a few other people got onto the Jack Snipe but it was very dull for photos - sun came out as we hit the M56!
Thanks for sending us down to look at the Jack Snipe. it moved it's head once so you could see it was a bird
No sign of the Great White Egret up to 16.45, although there were 70 plus Little Egret gathered to the north of Marsh Covert hide. However, we noticed that quite a few birds were coming in to roost on the east side of the trees behind the marsh, so it may have sneaked around behind us.
First impressions here were good. The comedy bats and the giant Bluebells are a bit too Disney for my taste, and some people were having difficulty getting a good line on the Jack Snipe because of the four fixed windows in the central section of the hide, but there's an interesting mix of habitat. Just needs the Inner Marsh Farm path extension to round things off.
A Jack Snipe showed quote well in front of the Marsh Covert hide at a distance of about 25 yards. It did spend most of it's time sleeping but occasionally stuck it's head up and started bobbing around. It was good to have these views of such a notoriously difficult to find bird!!
Also, good numbers of Pink feet flying right past the hide and one skein contained a single Barnacle goose. Around 20 Whooper also settled in on the distant Border pool.
The morning was spent at Burton Mere Wetlands Nature Reserve ,
followed by lunch at Burton Marsh and an afternoon walk up to Decca Pools..... see separate posting for the afternoon.
Buzzard...1
Kestrel......1
Teal............350 plus
Widgeon 250....plus
Lapwing..... 500 plus
Dunlin...8
Black tail Godwit....5
Snipe ....4
Little Grebes ...2
Tufted duck....1
Shovelers ....... 75plus
Shell Duck...6
Pintail Duck.......2
Curlew ... 2
GBB Gull.... 1
Gadwall..................4 at least
Grey Heron...1
Mute Swans ..2
Coal /Great/LT/Blue tits small numbers.
GS Woodpecker.... 1
Goldfinch ...small flock
Siskin...1
Nuthatch...1
Geese ...Small flocks of Canada/ Greylag/and Pink Footed Geese over.
...See Afternoon Posting.
Carrion Crow /Jackdaws/BH gulls/Coots
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 9th of November 2011 06:34:10 PM
John
I think the reserve shuts at 5.00pm John, which is probably too early for the egrets to go to roost at the moment. I've seen the GW's from Denhall Lane several times recently, just down the road from the old IMF entrance. Plus you get to see hen harriers, merlins, peregrines, etc. hunting late over the marsh, and the chance of the local barn owl putting in an appearance. I had a se owl there last Saturday (looking west towards Decca Pools) and sometimes see a little owl on the posts beside the footpath to Burton Point to the east.
The GW's have come in quite late when I've been there. Never checked the time but I'd guess at some time after 6.00pm at the moment. Get there earlier though in case I'm wrong!