A visit to the Dee Marshes was delayed on Saturday by horrible weather (see other thread) so I decided the hides at Burton Mere Wetlands would make a good stop off to wait. The Cattle Egret was still on Reception Lagoon (as it always seems to be now!), so a quick look at that and I headed round to Inner Marsh Farm Hide. Here I joined local patcher, Tony, who was also sitting out the weather and checked out the lagoon. I counted at least 7 Little Stints (9 were reported as a max.)and 2 Curlew Sandpipers. A few Ruff were still on the scrape and lots of Snipe, Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits. Tony is expecting the first Jack Snipe back any time soon as Snipe numbers are very high. Again a Marsh Harrier quartered the reedbeds but a Buzzard low over the reception lagoon caused a few mis-IDs as a harrier until folk took a proper look!
As usual a great welcome by all here and sad to say the end of an era, as last Friday was Colin Wells's last day as 'official' Head RSPB Warden of the Dee Estuary inc. Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB. Colin has done a fabulous job, is a great birder and a nice guy, he will be very greatly missed. But the good news is, just like John Wilson at Leighton Moss, Colin can't drag himself away and will be doing some voluntary wardening at Burton Mere Wetlands in the future, so we'll be seeing him for some time to come
Doc Brewster said
Wed Sep 27 10:14 PM, 2017
A brief visit to Burton Mere Wetlands, partially for work, allowed a quick nip around the reserve.
A Cattle Egret showed very well from the reception centre where one Curlew Sandpiper could be seen too. Three more Curlew Sandpipers were on view from the Inner Marsh Farm hide with a Spotted Redshank and four Ruff here too. A couple of Marsh Harriers quartered the reedbeds and a Cetti's Warbler sang in the reeds near the boardwalk to IMF. The whole reception centre was in awe when a Peregrine stooped onto the main scrape and took a Teal off the water in front of us all. Two Swallows also flew through.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 27th of September 2017 10:15:41 PM
John Williams said
Wed Sep 20 7:23 PM, 2017
11.30-15.30
1 Curlew Sandpiper was showing well on the pool in front of the reception area.
Also seen here were 12 Ruff, 1 Knot, 1f Marsh Harrier, 14 Snipe, 1 Cattle Egret and 2 Black Swans.
In front of the former IMF hide were : 1 Spotted Redshank, 40+ Snipe, 9 Golden Plovers, 2 Kestrels, 3 Ravens, 3 Little Grebes and 1 Little Egret.
There was a steady trickle of high flying Swallows above the reserve throughout, all appeared to be heading West.
John Williams said
Sun Sep 3 8:30 PM, 2017
The Pectoral Sandpiper was again showing in front of the visitor centre today, although it often disappears into the vegetation at the back of the main pool.
Also seen here today, 1 Cattle Egret, 1m+1f Marsh Harriers, 1 Greenshank, 3 Egyptian Geese, 9 Ruff, 2 Black Swans and 1 Kestrel.
Amongst the mass of Canada Geese was an adult only Shelduck size, which may just be a feral oddity, but is well worth looking for.
On the saltmarsh viewed from the hill fort were : 2 Great White Egrets, 6 Little Egrets, 1f Marsh Harrier and 1 Peregrine.
A large gathering of Swallows and House Martins flying around the hill fort also held a couple of Sand Martins.
sid ashton said
Sat Sep 2 5:37 PM, 2017
A few hours at BMW and Burton point this morning gave good prolonged views of the juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on the edges of the pool in front of reception. Other species also seen there included:- Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Black Swan, Spotted Redshank, a Cattle Egret and a female Marsh Harrier in dispute with three Buzzards.
Down at Burton point:- a gathering of Swallows, Stonechat, Wheatear, Little Egret, Pied and Yellow Wagtails and several Goldfinches.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Jul 4 4:22 PM, 2017
Five hours on the reserve from 10am in fairly warm but mainly cloudy weather. Fairly 'basic' birds about with nothing too exciting. Highlight was probably a Cuckoo that flew through, observed from the Marsh Covert Hide, where 42 young Little Egret were assembled. The Cattle Egret chick has not yet fledged but both it and the parents couldn't be seen from the viewpoint today. Amongst others :-
Little Grebe Little Egret Grey Heron (6) Mute Swan (2) Barnacle Goose (1) Wigeon (2) Gadwall (4) Teal (1) Shoveler (2) Tufted Duck Buzzard (1) Oystercatcher (c.12) Avocet (69 + chicks) Little Ringed Plover (2) Lapwing Dunlin (1) Black tailed Godwit (c.30) Redshank (7) Green Sandpiper (1) Common Sandpiper (2) Mediterranean Gull (1 + chick) Stock Dove (2) Cuckoo (1) Swift Green Woodpecker (1) Swallow Sedge Warbler (4) Reed Warbler (5) Whitethroat (4) Blackcap (1) Chiffchaff Reed Bunting
Masses of newly fledged Black Headed Gulls, and several large broods of Mallard appear to indicate low predation.
Avocets and Little Egrets also appear to be flourishing, with 40+ of the latter on the marsh in front of the Covert Hide throughout.
-- Edited by John Williams on Saturday 1st of July 2017 08:28:06 PM
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Wed Jun 21 8:17 PM, 2017
Highlights:
Great White Egret 1 from Burton Point. Spoonbill 2...mutual preening going on. Cattle Egret 1 adult seen feeding the young one. Little Egrets Grey Herons
Black-tailed Godwits Redshanks
Mediterranean Gull 1 first Summer(2nd calendar year).
etc.etc.etc.
sid ashton said
Thu Jun 15 3:11 PM, 2017
Three Egret species were seen at BMW this morning; in addition to the plentiful Little Egrets there were two Great Whites present.
Also the Cattle Egret and chick were seen from the newly created viewing area at the end of the track to the Marsh Covert hide, giving closer views than from the IMF hide.
Also present of interest Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern and Spoonbill.
Mike Crawley said
Thu Jun 1 6:40 PM, 2017
John Watson wrote:
RSPB announce breeding Cattle Egrets, viewable at nest distantly from IMF hide
https://twitter.com/rspb_burtonmere?lang=en
Certainly easily visible today.
John Watson said
Wed May 24 10:12 AM, 2017
RSPB announce breeding Cattle Egrets, viewable at nest distantly from IMF hide
https://twitter.com/rspb_burtonmere?lang=en
Mike Chorley said
Mon May 22 12:21 AM, 2017
After a successful visit to Shrewsbury for the Night Heron, Mr Ausberger and I headed back up to Burton Marsh. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper showed well at about middle distance from Marsh Covert Hide on both our visits, looking very smart in the afternoon sun. A Ringed Plover and half a dozen summer plumage Dunlin were scattered among the Godwits and Redshank here. Unfortunately the Cattle Egret chose to fly by the other side of the hide while we were watching the Sandpiper and was lost behind the trees before we could reposition ourselves.
No sign of the Spotted Flycatchers for us but a brace of Great White Egrets were distant but clearly distinguishable out on the marsh towards Burton Point, with a second summer male Marsh Harrier quartering nearer in. A single male Wigeon and at least a couple of Cetti's Warblers provided some interest around the reserve and we were lucky enough to pick out one of the Mediterranean Gulls hunkered down among the nesting Black-headed Gulls just before the visitor centre closed. All in all a pleasant end to a good day.
Rob Smith said
Sat May 20 5:52 PM, 2017
In addition to Buff Breasted Sandpiper & Cattle Egret Mediterranean Gull - adult & an immature Spotted Flycatcher - 2 in small copse on the way to IMF hide Great White Egret - on far pool
Mark Burgess said
Sat May 20 5:29 PM, 2017
Buff breasted Sandpiper showing well and reasonably close in at Marsh Covert Hide early this morning, Also of note a distant Cattle Egret and 4 Cettis Warblers heard singing in different locations
Record Buff breasted Sandpiper Phonescoped image attached.
Being halfway from home towrds Burton Mere RSPB whilst at work yesterday, I couldn't resist popping down after work yesterday. I had been sending customers to see it all day so thought that I may as well go and see it too. I'm glad I did, as having seen double figures in the UK before, being one of the commoner US igrant waders to the UK, but mainly in the SE, I had never seen a Spring bird. This was the brihtest coloured one that I have ever seen and with the most glowing legs too - something I mentioned to Colin Wells, the finder, and he said that was what had struck him when he found it as well As John says not the best photo opportunity, especially looking into the low evening sun as we all were. I say all, but there were only 3 folk in the hide when I arrived, different from the hordes earlier in the day so I was told by RSPB vols and Colin too.
A great bird and still there today as John says, first UK record this Spring and well worth anyone going to see it, especially if you haven't seen the species before.
John Doherty said
Sat May 20 12:23 PM, 2017
Buff Breasted Sandpiper still at a very wet Burton Mere
JOHN TYMON said
Fri May 19 7:10 PM, 2017
Buff-Breasted Sandpiper At work this morning the call came through that a Buff Breasted Sandpiper had arrived at Burton Mere Wetlands on the Wirrall.Having all my gear in the car and the choice between the 21 Miles to Pennington and only 15 Miles to Burton the choice was quickley made and by 12 pm I was heading down to the Gorse covert hide to see this stonking little American Beauty,and soon located it,but as with the Pallid Harrier the other week ,pictures were never going to do it Justice ,it was an absolute cracker and full frame views through my scope are what I bought it for,and it was superb.It was always a bit distant ,so only record shots were ever gained,but it was worth every second taken to see it,and was still showing well when I left at 4pm. Picture Buff-Breasted Sandpiper Burton Mere Wetlands-19.05.2017
Smart looking Buff-breasted Sandpiper still present and showing well from Marsh Covert Hide.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Apr 28 3:48 PM, 2017
Three hours on the reserve this morning from 10am. Weather cool and dry in the main although there was a bit of rain for twenty minutes or so. Amongst others :-
Little Grebe Little Egret Mute Swan Greylag Goose Canada Goose Shelduck Widgeon Gadwall Teal Shoveler Tufted Duck Marsh Harrier (1f) Sparrowhawk (1) Oystercatcher Avocet Lapwing Dunlin (1) Black-tailed Godwit (c.175) Spotted Redshank (3) Common Sandpiper (1) Common Tern (2) Great spotted Woodpecker (1) Cetti's Warbler (1) Grasshopper Warbler (1) Sedge Warbler Reed Warbler Whitethroat Jay
With an afternoon off I headed to the bottom of The Wirral to have a mooch around my favourite local RSPB reserve and catch up with old friends as is always the case here
On arriving in the visitor centre many Avocets were roosting on the main lagoon, not doing a lot, mainly sleeping with heads on backs, but it was a new bird for me for 2017 and one I wouldn't expect in a long time at my patch, Newchurch Common, given its lack of wader habitat! Next I walked along to Bridge Pool and viewed the water there from the screen, and immediately picked up the small, tern-like first-winter Little Gull, which was feeding over the pool and occasionally alighting on it. A pair of Pintail were alos on this pool, it is always a lovely duck to watch, so graceful and elegant. A Cetti's Warbler called from cover here, but never showed itself. Walking back I came across a group of mates and joined them to see a gorgeous Merlin perched on one of the fenceposts not far out on the marsh. Also present were a group of Ruff, already colouring up and starting to display. The skies then went from blue to a dark yellow caste and the rain started. I retreated back to my car as the heavens opened, so I decided to call it a day.
Also Pintail, a couple of Spotted Redshank, a big group of Avocet (all asleep), 2 Sand Martin and plenty of Chiffchaff
Mark Burgess said
Sat Mar 18 11:35 PM, 2017
Morning visit, Highlights
Green Woodpecker Ruff 5 Spotted Redshank 5 Avocet 40+ Pintail Chiffchaff several singing
Chris Harper said
Sun Mar 12 9:22 PM, 2017
Highlights of High Peak RSPB group visit 1-4pm:
3 Cattle Egret, Ruff, 40 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Chiffchaff, Dunlin, 7 Avocet, 100 Fieldfare, 10 Little Egret, Pintail, 1000+ Pink Footed Geese, 5 Common Buzzard, 2 Goldcrest, Green Woodpecker heard.
Rob Smith said
Mon Mar 6 5:07 PM, 2017
Miserable weather but nice to get out for a while & reasonably rewarding on Burton Reserve with
Great White Egret Avocets x 27 Marsh Harrier, female Chiffchaff Cettis Warbler Goldfinch x 40 Goldcrest x 3 plus usual waterfowl & waders
Visit to Denhall area later with good views of Marsh Harrier, Female x 2 Peregrine Falcon, male Buzzard x 2 Kestrel, pair Stonechat, pair White Wagtails x 2 among a group of 10 Pied Wagtails Linnets x 50
Chris Sutton said
Sat Mar 4 5:29 PM, 2017
1:30 - 2:30. Quick passing visit. Highlights; returning Avocets Marsh Harrier Mediterranean Gull - smart bird showing well in front of Main Reception hide. Usuals
Chris
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jan 31 10:13 PM, 2017
Lots of birds at Burton Mere Wetlands on a drizzly day. Dropped in for a short while this morning. The highlights were a couple of Golden Plovers that dropped in on Reception Lagoon island with a large flock of Lapwings. About 20 Dunlin were also loafing amongst this flock too. Two Ruff showed well on the floods from Marsh Covert Hide but no pipits were seen at all much to the disappointment of most folk in the hide. Lots of Siskins were still in the alders around the house area. A female Marsh Harrier was mobbed by corvids as it quartered the reedbeds. Over 60 species in a short visit so not bad at all.
Hazel Rothwell said
Thu Jan 26 9:59 AM, 2017
Wed. 25th Jan 2017
Cattle Egret & Little Egret (outside main reception) G.W.Egret (seen from Hill Fort) Green Woodpecker (along hedgerow near barn feeding area) and also seen by Burton Mere House hedgerow. 5 x raptors: Common Buzzard, Ring-tail Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Kestrel 2 x Ruff & Water Pipit (seen by others outside M.Covert Hide) Other species seen : Lapwing, Shoveler, Tufted Ducks, Wigeon, Teal, Cormorant Gulls: Herring and Black-headed Gull
Reed Bunting, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, G.S.Woodpecker, plus the other regulars.
11am-2pm. Relatively quiet today with no sign of the recently reported lesser spotted woodpecker or green-winged teal. Highlights; Marsh Harrier from reception hide Short-eared Owl from Hill Fort (distant) Great White Egret from Hill Fort Cetti's Warbler heard Stonechat (f), Linnets, Great spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper. A Green Woodpecker was reported by another birder. Raven Ruff (2), Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Golden Plover, and lots of Dunlin from Reception Hide Pintail Distant Mute, Whooper and Bewick Swans from Reception Hide. Plus Usuals Chris
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Wed Jan 18 8:04 PM, 2017
Male Green-winged Teal seen this morning. Also: 1imm Marsh Harrier. Distant Whooper and Bewick's Swans, plus 1 Bewick's on the Reserve. Dunlins. Redshanks. Curlews. Black-tailed Godwits. Common Snipe. 1 Cetti's Warbler heard. Plus all the usual ducks, geese, etc.
Nick Hilton said
Sun Jan 15 6:09 PM, 2017
14/01/17 Stockport Birdwatching Society trip to Parkgate and Burton Wetlands RSPB
Another good trip with highlights at Burton Wetlands RSPB being the male Green-winged Teal (record photo attached), 9 Bewick's Swan, Marsh Harrier and Cetti's Warbler.
After the 'high' tide watch today I nipped into the reserve but it was quiet too, probably due to the extreme winds keeping stuff down. Best sightings were a Great White Egret over on the IMF side, 2 Whooper Swans on Marsh Covert Hide lagoon with 4 Pintail here too and a few Bewicks Swans around the reserve. The usual large swan flock was over near Shotwick Boating Lake, including Whoopers, Bewick's, Mute and Black Swans!!
John Williams said
Sat Jan 7 7:12 PM, 2017
10.30-15.30
RSPB Reserve
1m Hen Harrier, 4f Marsh Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels and 2 Buzzards.
Also 1m Stonechat, 1 Water Rail, 4 Pintails, 40 Dunlin, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Ruff, 4 Snipe, 15 Curlew and 1 Kingfisher.
Saltmarsh (Viewed from the Hill Fort)
1f Hen Harrier, 50+ Pink Footed Geese, 8 Little Egrets and 100+ Canada Geese.
Around 70 swans were on pasture at Shotwick, they appeared to be a mixed flock of Mute and Whoopers, and I could'nt pick out and Bewicks amongst them.
The Water Rail was showing really well in the ditch by the barn, whilst 100+ Linnets perched on nearby bushes, something a Kestrel and a Buzzard showed a keen interest in.
Around 30 Common Gulls were in the roost in front of the reception centre, with lesser numbers of Black Headed and Herring Gulls.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jan 3 11:12 PM, 2017
Burton Mere Wetlands was pretty quiet today and management work round at Inner Marsh Farm hide made it even quieter over there! A Marsh Harrier showed well from the Reception building and a Black-tailed Godwit (just one!) was on the lagoon from Marsh Covert Hide. A nice group of Siskins fed in alders in the house garden too.
Next stop was Neston Old Quay where we saw an additional 5 Marsh Harriers and a ringtail Hen Harrier. A Great White Egret was out on the marsh & later one was in flight, so 1 or 2 individuals were seen. A small flock of Linnets were seen as well as 2 Stock Doves. At Neston Sewage Works a Chiffchaff fed on the filter beds along with a Grey Wagtail and 2 Pied Wagtails but no pipits this time.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 3rd of January 2017 11:17:44 PM
Rob Smith said
Sat Dec 31 2:19 PM, 2016
Apart from the usual birds, Burton Marsh reserve was fairly quiet but of note
Marsh Harrier - 5 (4 females and a male) Water Rail - a very bold (or hungry) bird out on the ice & within 5 metres of the screen Black Swans - 3,<> with Mute, Bewicks & Whooper at the back of the reserve
-- Edited by Rob Smith on Saturday 31st of December 2016 02:21:35 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 31st of December 2016 02:57:06 PM
I popped into here very briefly late morning, whilst dropping something off, and was lucky to watch a ringtail Hen Harrier float over the reeds from the visitor centre spooking all the Lapwings and Dunlin out there. The distant swan flock on Shotwick Fields was scopable for ID purposes, but I popped round into Flintshire for better views (see separate thread).
Curt Whitby said
Sun Dec 4 8:09 PM, 2016
Saw a long eared owl today a couple of hundred yards from the imf hide. It was perfectly and deeply concealed within thick bushes and im thankful to a kind lady who stopped us and asked if we would like to see a long eared owl, of course the answer was YEs!! Never seen on before.
David Ousey said
Wed Nov 30 11:13 PM, 2016
A trip to a place that I always enjoy visiting was on the cards now that the major autumn rush has finally ended. It was to be a solo trip, as the rest of the A team seem to have mothballed their binoculars for the year. A late starting time of 8-30am on a cold, but pleasant (for late November) morning had me at Burton Mere on the Dee estuary by 10-00am. A large group of Whooper Swans were feeding in the distance, but no sign of the almost resident Cattle Egrets. In the reserve centre, news of the Water Pipits was positive so, after meeting up with Kevin Hughes, Bill & Marie from Macclesfield, we made our way out to see them. On the way there a female Hen Harrier was seen and a close Little Egret, good start to the mornings birding. We were soon enjoying views of about 6 Water Pipits in the company of Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails. They kept us entertained, as did Kevin who began speaking welsh when another birding pal Ian Evans from Denbigh walked into the hide. A few old birders tails came out and we all had a good laugh. Myself & Ian walked out up to the old fort lookout over the Dee estuary, by now it was a little cooler but visibility was great with Point of Ayr, Hilbre Island clearly visible. Up to 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 female Hen Harriers, Great White Egret and finally after about 30 minutes, a hunting Short eared Owl, great birds to watch at any time!
We headed back to the reserve centre for a warm up and then I went back to my car to try to find the location of a female Smew on Newchurch Common near Sandiway. It looked a little awkward so I decided to go down onto Denhall Lane and continue watching the Dee estuary. In about an hour, as it was getting cooler as I left, I saw: - 3 Short eared Owl, 1 Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 female Hen Harrier (missed the male Hen Harrier that had been present) 2 Kestrel, missed a perched Merlin. There was a lot of Little Egret`s around, I counted around 20 birds. Headed for home around 3pm enjoying my cars heater all the way!!
David Ousey.
Julian Winstanley said
Mon Nov 28 8:52 AM, 2016
Wonderful morning at Burton Mere on Sunday, omitting the huge list of the more commonbirds, those generating excitment included a green Sandpiper, a couple of Water Pipits, the sight of a Ringtail Hen Harrier seemingly working alongside a male Marsh Harrier to quarter for food, them towards noon the sight of a male Hen Harrier, a lifetime tick for me. Even more exciting was the subsequent sight of the male hen harrier having a small altercation with the male Marsh Harrier!
We went up to Parkgate for the afternoon Raptorwatch with only moderate success - several marsh harriers (mostly female or juvenile), one buzzard, a peregrine who spent most of the afternoon preening on a post without moving, and one ringtail hen harroer
Chris Harper said
Sun Nov 6 8:23 PM, 2016
Super day spent at Burton Mere and Denhall Lane today with High Peak RSPB group . Highlights :
5 Cattle Egret , 2 Short Eared Owl , ringtail Hen Harrier, Peregrine Falcon , Cettis Warbler , Pintail, 4 Great White Egret , 3 Black Swan , 20 Whooper Swan, 100's of Pink Footed Geese, 30 Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Raven, 4 Meadow Pipit, Green Sandpiper , 2 Marsh Harrier , 20 Stock Dove, Stonechat, Great Spotted Woodpecker , 4 Goldcrest, Linnet, 30 Fieldfare.
Plus all the usual species.
steven burke said
Sun Oct 30 9:10 PM, 2016
afternoon visit.
when I first arrived 3 cattle egret were seen in the far field with cattle, 1 on a cow. later on all 5 were in front of reception hide. 1 marsh harrier 1 sparrowhawk 1 garganey 1 cettis warbler, seen briefly only 1 snipe seen 1 ruff black tailed godwit lapwing teal shoveler gadwall wigeon tufted duck lots of pink footed geese moving around. plus usuals.
1 stonechat
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 30th of October 2016 09:24:52 PM
David Morris said
Wed Oct 26 5:59 PM, 2016
5 Cattle Egret still present today (lifer for me), giving great views at one point- all five were stood on one of the islands with a Grey Heron in the middle, looking like the leader of the group! Also got to see where the name Cattle Egret comes from, on two separate occasions one was spotted on top of the grazing cows.
Other species of note: Green Sandpiper Marsh Harrier (two up at once, at one point having a go at each other by the look of things) Ruff
John Williams said
Sun Oct 23 7:36 PM, 2016
11.00-15.00
5 Cattle Egrets and a single Grey Heron were following the cattle around. 2 of the egrets were seen to catch frogs.
Also seen here today: 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Dunlin (+ a flock of around 50 flew low across the reserve), 2 Snipe, 1 Peregrine, 5 Buzzards and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
1 female Marsh Harrier was seen hunting the nearby salt marsh. Several skeins of Pink Footed Geese passed over the reserve and out onto the estuary.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Oct 19 7:18 PM, 2016
Five Cattle Egret present late morning together with one Great White Egret and two Marsh Harrier, amongst others.
steven burke said
Sat Oct 1 10:33 PM, 2016
11.30-6pm a good day in the rain, but i had my brolley with me.
3 little stint 2 curlew sandpiper 2 greenshank 5 ruff 60+ black-tailed godwit at one point I counted 103 snipe but there was still a good amount of them all around. 15+ dunlin 1 cattle egret 1 great white egret 6 black swan lots of teal, pintail, shoveler & lapwings around 1 marsh harrier 1 peregrine falcon 2 sparrowhawk 1 raven 200+ pink footed goose 1 cettis warbler, another 2 heard 3 chiffchaff 2 great spotted woodpecker 3 treecreeper 3 goldcrest few swallow & house martin plus all usuals around
from the viewpoint... 2 great white egret, 1 merlin.
Nev, at least one has overwintered the past 2 years on Burton Marsh, you usually see it towards the Flint Bridge. It usually arrives with the northern swans as far as I can tell.
Nev Wright said
Sat Oct 1 5:22 PM, 2016
Amazed to see 6 Black Swans today at Burton RSPB .... not sure if I'm pleased or not.
Cheers Ian
Cattle Egret 1
Greylag Goose c350
IMF hide:
Greenshank 6+4
Wood Sandpiper 1
Marsh Harrier 1
Kingfisher 1
A single Golden Plover and a couple of Redshank in the Lapwing flock
Uncounted Teal, Wigeon and other waterfowl.
Cheers John
1 cattle egret
Several little egrets scattered around.
9 little stint, 3 from reception, 6 from IMF hide.
2 curlew sandpiper
1 wood sandpiper
1 green sandpiper
20+ golden plover
15+ ruff
2 dunlin
Plenty of lapwings, black tailed godwit, snipe,,few redshank.
1 marsh harrier
1 sparrowhawk
3 kestrels
2-3 kingfishers
Several swallows
Wigeon, teal, mallard, shoveler, gadwall & tufted duck.
Plus usuals around.
A visit to the Dee Marshes was delayed on Saturday by horrible weather (see other thread) so I decided the hides at Burton Mere Wetlands would make a good stop off to wait. The Cattle Egret was still on Reception Lagoon (as it always seems to be now!), so a quick look at that and I headed round to Inner Marsh Farm Hide. Here I joined local patcher, Tony, who was also sitting out the weather and checked out the lagoon. I counted at least 7 Little Stints (9 were reported as a max.)and 2 Curlew Sandpipers. A few Ruff were still on the scrape and lots of Snipe, Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits. Tony is expecting the first Jack Snipe back any time soon as Snipe numbers are very high. Again a Marsh Harrier quartered the reedbeds but a Buzzard low over the reception lagoon caused a few mis-IDs as a harrier until folk took a proper look!
As usual a great welcome by all here and sad to say the end of an era, as last Friday was Colin Wells's last day as 'official' Head RSPB Warden of the Dee Estuary inc. Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB. Colin has done a fabulous job, is a great birder and a nice guy, he will be very greatly missed. But the good news is, just like John Wilson at Leighton Moss, Colin can't drag himself away and will be doing some voluntary wardening at Burton Mere Wetlands in the future, so we'll be seeing him for some time to come
A brief visit to Burton Mere Wetlands, partially for work, allowed a quick nip around the reserve.
A Cattle Egret showed very well from the reception centre where one Curlew Sandpiper could be seen too. Three more Curlew Sandpipers were on view from the Inner Marsh Farm hide with a Spotted Redshank and four Ruff here too. A couple of Marsh Harriers quartered the reedbeds and a Cetti's Warbler sang in the reeds near the boardwalk to IMF. The whole reception centre was in awe when a Peregrine stooped onto the main scrape and took a Teal off the water in front of us all. Two Swallows also flew through.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 27th of September 2017 10:15:41 PM
1 Curlew Sandpiper was showing well on the pool in front of the reception area.
Also seen here were 12 Ruff, 1 Knot, 1f Marsh Harrier, 14 Snipe, 1 Cattle Egret and 2 Black Swans.
In front of the former IMF hide were : 1 Spotted Redshank, 40+ Snipe, 9 Golden Plovers, 2 Kestrels, 3 Ravens, 3 Little Grebes and 1 Little Egret.
There was a steady trickle of high flying Swallows above the reserve throughout, all appeared to be heading West.
Also seen here today, 1 Cattle Egret, 1m+1f Marsh Harriers, 1 Greenshank, 3 Egyptian Geese, 9 Ruff, 2 Black Swans and 1 Kestrel.
Amongst the mass of Canada Geese was an adult only Shelduck size, which may just be a feral oddity, but is well worth looking for.
On the saltmarsh viewed from the hill fort were : 2 Great White Egrets, 6 Little Egrets, 1f Marsh Harrier and 1 Peregrine.
A large gathering of Swallows and House Martins flying around the hill fort also held a couple of Sand Martins.
A few hours at BMW and Burton point this morning gave good prolonged views of the juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on the edges of the pool in front of reception. Other species also seen there included:- Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Black Swan, Spotted Redshank, a Cattle Egret and a female Marsh Harrier in dispute with three Buzzards.
Down at Burton point:- a gathering of Swallows, Stonechat, Wheatear, Little Egret, Pied and Yellow Wagtails and several Goldfinches.
Little Grebe
Little Egret
Grey Heron (6)
Mute Swan (2)
Barnacle Goose (1)
Wigeon (2)
Gadwall (4)
Teal (1)
Shoveler (2)
Tufted Duck
Buzzard (1)
Oystercatcher (c.12)
Avocet (69 + chicks)
Little Ringed Plover (2)
Lapwing
Dunlin (1)
Black tailed Godwit (c.30)
Redshank (7)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Common Sandpiper (2)
Mediterranean Gull (1 + chick)
Stock Dove (2)
Cuckoo (1)
Swift
Green Woodpecker (1)
Swallow
Sedge Warbler (4)
Reed Warbler (5)
Whitethroat (4)
Blackcap (1)
Chiffchaff
Reed Bunting
1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Spoonbill, 1 adult + 1juv Cattle Egret, 7 Redshanks, 2 Buzzards and 1 Kestrel.
Masses of newly fledged Black Headed Gulls, and several large broods of Mallard appear to indicate low predation. Avocets and Little Egrets also appear to be flourishing, with 40+ of the latter on the marsh in front of the Covert Hide throughout.
-- Edited by John Williams on Saturday 1st of July 2017 08:28:06 PM
Highlights:
Great White Egret 1 from Burton Point.
Spoonbill 2...mutual preening going on.
Cattle Egret 1 adult seen feeding the young one.
Little Egrets
Grey Herons
Black-tailed Godwits
Redshanks
Mediterranean Gull 1 first Summer(2nd calendar year).
etc.etc.etc.
Three Egret species were seen at BMW this morning; in addition to the plentiful Little Egrets there were two Great Whites present.
Also the Cattle Egret and chick were seen from the newly created viewing area at the end of the track to the Marsh Covert hide, giving closer views than from the IMF hide.
Also present of interest Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern and Spoonbill.
Certainly easily visible today.
https://twitter.com/rspb_burtonmere?lang=en
No sign of the Spotted Flycatchers for us but a brace of Great White Egrets were distant but clearly distinguishable out on the marsh towards Burton Point, with a second summer male Marsh Harrier quartering nearer in. A single male Wigeon and at least a couple of Cetti's Warblers provided some interest around the reserve and we were lucky enough to pick out one of the Mediterranean Gulls hunkered down among the nesting Black-headed Gulls just before the visitor centre closed. All in all a pleasant end to a good day.
Mediterranean Gull - adult & an immature
Spotted Flycatcher - 2 in small copse on the way to IMF hide
Great White Egret - on far pool
Buff breasted Sandpiper showing well and reasonably close in at Marsh Covert Hide early this morning,
Also of note a distant Cattle Egret and 4 Cettis Warblers heard singing in different locations
Record Buff breasted Sandpiper Phonescoped image attached.
Being halfway from home towrds Burton Mere RSPB whilst at work yesterday, I couldn't resist popping down after work yesterday. I had been sending customers to see it all day so thought that I may as well go and see it too. I'm glad I did, as having seen double figures in the UK before, being one of the commoner US igrant waders to the UK, but mainly in the SE, I had never seen a Spring bird. This was the brihtest coloured one that I have ever seen and with the most glowing legs too - something I mentioned to Colin Wells, the finder, and he said that was what had struck him when he found it as well
As John says not the best photo opportunity, especially looking into the low evening sun as we all were. I say all, but there were only 3 folk in the hide when I arrived, different from the hordes earlier in the day so I was told by RSPB vols and Colin too.
A great bird and still there today as John says, first UK record this Spring and well worth anyone going to see it, especially if you haven't seen the species before.
Buff-Breasted Sandpiper
At work this morning the call came through that a Buff Breasted Sandpiper had arrived at Burton Mere Wetlands on the Wirrall.Having all my gear in the car and the choice between the 21 Miles to Pennington and only 15 Miles to Burton the choice was quickley made and by 12 pm I was heading down to the Gorse covert hide to see this stonking little American Beauty,and soon located it,but as with the Pallid Harrier the other week ,pictures were never going to do it Justice ,it was an absolute cracker and full frame views through my scope are what I bought it for,and it was superb.It was always a bit distant ,so only record shots were ever gained,but it was worth every second taken to see it,and was still showing well when I left at 4pm.
Picture Buff-Breasted Sandpiper Burton Mere Wetlands-19.05.2017
Little Grebe
Little Egret
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Shelduck
Widgeon
Gadwall
Teal
Shoveler
Tufted Duck
Marsh Harrier (1f)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Oystercatcher
Avocet
Lapwing
Dunlin (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.175)
Spotted Redshank (3)
Common Sandpiper (1)
Common Tern (2)
Great spotted Woodpecker (1)
Cetti's Warbler (1)
Grasshopper Warbler (1)
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Whitethroat
Jay
Sand Martin 3
Blackcap 2 singing.
Cetti's Warbler 1 singing.
Ruff 1
Spotted Redshank 1
Mediterranean Gull 1 1st winter.
Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks, etc.etc.etc.
With an afternoon off I headed to the bottom of The Wirral to have a mooch around my favourite local RSPB reserve and catch up with old friends as is always the case here
On arriving in the visitor centre many Avocets were roosting on the main lagoon, not doing a lot, mainly sleeping with heads on backs, but it was a new bird for me for 2017 and one I wouldn't expect in a long time at my patch, Newchurch Common, given its lack of wader habitat! Next I walked along to Bridge Pool and viewed the water there from the screen, and immediately picked up the small, tern-like first-winter Little Gull, which was feeding over the pool and occasionally alighting on it. A pair of Pintail were alos on this pool, it is always a lovely duck to watch, so graceful and elegant. A Cetti's Warbler called from cover here, but never showed itself. Walking back I came across a group of mates and joined them to see a gorgeous Merlin perched on one of the fenceposts not far out on the marsh. Also present were a group of Ruff, already colouring up and starting to display. The skies then went from blue to a dark yellow caste and the rain started. I retreated back to my car as the heavens opened, so I decided to call it a day.
Little Gull still showing well.
Also Pintail, a couple of Spotted Redshank, a big group of Avocet (all asleep), 2 Sand Martin and plenty of Chiffchaff
Green Woodpecker
Ruff 5
Spotted Redshank 5
Avocet 40+
Pintail
Chiffchaff several singing
Highlights of High Peak RSPB group visit 1-4pm:
3 Cattle Egret, Ruff, 40 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Chiffchaff, Dunlin, 7 Avocet, 100 Fieldfare, 10 Little Egret, Pintail, 1000+ Pink Footed Geese, 5 Common Buzzard, 2 Goldcrest, Green Woodpecker heard.
Great White Egret
Avocets x 27
Marsh Harrier, female
Chiffchaff
Cettis Warbler
Goldfinch x 40
Goldcrest x 3
plus usual waterfowl & waders
Visit to Denhall area later with good views of
Marsh Harrier, Female x 2
Peregrine Falcon, male
Buzzard x 2
Kestrel, pair
Stonechat, pair
White Wagtails x 2 among a group of 10 Pied Wagtails
Linnets x 50
returning Avocets
Marsh Harrier
Mediterranean Gull - smart bird showing well in front of Main Reception hide.
Usuals
Chris
Lots of birds at Burton Mere Wetlands on a drizzly day. Dropped in for a short while this morning. The highlights were a couple of Golden Plovers that dropped in on Reception Lagoon island with a large flock of Lapwings. About 20 Dunlin were also loafing amongst this flock too. Two Ruff showed well on the floods from Marsh Covert Hide but no pipits were seen at all much to the disappointment of most folk in the hide. Lots of Siskins were still in the alders around the house area. A female Marsh Harrier was mobbed by corvids as it quartered the reedbeds. Over 60 species in a short visit so not bad at all.
Cattle Egret & Little Egret (outside main reception) G.W.Egret (seen from Hill Fort)
Green Woodpecker (along hedgerow near barn feeding area) and also seen by Burton Mere House hedgerow.
5 x raptors: Common Buzzard, Ring-tail Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Kestrel
2 x Ruff & Water Pipit (seen by others outside M.Covert Hide)
Other species seen : Lapwing, Shoveler, Tufted Ducks, Wigeon, Teal, Cormorant
Gulls: Herring and Black-headed Gull
Reed Bunting, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, G.S.Woodpecker, plus the other regulars.
Marsh Harrier from reception hide
Short-eared Owl from Hill Fort (distant)
Great White Egret from Hill Fort
Cetti's Warbler heard
Stonechat (f), Linnets, Great spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper. A Green Woodpecker was reported by another birder.
Raven
Ruff (2), Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Golden Plover, and lots of Dunlin from Reception Hide
Pintail
Distant Mute, Whooper and Bewick Swans from Reception Hide.
Plus Usuals
Chris
Also:
1imm Marsh Harrier.
Distant Whooper and Bewick's Swans, plus 1 Bewick's on the Reserve.
Dunlins.
Redshanks.
Curlews.
Black-tailed Godwits.
Common Snipe.
1 Cetti's Warbler heard.
Plus all the usual ducks, geese, etc.
Another good trip with highlights at Burton Wetlands RSPB being the male Green-winged Teal (record photo attached), 9 Bewick's Swan, Marsh Harrier and Cetti's Warbler.
After the 'high' tide watch today I nipped into the reserve but it was quiet too, probably due to the extreme winds keeping stuff down. Best sightings were a Great White Egret over on the IMF side, 2 Whooper Swans on Marsh Covert Hide lagoon with 4 Pintail here too and a few Bewicks Swans around the reserve. The usual large swan flock was over near Shotwick Boating Lake, including Whoopers, Bewick's, Mute and Black Swans!!
RSPB Reserve
1m Hen Harrier, 4f Marsh Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels and 2 Buzzards.
Also 1m Stonechat, 1 Water Rail, 4 Pintails, 40 Dunlin, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Ruff, 4 Snipe, 15 Curlew and 1 Kingfisher.
Saltmarsh (Viewed from the Hill Fort)
1f Hen Harrier, 50+ Pink Footed Geese, 8 Little Egrets and 100+ Canada Geese.
Around 70 swans were on pasture at Shotwick, they appeared to be a mixed flock of Mute and Whoopers, and I could'nt pick out and Bewicks amongst them.
The Water Rail was showing really well in the ditch by the barn, whilst 100+ Linnets perched on nearby bushes, something a Kestrel and a Buzzard showed a keen interest in.
Around 30 Common Gulls were in the roost in front of the reception centre, with lesser numbers of Black Headed and Herring Gulls.
Burton Mere Wetlands was pretty quiet today and management work round at Inner Marsh Farm hide made it even quieter over there! A Marsh Harrier showed well from the Reception building and a Black-tailed Godwit (just one!) was on the lagoon from Marsh Covert Hide. A nice group of Siskins fed in alders in the house garden too.
Next stop was Neston Old Quay where we saw an additional 5 Marsh Harriers and a ringtail Hen Harrier. A Great White Egret was out on the marsh & later one was in flight, so 1 or 2 individuals were seen. A small flock of Linnets were seen as well as 2 Stock Doves. At Neston Sewage Works a Chiffchaff fed on the filter beds along with a Grey Wagtail and 2 Pied Wagtails but no pipits this time.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 3rd of January 2017 11:17:44 PM
Marsh Harrier - 5 (4 females and a male)
Water Rail - a very bold (or hungry) bird out on the ice & within 5 metres of the screen
Black Swans - 3,<> with Mute, Bewicks & Whooper at the back of the reserve
-- Edited by Rob Smith on Saturday 31st of December 2016 02:21:35 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 31st of December 2016 02:57:06 PM
I popped into here very briefly late morning, whilst dropping something off, and was lucky to watch a ringtail Hen Harrier float over the reeds from the visitor centre spooking all the Lapwings and Dunlin out there. The distant swan flock on Shotwick Fields was scopable for ID purposes, but I popped round into Flintshire for better views (see separate thread).
A trip to a place that I always enjoy visiting was on the cards now that the major autumn rush has finally ended. It was to be a solo trip, as the rest of the A team seem to have mothballed their binoculars for the year. A late starting time of 8-30am on a cold, but pleasant (for late November) morning had me at Burton Mere on the Dee estuary by 10-00am. A large group of Whooper Swans were feeding in the distance, but no sign of the almost resident Cattle Egrets. In the reserve centre, news of the Water Pipits was positive so, after meeting up with Kevin Hughes, Bill & Marie from Macclesfield, we made our way out to see them. On the way there a female Hen Harrier was seen and a close Little Egret, good start to the mornings birding. We were soon enjoying views of about 6 Water Pipits in the company of Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails. They kept us entertained, as did Kevin who began speaking welsh when another birding pal Ian Evans from Denbigh walked into the hide. A few old birders tails came out and we all had a good laugh. Myself & Ian walked out up to the old fort lookout over the Dee estuary, by now it was a little cooler but visibility was great with Point of Ayr, Hilbre Island clearly visible. Up to 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 female Hen Harriers, Great White Egret and finally after about 30 minutes, a hunting Short eared Owl, great birds to watch at any time!
We headed back to the reserve centre for a warm up and then I went back to my car to try to find the location of a female Smew on Newchurch Common near Sandiway. It looked a little awkward so I decided to go down onto Denhall Lane and continue watching the Dee estuary. In about an hour, as it was getting cooler as I left, I saw: - 3 Short eared Owl, 1 Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 female Hen Harrier (missed the male Hen Harrier that had been present) 2 Kestrel, missed a perched Merlin. There was a lot of Little Egret`s around, I counted around 20 birds. Headed for home around 3pm enjoying my cars heater all the way!!
David Ousey.
We went up to Parkgate for the afternoon Raptorwatch with only moderate success - several marsh harriers (mostly female or juvenile), one buzzard, a peregrine who spent most of the afternoon preening on a post without moving, and one ringtail hen harroer
Super day spent at Burton Mere and Denhall Lane today with High Peak RSPB group . Highlights :
5 Cattle Egret , 2 Short Eared Owl , ringtail Hen Harrier, Peregrine Falcon , Cettis Warbler , Pintail, 4 Great White Egret , 3 Black Swan , 20 Whooper Swan, 100's of Pink Footed Geese, 30 Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Raven, 4 Meadow Pipit, Green Sandpiper , 2 Marsh Harrier , 20 Stock Dove, Stonechat, Great Spotted Woodpecker , 4 Goldcrest, Linnet, 30 Fieldfare.
Plus all the usual species.
when I first arrived 3 cattle egret were seen in the far field with cattle, 1 on a cow. later on all 5 were in front of reception hide.
1 marsh harrier
1 sparrowhawk
1 garganey
1 cettis warbler, seen briefly
only 1 snipe seen
1 ruff
black tailed godwit
lapwing
teal
shoveler
gadwall
wigeon
tufted duck
lots of pink footed geese moving around.
plus usuals.
1 stonechat
-- Edited by steven burke on Sunday 30th of October 2016 09:24:52 PM
Other species of note:
Green Sandpiper
Marsh Harrier (two up at once, at one point having a go at each other by the look of things)
Ruff
5 Cattle Egrets and a single Grey Heron were following the cattle around. 2 of the egrets were seen to catch frogs.
Also seen here today: 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Dunlin (+ a flock of around 50 flew low across the reserve), 2 Snipe, 1 Peregrine, 5 Buzzards and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
1 female Marsh Harrier was seen hunting the nearby salt marsh. Several skeins of Pink Footed Geese passed over the reserve and out onto the estuary.
3 little stint
2 curlew sandpiper
2 greenshank
5 ruff
60+ black-tailed godwit
at one point I counted 103 snipe but there was still a good amount of them all around.
15+ dunlin
1 cattle egret
1 great white egret
6 black swan
lots of teal, pintail, shoveler & lapwings around
1 marsh harrier
1 peregrine falcon
2 sparrowhawk
1 raven
200+ pink footed goose
1 cettis warbler, another 2 heard
3 chiffchaff
2 great spotted woodpecker
3 treecreeper
3 goldcrest
few swallow & house martin
plus all usuals around
from the viewpoint... 2 great white egret, 1 merlin.
Amazed to see 6 Black Swans today at Burton RSPB .... not sure if I'm pleased or not.
Little Stint and Cattle Egret notables