Female Merlin perched on top of trees at the visitor centre giving some superb views 3 Great white Egret on Burton Marsh 1000+ Pink-footed Geese on the marsh 3 Spotted Redshank 3 Ruff 30 Black tailed Godwit Plenty Avocet 6 Goldeneye
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Mar 24 6:11 PM, 2016
Around four hours on both the reserve and the estuary today in dull and dismal weather, light rain and quite blustery. Not too bad but certainly been busier, amongst others :-
Little Grebe (1) Little Egret (c.50) Great White Egret (1) Pink footed Goose (c.30) Greylag Goose Wigeon Gadwall Teal Shoveler Hen Harrier (2 r/t) Buzzard Kestrel Oystercatcher Avocet (51) Black tailed Godwit (37) Lapwing Skylark Wheatear (3) Cetti's Warbler (1) Chiffchaff (2) Reed Bunting
M Gannon said
Sat Mar 5 5:50 PM, 2016
Highlights from 14:00-16:45 this afternoon
1 short eared owl (from imf hide around 16:00 1 great white egret on marsh from burton point 1 marsh harrier 1 barnacle goose from reception hide 25 avocets 600 black tailed godwits 2 buzzard 2 kestrel
Mark Burgess said
Sat Jan 30 4:58 PM, 2016
10.00 till 12.00 Highlights,
Spotted Redshank 3 Redshank 11 Black Tailed Godwit c25 Dunlin 9 Pintail single drake, First one I've seen this year usually a lot more about the Wirrel Water Rail Wigeon c50 Kingfisher, perched high up in tall reeds Nuthatch 2
Paul Richardson said
Sat Jan 23 10:44 PM, 2016
Lovely light this morning on the Wirral but the Long Eared Owl had gone AWOL and was not to be seen - at least in the morning.
Otherwise was nice to get a fairly close view of quite a few Golden Plover in among the Lapwing from the main hide.
Sean Sweeney said
Wed Jan 20 1:58 PM, 2016
Thanks for the replies John and Simon, I was by no means criticising the management of the entire reserve, as it has always been and will into the future be an excellent place for all manner of birds for birders from beginners and old hats too!? I was also present at the reserve about an hour prior to high tide on Sunday, so it certainly does not correlate with your own suggestion of birds being out on the Marsh either (though some may have been no doubt). I was merely offering an observation and trying to ascertain through discussion what the reasons might be for the older part of the reserve, which is the original set of pools/scrapes (not the new pools/scrapes near the centre), experiencing far less bird activity in the last few years. I don't think I am alone in thinking that that area seems to be far less attractive to waders and waterfowl alike, as it used to be where most of the activity was, as my previous e-mail explained. Perhaps it might be different this weekend after a spell of cold weather, but I'm not convinced, as most of the islands and shoreline around the pools is now vegetated and not as appealing to waders, whilst I can only imagine that perhaps the pools themselves have silted up, so less diving birds??
Maybe best to catch up with Colin himself and ask him heh!?
Simon Gough said
Wed Jan 20 11:53 AM, 2016
I can see both sides of this discussion, as I had thought the main pools down at Inner Marsh were a bit quiet on the last couple of visits, but equally the reserve as a whole is in rude health. Thanks Jonathan for the tip, I will do that next time I'm over there I think.
John Watson said
Wed Jan 20 7:55 AM, 2016
Apologies, of course it's Colin Wells !! I've corrected the original
Jonathan Platt said
Tue Jan 19 7:13 PM, 2016
However, there is a big area away to the right of the Hide, beyond the end of the path, which seems less manicured to me. I have no idea what is over there but I have a feeling it was more visible some time ago, by looking out of the hide from the narrow side, if that makes sense? I have only been visiting for a couple of years so I don't know if you could ever push on to explore that bit of the reserve or not? I have seen swans and geese over there in the past but they are distant and the view is not clear due to lots of vegetation. That's the Border Pool Simon. The path ends at IMF hide, there's no access beyond. To go any further would disturb all the birds on that side of the reserve. If you want to view Border Pool and the fields beyond the main scrape walk along the footpath/cycle track from Denhall Lane - well worth the short walk.
I think Sean's correct, the old IMF site has been poor for birds for several months. I'm sure this isn't a deliberate ploy however - why would it be so? I'm sure matters are in hand.
There were 22 Bewick's swans way out on Burton Marsh on Sunday (not really visible from Burton Point), highest count I've had this winter.
Simon Gough said
Tue Jan 19 6:12 PM, 2016
John Watson wrote:
Sean, the site is extremely well managed by Colin Davies & his team.
That's why previous reports listed good numbers of waders & duck species, appropriate for the time of year.
It looks like you visited late morning at low tide, when most birds are out on the marshes.
The recent couple of months of unseasonally mild & very wet weather will have made this site (and other NW sites) "problematic" to manage
I thought Colin Wells was the Site Manager for Burton Mere and the Dee reserves. I was also a bit unclear about which area Sean was referring to in his post. I know there is tangible management work done on the area right in front of the Inner Marsh Farm hide, because last year there were Water Rails showing well in the gaps that had been deliberately made in the reeds around the main pool. However, there is a big area away to the right of the Hide, beyond the end of the path, which seems less manicured to me. I have no idea what is over there but I have a feeling it was more visible some time ago, by looking out of the hide from the narrow side, if that makes sense? I have only been visiting for a couple of years so I don't know if you could ever push on to explore that bit of the reserve or not? I have seen swans and geese over there in the past but they are distant and the view is not clear due to lots of vegetation.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Jan 19 4:51 PM, 2016
Three and a half hours on the reserve from mid day, weather dry, cloudy, fine and quite cold. Primarily went for the Long eared Owl which, as it turned out, had decided to 'do one' for the day, so no sightings of it at all despite some searching. Spent half an hour at the watch point overlooking Burton Marsh. Amongst others :-
Little Egret Great White Egret (1) Bewick's Swan (3) Greylag Goose Wigeon (c.50) Teal ('000s) Pintail (1) Shoveler (c.35) Marsh Harrier (2) Kestrel (1) Water Rail (1) Golden Plover (c.12) Dunlin (c.200) Black tailed Godwit (c.20) Redshank (c.50) Green Woodpecker (1)
John Watson said
Tue Jan 19 9:04 AM, 2016
Sean, the site is extremely well managed by Colin Wells & his team.
That's why previous reports listed good numbers of waders & duck species, appropriate for the time of year.
It looks like you visited late morning at low tide, when most birds are out on the marshes.
The recent couple of months of unseasonally mild & very wet weather will have made this site (and other NW sites) "problematic" to manage
(edited to correct site manager as Colin Wells)
-- Edited by John Watson on Wednesday 20th of January 2016 07:54:57 AM
Sean Sweeney said
Mon Jan 18 12:38 PM, 2016
Popped in late in the day myself after pottering elsewhere all day. Beautiful viewing of the Long-eared Owl here as described in posts below, magic really and the best I've seen it here since it returned.
Other birds I noted late in the afternoon were a Water Rail close in, Marsh Harrier over the reeds, a pair of Peregrine chasing about together and four Ruff on the scrape in front of the hide.
On visiting the reserve on a more regular basis now since moving back to Chester it is notable that there is a void of birds on the pools and vegetated land that were once the old inner marsh farm site. I'm not sure if the land is being deliberately managed to reduce the number of waders and waterfowl, but there were no waders at all and only two mallard on the entire site!? This is in complete contrast to the site prior to the new centre opening up, when waders, geese, dabbling ducks and diving ducks alike were common place?! I would be interested in knowing what has happened here and if there are any plans on managing the site at all (i.e. to create scrapes again?) or just simply leaving it to silt up and re-vegetate!?
steven burke said
Sun Jan 17 7:44 PM, 2016
after not seeing the long eared owl on my last visit took a chance today & paid of very nicely indeed, just like marc says the long eared owl was giving brilliant views, plenty of pics taken
100+ black tailed godwit, 13 redshank, 2 dunlin, 1 snipe, lots of teal around, wigeon, shoveler, 2 gadwall, 4 tufted duck, 1 little grebe, hundreds of lapwings with several golden plover amongst them.
1 great spotted woodpecker, 1 nuthatch, 2 treecreeper, 1 sparrowhawk, 11 linnet, 19 siskin giving very close views, water rail heard.
burton marsh I counted 97 swans... 7 bewick swan, 48 whooper swan, 41 mute swan, 1 black swan. 2 hen harrier ringtail, 1 great white egret.
M Gannon said
Sun Jan 17 4:52 PM, 2016
By counting the times I went last year, I have gone to Burton mere for the roosting Long eared owl 3 times in the past, but on none of those occasions did it show well. Last time it was just a view of it flying from one tree to another, and the other two it was well hidden and could just about be seen. Today though, the bird was giving brilliant views, more or less right out in the open, in a tree near the bridge on the path to the Inner marsh farm hide. Because it was finally showing well, I was finally able to get the views and pictures I've always wanted from this species.
Also around:
A large flock of swans on Burton marsh from the viewpoint that contained 3 Bewick's, 20 Whooper, 40 Mute and 1 Black swan 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Great white egret on Burton marsh 30 Siskin 2 Ruff 60 Golden plover 2 Dunlin 2 Stonechat
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jan 14 10:27 PM, 2016
With a sunyy afternoon at last coinciding with a day off I popped down & got some nice pics of the Long-eared Owl. It was tucked low & deeper in the bush than I had hoped with plenty of bits of vegetation between me & it, but with a bit of manoeuvring (me not the owl!!) I managed a passable few shots! As the first there since everyone else had left I managed to relocate it pretty quickly & show at least a dozen folk, who arrived later, the owl in the scope
A Great White Egret was showing from the visitor centre too but with viewing directly into the sun the views were not the best in the world. Still, not a bad hours nip out in the courtesy car whilst mine is being mended
Chris Harper said
Sun Jan 10 8:01 PM, 2016
Highlights of trip with High Peak rspb group from 1-3
Excellent views of the Long Eared Owl including it preening at one poin( track to Inner Marsh Farm hide).
From Burton Point: Great White Egret, 2 Short Eared Owl, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon , Merlin, 2 Black Swan(Whooper and Bewicks seen earlier in day by a member doing Webs count).
From main hide were usual waders with Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, Lapwing. Put up regularly by 2 Peregrine Falcon over at same time.
Elsewhere on reserve many Fieldfare and Redwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker,14 Little Egret in same field and a Little Grebe.
steven burke said
Sun Jan 3 8:41 PM, 2016
had a visit here from around 2.30pm
no sign of the long eared owl in its usual tree & could not find it elsewhere.
1 marsh harrier, 9 little egret, 5 snipe, 1 little grebe, 2 nuthatch, 1 treecreeper.
plenty of lapwing around, several black tailed godwit & few redshank
teal were spread out in different areas, the ones I did look through did not have the green-winged teal with them.
3 water rails, one in flight near the screen, one swimming across the water at the screen, another feeding at inner marsh hide.
distant whooper swans, light was poor to find a bewicks.
Mark Burgess said
Sat Jan 2 8:06 PM, 2016
A very wet couple of hours spent at the reserve, Highlights
Long-eared Owl, In a similar spot to last year Marsh Harrier Linnet flock c60 Stonechat Good numbers of Black tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe, Wigeon and Teal
M Gannon said
Tue Dec 29 4:09 PM, 2015
1 green winged teal (I was near the inner marsh hide when another birder appeared and asked me whether I had seen the green winged teal that had just showed up at the reception hide. Encouraged by the fact that there was practically nothing at the IMF hide I hurried back to reception to see it. The bird had gone missing before I arrived and a sparrowhawk passing by meant that I couldn't just scan the area it had last been seen as all the ducks flew up. However, someone refound the bird in a different part of the scrape. I managed to see the bird well through the scope for ten minutes. A lifer for me. 1 long eared owl (the bird had apparently disappeared further into the trees before I arrived, and no one was able to see it. However, to my surprise, the bird suddenly flew out of the tree and moved into a different tree, once again hiding where it couldn't be seen
2 marsh harrier 1 water rail 1 green sandpiper 4 ruff 3 snipe 1 kestrel 200 black tailed godwit
steven burke said
Sat Dec 12 11:10 PM, 2015
long eared owl showed well in the usual spot. water rail from the screen 2 kingfisher 3 little egret, one of them feeding in the brook below the owl. several teal, wigeon & shoveler 2 Egyptian geese flew in as I arrived. cettis warbler heard.
Hazel Rothwell said
Tue Dec 8 10:53 AM, 2015
Monday 7th Dec.2015 9am - 2.30pm bright day, little wind till mid afternoon
main highlight being the Long-eared owl showing reasonably well on way to IMF hide (same area as last season - several metres after the wooden bridge, railway side)
Bridge Pool screen: single Curlew Marsh Covert Hide area: Kestrel (m) 2 x Snipe, Buzzard, GSWoodpecker, 1 x Cetti's Warbler (heard), Little Egret in flight, Marsh Harrier quartering and later perched on metal farm gate far field (seen from Reception area) Crop field: Flock of 100+ Linnet over crop field, Rooks, 5 Bullfinch, lesser Redpoll, usual Dunnock, Robins, Blackbirds Hill fort area: 5 Pied Wagtails, 2 Mistle Thrush, B.H.Gulls, Starling flock, Rook x 2 Burton Mere: 2 Kingfishers , 3 Cormorant, Mallards, Coot, Moorhen Reception area: 4 Black Swans Bunker Hide: pair of Stonechat in reed mace, another sighting of the Marsh Harrier (distant) Water Rail on far bank Barn feeders: mainly Greenfinch, Goldfinch but no sign of the Brambling
Andy Voisey said
Sat Dec 5 9:28 AM, 2015
Quick visit friday after trip to west kirby marine lake to see the red-throated diver. Highlights were :- Long eared Owl in bushes about 100 m from Inner Marsh Farm Hide. 2 x Kingfisher Water rail.
Called in to Woolston Eyes on way home to see brambling at Morgan Hide.
All in all a good day out adding 4 birds to the year list
-- Edited by Andy Voisey on Saturday 5th of December 2015 09:33:14 AM
John Williams said
Fri Nov 20 3:15 PM, 2015
10.30-14.00
1f Marsh Harrier, 1m Sparrowhawk, 1m Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl.
On the specially seeded field at Inner Marsh Farm were a flock of 100+ Linnets.
Hazel Rothwell said
Thu Nov 19 8:26 PM, 2015
9.00am - 12.30pm
Main highlights today ....
Inner Marsh Farm: 1 x Merlin, 1 x Curlew Sandpiper, 1 x Common Buzzard, mix of Lapwing, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits, etc.
Hill Fort area: 15 + Pied Wagtails on the pasture, 1 x Jay, flock of Linnets (another reliable birder told me he saw 3 x Black Swans towards the Estuary)
Bridge Pool area: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 male Kestrel, Single Wigeon mixed with Shelducks, Shovelers and Teal.
The sad news was hearing that a Short-eared Owl that frequented the screen near bridge pool area was found dead yesterday, rspb staff thought probably due to starvation. I had photographed this Owl three days ago (on Monday 16th Nov) at the same spot it was found dead and also where it tended to roost. Link to photos I took on Monday for anyone interested: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128754406@N03/
Burton Mere: 1 Little Egret on the lilypads, 2 x Cormorant in trees behind the Mere, flock of Long Tailed Tits, a male Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Reception hide: 1 x Peregrine, 1 x Merlin, 1 Water Rail
-- Edited by Hazel Rothwell on Thursday 19th of November 2015 08:29:34 PM
Lawrence Hindley said
Mon Nov 16 5:31 PM, 2015
1.00-3.30pm today
2 Short Eared Owls (superb views at very close quarters) 1 Brambling 1 Marsh Harrier (f) 50+ Linnet 3 Redshank 3 Ruff
Vicky Harper said
Sun Nov 8 7:51 PM, 2015
9.15-11.15 with High Peak RSPB
3+ Marsh Harrier Curlew Sandpiper Green Sandpiper Great White Egret 7 Knot 5 Little Egret Great Spotted Woodpecker 20+ Black-tailed Godwit 7 Snipe 7 Golden Plover 2 Raven Peregrine 30 Linnet 6 Whooper Swan Cettis Warbler calling.
-- Edited by Vicky Sumner on Sunday 8th of November 2015 07:54:17 PM
Phil Hampson said
Tue Nov 3 11:25 PM, 2015
1 Jack Snipe again from the reedbed screen, plus 2 common Snipe. Was very difficult indeed though, scope needed.
1 male Brambling feeding below the feeders nearest the VC.
Phil
Simon Gough said
Tue Nov 3 2:20 PM, 2015
Don't forget Paul, 2 more for that year-list too! Well done!
Paul Richardson said
Mon Nov 2 7:22 PM, 2015
A short drop-in to this reserve in relatively dense fog this morning gave me TWO very satisfying lifetime ticks - the Jack Snipe at the reedbed screen (thanks to the helpful scope owners!) and a Curlew Sandpiper from the visitor centre. There was a very active Marsh Harrier hunting in the mist - difficult conditions for it and for us birders!
Good call though!
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Oct 31 9:11 PM, 2015
Originally posted today by Dave Ousey:
I had been keeping my eyes on the birds that have been occurring at Burton Mere Reserve, Wirral throughout the week. It`s only a good hour from Rochdale and with having no football to go to (Dale@ Southend) decided that a trip was needed. Just a solo effort was made and I arrived at 11am on a very nice autumn day. After speaking to the very helpful staff at the reserve a walk down to a screened off area was made and a nice Jack Snipe was eventually located. It put its head up and had a "bob" around for a short while, I did not see the other Jack Snipe or Goshawk that had been seen earlier. Back at the reserve headquarters a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper had come out of hiding and showed fairly well mixed in with Black tailed Godwits and some Knot. Its 2 years since I have seen a Curlew Sandpiper ,so, I spent a good 20 minutes admiring it. There were around 5000 Teal on the reserve also Pintail, Shoveler and Mallard. A flock of 300+ Pink Footed Geese were also seen and reminded me of the approach of winter! Three Black Swan`s then flew from the estuary area and landed on the reserve, really nice birds to watch in flight. The reserve has transformed access to all area`s including Inner Marsh Farm and is well worth a visit. I was told of a goodvantage point to look out over the Dee Estuary for birds of prey etc. It is called Hillfort and is reached over the railway bridge that we used to pass on the way down to the hide at Inner Marsh Farm. The view over the estuary was quite good and further improved as the sun came out. Three ringtail Hen Harrier`s were seen first, all having a right go at a Marsh Harrier, good for size comparison. About 3 Short Eared Owl`s were also out hunting the still fairly well flooded marsh area after two recenthigh tides, always nice to watch these graceful birds. A Great White Egret along with 2 Little Egret`s, 4 Whooper and 3 Bewick`s Swan`s were also on the marsh. A Green Sandpiper was first heard then seen and along with Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel made up a good hour at a new vantage point. I could have stayed a little longer it was so nice, but like we say all good things have to end. Got home by 4pm.
No sign of the spotted crake at burton mere today despite spending an hour and a half at the reedbed screen. It was apparently very elusive today, but still quite disappointing not to see it . Didn't see the pectoral sandpiper either, though that wasn't as disappointed since I saw it a couple of weeks ago
Best sighting was of a bird related to the crake, a water rail. While I was watching the reedbed screen for the crake, the water rail walked only yards in front of the hide, in plain view. An absolutely fantastic view of the species that (almost) consoles me after missing the crake Full roundup:
1 water rail 2 Cetti's warbler (also at reedbed screen while looking for the crake, gave some pretty decent views and sung almost constantly) 1 marsh harrier 2 sparrow hawk 2 little stint 35 golden Plover 3 ruff 1 kestrel 2 treecreeper 3 reed bunting 1 whooper swan (flew along back of reedbed 1500 pink footed geese 3 lesser redpoll
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Oct 15 8:39 PM, 2015
Another visit today as the Pectoral Sandpiper was still in residence. It was proving elusive but we finally came up trumps on our second visit of the day to the Reception Hide. The bird showed a bit of activity for ten or fifteen minutes close to the vegetation at the far right hand side. Amongst others :-
Pectoral Sandpiper (1), Ruff (1), Little Stint (2), Golden Plover, Black tailed Godwit (c.50), Snipe, Lapwing, Water Rail (1), Cetti's Warbler (1-2), Teal, Pintail, Pink footed Goose (c.500), Greylag Goose, Marsh Harrier (2).
No luck with the Spotted Crake unfortunately after a couple of separate viewings by the screen. It had been seen early morning but that appeared to be it.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Friday 16th of October 2015 08:29:54 AM
John Watson said
Sun Oct 11 9:59 AM, 2015
Yesterday (Sat), no sign of Spotted Crake at screen looking left, last seen ~2pm. Someone pointed out that it favours having a little wander early afternoon most days, so that might be the best chance.
However, a brief Kingfisher there was nice, and another heard from the ramp near the pools; also Water Rail heard there.
Little Stint from reception, asleep (reported as the Pectoral Sand, which is mobile & elusive)
One observer had a Yellow-Browed Warbler above the car park at 11am, not seen since but there's a report of it being heard from the screen later, with the large flock of Goldcrests & various Tits - couldn't find it myself despite a hard search
-- Edited by John Watson on Sunday 11th of October 2015 10:17:47 AM
Mark Burgess said
Sat Oct 10 10:14 PM, 2015
9.30-12.00 Highlights
Pectoral Sandpiper Little Stint 5 Golden Plover 32 Ruff 4 Black Tailed Godwit c80 Common Snipe c25 Cettis Warbler, heard only Marsh Harrier
Keith Williams said
Fri Oct 9 10:37 AM, 2015
7th - Spotted Crake showing very well at reed bed screen, rubbish light for a photo. 2 x little Stint at IMF and Great White Egret in the fields in front of the main hide.
M Gannon said
Sat Oct 3 5:25 PM, 2015
1 pectoral sandpiper (bird showed well but distantly on the right side of the scrape after a few fleeting glimpses of it moving through the reeds) 1 marsh harrier (completely emptied the IMF hide scrape as it passed over) 1 peregrine 3 little stint 1 snipe 5 ruff (including a female with a very bad limp) 13 black tailed godwit 1 nuthatch 3 jay 400 pink footed geese 5000 teal 150 pintail 8 shoveler 100 greylag geese
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Sep 30 4:50 PM, 2015
Called in here en route to Denall Lane area with news of yesterday's Pectoral Sandpiper. Apparently it had been seen first thing from the Reception Hide but then disappeared into the vegetation to the left of the bay. Consequently it wasn't seen by virtually all present, me included. Still around were a Little Stint (1), Ruff (1), Black tailed Godwit (c.25), Teal ('00s), Marsh Harrier (1), Raven (3) and Pink footed Goose (6) amongst others. Called back at the reserve mid afternoon for a second attempt for the Sandpiper but no luck.
Simon Gough said
Tue Sep 29 9:41 PM, 2015
After the high tide it was time for Steve Burke and I to try and add to the year-list with a reported Pectoral Sandpiper at Burton Mere. I'd almost forgotten there were other places to go birding after a first trip to Spurn this weekend, but the reserve ended up almost casually delivering some excellent birds.
On the Main Scrape were 2 Little Stint showing well, but no Pec Sand. Bah! We went to Inner Marsh to look for it and picked up a Great White Egret, which flew off a few minutes after arriving. What a stunner at that range! I spotted a Water Rail very briefly and there were 3 Snipe right in front of the hide, which were gorgeous. We'd seen a Jack Snipe at similar range the day before, it was a nice coincidence. Walking back round we heard a spritely Cetti's Warbler in the reeds. It sounded about 20 feet away but might as well have been on Mars for all the chance we had to see it!
When we got back round to the Main Scrape we were delighted to discover the Pectoral Sandpiper had been re-found, showing distantly and in unhelpful light, so we got no decent view of plumage other than simple tones of light and dark. Lucky the defining feature is a shallow V of dark against light then! They were tickable views as they say, but no better.
Looking around the scrape again with a bit more care we saw single Spotted Redshank and Greenshank as well as the usuals, plus a Marsh Harrier over the reeds at the back, which I suspect was the same juvenile bird as the one on the marsh.
So it was a cracking session in the end, all the more so as we met fellow Manchester Birder Chris Sutton and ended up covering the reserve with him. Great to meet you mate!
Mark Burgess said
Sat Sep 19 8:46 PM, 2015
9.15-12.00pm Highlights
Little Stint at Inner Marsh Hide Ruff 4 Snipe 6 Black Tailed Godwit Great Spotted Woodpecker Treecreeper Raven 2
Still good numbers of Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff around
John Watson said
Sun Sep 13 7:05 PM, 2015
From IMF hide, well worth the walk:
1 Curlew Sandpiper 1 Little Stint (also one reported from reception at same time) 2 Spotted Redshank 3+ Snipe 13 Ruff 1+ Dunlin 2 Little Egret 1 Marsh Harrier (f, 2cy ?) upsetting everything 1 Kingfisher (heard only) 1 Green Woodpecker (heard only) sev Buzzard 30+ Swallow 2+ House Martin sev Black-Tailed Godwit sev Chiffchaff calling but not seen 1 Kestrel
1 very long Common Lizard, usual place
Numerous Teal (worth checking for GW Teal ...) Many Canada Geese, Greylag
-- Edited by John Watson on Sunday 13th of September 2015 07:06:58 PM
Rob Creek said
Mon Aug 31 9:05 PM, 2015
Just to add to yesterday's sightings...
1 Canada Goose seen from viewing screen near the boardwalk. It had a pure white face and looked very unusual. Steve said a Barnacle Goose was reported yesterday in the sightings book and we wondered if that's what was seen? Could've been a Barnacle Goose present but we didn't see one.
Rob Creek said
Mon Aug 31 11:18 AM, 2015
Sunday afternoon with Steve B and Simon G.
- lots of usuals including masses of Ganada Geese - few Cormorant - Little Grebe - 1 - Lapwing - Black-tailed Godwit - Green Sandpiper - 2 flying around calling, seen numerous times - Dunlin - 4 total - Curlew Sandpiper - 1 juv at IMF Hide - Ruff - 20+ - Common Snipe - at least 8 - Water Rail - 1 at IMF Hide - Little Egret - 1 - Grey Heron - 4 - Kestrel - 2 - Common Buzzard - few Stock Doves - plenty of Swallows about - some Linnets around
...and of note a couple of groups of smaller birds moving through the hedges. 1 group included a family of Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 2 Chiffchaff and what looked like a female Whitethroat. The other group near IMF Hide included Blue Tits, Great Tits, at least 4 Chiffchaff including a very dull brown individual, 1 Willow Warbler, and Blackcaps including a male and presumably a female (or young male???) Masses of Midge's around and they were all feeding well.
M Gannon said
Sun Aug 23 4:54 PM, 2015
Some nice birds at burton mere this afternoon, with the waders the stars of the show:
1 little stint 1 curlew sandpiper 6 greenshank 6 green sandpiper 18 ruff 4 Dunlin 15 black tailed godwit 16 snipe 2 water rail 4 buzzard 1 kestrel 1 greater spotted woodpecker 1 nuthatch
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Fri Aug 21 2:26 PM, 2015
Highlights from a visit Thursday, August 20th.
Little Stint 1 Ruff 15 Snipe 5+ Dunlin 1 Spotted Flycatcher 1 Treecreeper 2 Nuthatch 2 Swift 4...distant, over Wales. Yellow Wagtail 1
M Gannon said
Mon Aug 3 6:56 PM, 2015
Today 11:30- 3:30
Hobby Sparrowhawk Common sandpiper Ruff- 8 Whitethroat- 6 Mute swan with 4 cygnets Little grebes with chick Dunlin- 35 Snipe- 5 Black tailed godwit- 200
Rob Creek said
Mon Aug 3 6:13 PM, 2015
A late visit around 5pm yesterday with Steve and Simon.
Of note... -usual Waterfowl -Mute Swan -Greylag Geese -Canada Geese -Pintail -Teal -Gadwall -Black-tailed Godwit - lots around -Little Ringed Plover - both young ones -Lapwing -Oystercatcher -Dunlin - 1 then a small group behind -Common Snipe - 5 -Ruff - few knocking about -Redshank -Water Rail - 1 juv showing on and off at reeds edge -Common Buzzard - 2 -Stock Dove - quite a few around -Woodpigeon -Rooks -Jackdaws -Common Swift -Swallows -Sand Martin -Treecreeper - 1 in car park -Yellow Wagtail - 2 -Pied Wagtail - 1 -Linnet -Goldfinch -Chaffinch -Greenfinch - heard only
A cracking day in all but Hilbre took the limelight out of Burton in my view!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 3rd of August 2015 06:23:00 PM
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Thu Jul 23 2:28 PM, 2015
Oops. Also forgot 3 Ruff.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Wed Jul 22 8:54 PM, 2015
A good variety of wadery-type birds today.
Dunlin 7 Redshank 1 Golden Plover 1 juv. Little Ringed Plover 4 Common Sandpiper 2 Green Sandpiper 1 Spotted Redshank 3 with 1 in summer plumage. Black-tailed Godwit 150+ Snipe 1 Water Rail 1 Little Egret 47+ Avocet 1ad and 2 juv. Common Tern 2ads and 1 juv. Grey Heron 5+ Lapwings
Female Merlin perched on top of trees at the visitor centre giving some superb views
3 Great white Egret on Burton Marsh
1000+ Pink-footed Geese on the marsh
3 Spotted Redshank
3 Ruff
30 Black tailed Godwit
Plenty Avocet
6 Goldeneye
Little Grebe (1)
Little Egret (c.50)
Great White Egret (1)
Pink footed Goose (c.30)
Greylag Goose
Wigeon
Gadwall
Teal
Shoveler
Hen Harrier (2 r/t)
Buzzard
Kestrel
Oystercatcher
Avocet (51)
Black tailed Godwit (37)
Lapwing
Skylark
Wheatear (3)
Cetti's Warbler (1)
Chiffchaff (2)
Reed Bunting
1 short eared owl (from imf hide around 16:00
1 great white egret on marsh from burton point
1 marsh harrier
1 barnacle goose from reception hide
25 avocets
600 black tailed godwits
2 buzzard
2 kestrel
Spotted Redshank 3
Redshank 11
Black Tailed Godwit c25
Dunlin 9
Pintail single drake, First one I've seen this year usually a lot more about the Wirrel
Water Rail
Wigeon c50
Kingfisher, perched high up in tall reeds
Nuthatch 2
Otherwise was nice to get a fairly close view of quite a few Golden Plover in among the Lapwing from the main hide.
Thanks for the replies John and Simon, I was by no means criticising the management of the entire reserve, as it has always been and will into the future be an excellent place for all manner of birds for birders from beginners and old hats too!? I was also present at the reserve about an hour prior to high tide on Sunday, so it certainly does not correlate with your own suggestion of birds being out on the Marsh either (though some may have been no doubt). I was merely offering an observation and trying to ascertain through discussion what the reasons might be for the older part of the reserve, which is the original set of pools/scrapes (not the new pools/scrapes near the centre), experiencing far less bird activity in the last few years. I don't think I am alone in thinking that that area seems to be far less attractive to waders and waterfowl alike, as it used to be where most of the activity was, as my previous e-mail explained. Perhaps it might be different this weekend after a spell of cold weather, but I'm not convinced, as most of the islands and shoreline around the pools is now vegetated and not as appealing to waders, whilst I can only imagine that perhaps the pools themselves have silted up, so less diving birds??
Maybe best to catch up with Colin himself and ask him heh!?
That's the Border Pool Simon. The path ends at IMF hide, there's no access beyond. To go any further would disturb all the birds on that side of the reserve. If you want to view Border Pool and the fields beyond the main scrape walk along the footpath/cycle track from Denhall Lane - well worth the short walk.
I think Sean's correct, the old IMF site has been poor for birds for several months. I'm sure this isn't a deliberate ploy however - why would it be so? I'm sure matters are in hand.
There were 22 Bewick's swans way out on Burton Marsh on Sunday (not really visible from Burton Point), highest count I've had this winter.
I thought Colin Wells was the Site Manager for Burton Mere and the Dee reserves. I was also a bit unclear about which area Sean was referring to in his post. I know there is tangible management work done on the area right in front of the Inner Marsh Farm hide, because last year there were Water Rails showing well in the gaps that had been deliberately made in the reeds around the main pool. However, there is a big area away to the right of the Hide, beyond the end of the path, which seems less manicured to me. I have no idea what is over there but I have a feeling it was more visible some time ago, by looking out of the hide from the narrow side, if that makes sense? I have only been visiting for a couple of years so I don't know if you could ever push on to explore that bit of the reserve or not? I have seen swans and geese over there in the past but they are distant and the view is not clear due to lots of vegetation.
Little Egret
Great White Egret (1)
Bewick's Swan (3)
Greylag Goose
Wigeon (c.50)
Teal ('000s)
Pintail (1)
Shoveler (c.35)
Marsh Harrier (2)
Kestrel (1)
Water Rail (1)
Golden Plover (c.12)
Dunlin (c.200)
Black tailed Godwit (c.20)
Redshank (c.50)
Green Woodpecker (1)
That's why previous reports listed good numbers of waders & duck species, appropriate for the time of year.
It looks like you visited late morning at low tide, when most birds are out on the marshes.
The recent couple of months of unseasonally mild & very wet weather will have made this site (and other NW sites) "problematic" to manage (edited to correct site manager as Colin Wells)
-- Edited by John Watson on Wednesday 20th of January 2016 07:54:57 AM
Popped in late in the day myself after pottering elsewhere all day. Beautiful viewing of the Long-eared Owl here as described in posts below, magic really and the best I've seen it here since it returned.
Other birds I noted late in the afternoon were a Water Rail close in, Marsh Harrier over the reeds, a pair of Peregrine chasing about together and four Ruff on the scrape in front of the hide.
On visiting the reserve on a more regular basis now since moving back to Chester it is notable that there is a void of birds on the pools and vegetated land that were once the old inner marsh farm site. I'm not sure if the land is being deliberately managed to reduce the number of waders and waterfowl, but there were no waders at all and only two mallard on the entire site!? This is in complete contrast to the site prior to the new centre opening up, when waders, geese, dabbling ducks and diving ducks alike were common place?! I would be interested in knowing what has happened here and if there are any plans on managing the site at all (i.e. to create scrapes again?) or just simply leaving it to silt up and re-vegetate!?
after not seeing the long eared owl on my last visit took a chance today & paid of very nicely indeed, just like marc says the long eared owl was giving brilliant views, plenty of pics taken
100+ black tailed godwit, 13 redshank, 2 dunlin, 1 snipe, lots of teal around, wigeon, shoveler, 2 gadwall, 4 tufted duck, 1 little grebe, hundreds of lapwings with several golden plover amongst them.
1 great spotted woodpecker, 1 nuthatch, 2 treecreeper, 1 sparrowhawk, 11 linnet, 19 siskin giving very close views, water rail heard.
burton marsh I counted 97 swans... 7 bewick swan, 48 whooper swan, 41 mute swan, 1 black swan. 2 hen harrier ringtail, 1 great white egret.
Also around:
A large flock of swans on Burton marsh from the viewpoint that contained 3 Bewick's, 20 Whooper, 40 Mute and 1 Black swan
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Great white egret on Burton marsh
30 Siskin
2 Ruff
60 Golden plover
2 Dunlin
2 Stonechat
With a sunyy afternoon at last coinciding with a day off I popped down & got some nice pics of the Long-eared Owl. It was tucked low & deeper in the bush than I had hoped with plenty of bits of vegetation between me & it, but with a bit of manoeuvring (me not the owl!!) I managed a passable few shots! As the first there since everyone else had left I managed to relocate it pretty quickly & show at least a dozen folk, who arrived later, the owl in the scope
A Great White Egret was showing from the visitor centre too but with viewing directly into the sun the views were not the best in the world. Still, not a bad hours nip out in the courtesy car whilst mine is being mended
Highlights of trip with High Peak rspb group from 1-3
Excellent views of the Long Eared Owl including it preening at one poin( track to Inner Marsh Farm hide).
From Burton Point: Great White Egret, 2 Short Eared Owl, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon , Merlin, 2 Black Swan(Whooper and Bewicks seen earlier in day by a member doing Webs count).
From main hide were usual waders with Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, Lapwing. Put up regularly by 2 Peregrine Falcon over at same time.
Elsewhere on reserve many Fieldfare and Redwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker,14 Little Egret in same field and a Little Grebe.
had a visit here from around 2.30pm
no sign of the long eared owl in its usual tree & could not find it elsewhere.
1 marsh harrier, 9 little egret, 5 snipe, 1 little grebe, 2 nuthatch, 1 treecreeper.
plenty of lapwing around, several black tailed godwit & few redshank
teal were spread out in different areas, the ones I did look through did not have the green-winged teal with them.
3 water rails, one in flight near the screen, one swimming across the water at the screen, another feeding at inner marsh hide.
distant whooper swans, light was poor to find a bewicks.
Long-eared Owl, In a similar spot to last year
Marsh Harrier
Linnet flock c60
Stonechat
Good numbers of Black tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe, Wigeon and Teal
1 long eared owl (the bird had apparently disappeared further into the trees before I arrived, and no one was able to see it. However, to my surprise, the bird suddenly flew out of the tree and moved into a different tree, once again hiding where it couldn't be seen
2 marsh harrier
1 water rail
1 green sandpiper
4 ruff
3 snipe
1 kestrel
200 black tailed godwit
water rail from the screen
2 kingfisher
3 little egret, one of them feeding in the brook below the owl.
several teal, wigeon & shoveler
2 Egyptian geese flew in as I arrived.
cettis warbler heard.
main highlight being the Long-eared owl showing reasonably well on way to IMF hide (same area as last season - several metres after the wooden bridge, railway side)
Bridge Pool screen: single Curlew
Marsh Covert Hide area: Kestrel (m) 2 x Snipe, Buzzard, GSWoodpecker, 1 x Cetti's Warbler (heard), Little Egret in flight, Marsh Harrier quartering and later perched on metal farm gate far field (seen from Reception area)
Crop field: Flock of 100+ Linnet over crop field, Rooks, 5 Bullfinch, lesser Redpoll, usual Dunnock, Robins, Blackbirds
Hill fort area: 5 Pied Wagtails, 2 Mistle Thrush, B.H.Gulls, Starling flock, Rook x 2
Burton Mere: 2 Kingfishers , 3 Cormorant, Mallards, Coot, Moorhen
Reception area: 4 Black Swans
Bunker Hide: pair of Stonechat in reed mace, another sighting of the Marsh Harrier (distant) Water Rail on far bank
Barn feeders: mainly Greenfinch, Goldfinch but no sign of the Brambling
Highlights were :-
Long eared Owl in bushes about 100 m from Inner Marsh Farm Hide.
2 x Kingfisher
Water rail.
Called in to Woolston Eyes on way home to see brambling at Morgan Hide.
All in all a good day out adding 4 birds to the year list
-- Edited by Andy Voisey on Saturday 5th of December 2015 09:33:14 AM
10.30-14.00
1f Marsh Harrier, 1m Sparrowhawk, 1m Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl.
On the specially seeded field at Inner Marsh Farm were a flock of 100+ Linnets.
Main highlights today ....
Inner Marsh Farm: 1 x Merlin, 1 x Curlew Sandpiper, 1 x Common Buzzard, mix of Lapwing, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits, etc.
Hill Fort area: 15 + Pied Wagtails on the pasture, 1 x Jay, flock of Linnets (another reliable birder told me he saw 3 x Black Swans towards the Estuary)
Bridge Pool area: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 male Kestrel, Single Wigeon mixed with Shelducks, Shovelers and Teal.
The sad news was hearing that a Short-eared Owl that frequented the screen near bridge pool area was found dead yesterday, rspb staff thought probably due to starvation. I had photographed this Owl three days ago (on Monday 16th Nov) at the same spot it was found dead and also where it tended to roost. Link to photos I took on Monday for anyone interested: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128754406@N03/
Burton Mere: 1 Little Egret on the lilypads, 2 x Cormorant in trees behind the Mere, flock of Long Tailed Tits, a male Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Reception hide: 1 x Peregrine, 1 x Merlin, 1 Water Rail
-- Edited by Hazel Rothwell on Thursday 19th of November 2015 08:29:34 PM
2 Short Eared Owls (superb views at very close quarters)
1 Brambling
1 Marsh Harrier (f)
50+ Linnet
3 Redshank
3 Ruff
3+ Marsh Harrier
Curlew Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper
Great White Egret
7 Knot
5 Little Egret
Great Spotted Woodpecker
20+ Black-tailed Godwit
7 Snipe
7 Golden Plover
2 Raven
Peregrine
30 Linnet
6 Whooper Swan
Cettis Warbler calling.
-- Edited by Vicky Sumner on Sunday 8th of November 2015 07:54:17 PM
1 Jack Snipe again from the reedbed screen, plus 2 common Snipe. Was very difficult indeed though, scope needed.
1 male Brambling feeding below the feeders nearest the VC.
Phil
Good call though!
I had been keeping my eyes on the birds that have been occurring at Burton Mere Reserve, Wirral throughout the week. It`s only a good hour from Rochdale and with having no football to go to (Dale@ Southend) decided that a trip was needed. Just a solo effort was made and I arrived at 11am on a very nice autumn day. After speaking to the very helpful staff at the reserve a walk down to a screened off area was made and a nice Jack Snipe was eventually located. It put its head up and had a "bob" around for a short while, I did not see the other Jack Snipe or Goshawk that had been seen earlier. Back at the reserve headquarters a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper had come out of hiding and showed fairly well mixed in with Black tailed Godwits and some Knot. Its 2 years since I have seen a Curlew Sandpiper ,so, I spent a good 20 minutes admiring it. There were around 5000 Teal on the reserve also Pintail, Shoveler and Mallard. A flock of 300+ Pink Footed Geese were also seen and reminded me of the approach of winter! Three Black Swan`s then flew from the estuary area and landed on the reserve, really nice birds to watch in flight. The reserve has transformed access to all area`s including Inner Marsh Farm and is well worth a visit. I was told of a good vantage point to look out over the Dee Estuary for birds of prey etc. It is called Hillfort and is reached over the railway bridge that we used to pass on the way down to the hide at Inner Marsh Farm. The view over the estuary was quite good and further improved as the sun came out. Three ringtail Hen Harrier`s were seen first, all having a right go at a Marsh Harrier, good for size comparison. About 3 Short Eared Owl`s were also out hunting the still fairly well flooded marsh area after two recent high tides, always nice to watch these graceful birds. A Great White Egret along with 2 Little Egret`s, 4 Whooper and 3 Bewick`s Swan`s were also on the marsh. A Green Sandpiper was first heard then seen and along with Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel made up a good hour at a new vantage point. I could have stayed a little longer it was so nice, but like we say all good things have to end. Got home by 4pm.
Dave O.
Merlin
Peregrine
Curlew Sandpiper 1 juvinile
Ruff 5
Golden Plover 4
Snipe 8
Best sighting was of a bird related to the crake, a water rail. While I was watching the reedbed screen for the crake, the water rail walked only yards in front of the hide, in plain view. An absolutely fantastic view of the species that (almost) consoles me after missing the crake
Full roundup:
1 water rail
2 Cetti's warbler (also at reedbed screen while looking for the crake, gave some pretty decent views and sung almost constantly)
1 marsh harrier
2 sparrow hawk
2 little stint
35 golden Plover
3 ruff
1 kestrel
2 treecreeper
3 reed bunting
1 whooper swan (flew along back of reedbed
1500 pink footed geese
3 lesser redpoll
Another visit today as the Pectoral Sandpiper was still in residence. It was proving elusive but we finally came up trumps on our second visit of the day to the Reception Hide. The bird showed a bit of activity for ten or fifteen minutes close to the vegetation at the far right hand side. Amongst others :-
Pectoral Sandpiper (1), Ruff (1), Little Stint (2), Golden Plover, Black tailed Godwit (c.50), Snipe, Lapwing, Water Rail (1), Cetti's Warbler (1-2), Teal, Pintail, Pink footed Goose (c.500), Greylag Goose, Marsh Harrier (2).
No luck with the Spotted Crake unfortunately after a couple of separate viewings by the screen. It had been seen early morning but that appeared to be it.
-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Friday 16th of October 2015 08:29:54 AM
However, a brief Kingfisher there was nice, and another heard from the ramp near the pools; also Water Rail heard there.
Little Stint from reception, asleep (reported as the Pectoral Sand, which is mobile & elusive)
One observer had a Yellow-Browed Warbler above the car park at 11am, not seen since but there's a report of it being heard from the screen later, with the large flock of Goldcrests & various Tits - couldn't find it myself despite a hard search
-- Edited by John Watson on Sunday 11th of October 2015 10:17:47 AM
Pectoral Sandpiper
Little Stint 5
Golden Plover 32
Ruff 4
Black Tailed Godwit c80
Common Snipe c25
Cettis Warbler, heard only
Marsh Harrier
1 marsh harrier (completely emptied the IMF hide scrape as it passed over)
1 peregrine
3 little stint
1 snipe
5 ruff (including a female with a very bad limp)
13 black tailed godwit
1 nuthatch
3 jay
400 pink footed geese
5000 teal
150 pintail
8 shoveler
100 greylag geese
On the Main Scrape were 2 Little Stint showing well, but no Pec Sand. Bah! We went to Inner Marsh to look for it and picked up a Great White Egret, which flew off a few minutes after arriving. What a stunner at that range! I spotted a Water Rail very briefly and there were 3 Snipe right in front of the hide, which were gorgeous. We'd seen a Jack Snipe at similar range the day before, it was a nice coincidence. Walking back round we heard a spritely Cetti's Warbler in the reeds. It sounded about 20 feet away but might as well have been on Mars for all the chance we had to see it!
When we got back round to the Main Scrape we were delighted to discover the Pectoral Sandpiper had been re-found, showing distantly and in unhelpful light, so we got no decent view of plumage other than simple tones of light and dark. Lucky the defining feature is a shallow V of dark against light then! They were tickable views as they say, but no better.
Looking around the scrape again with a bit more care we saw single Spotted Redshank and Greenshank as well as the usuals, plus a Marsh Harrier over the reeds at the back, which I suspect was the same juvenile bird as the one on the marsh.
So it was a cracking session in the end, all the more so as we met fellow Manchester Birder Chris Sutton and ended up covering the reserve with him. Great to meet you mate!
Little Stint at Inner Marsh Hide
Ruff 4
Snipe 6
Black Tailed Godwit
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Treecreeper
Raven 2
Still good numbers of Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff around
1 Curlew Sandpiper
1 Little Stint (also one reported from reception at same time)
2 Spotted Redshank
3+ Snipe
13 Ruff
1+ Dunlin
2 Little Egret
1 Marsh Harrier (f, 2cy ?) upsetting everything
1 Kingfisher (heard only)
1 Green Woodpecker (heard only)
sev Buzzard
30+ Swallow
2+ House Martin
sev Black-Tailed Godwit
sev Chiffchaff calling but not seen
1 Kestrel
1 very long Common Lizard, usual place
Numerous Teal (worth checking for GW Teal ...)
Many Canada Geese, Greylag
-- Edited by John Watson on Sunday 13th of September 2015 07:06:58 PM
1 Canada Goose seen from viewing screen near the boardwalk. It had a pure white face and looked very unusual. Steve said a Barnacle Goose was reported yesterday in the sightings book and we wondered if that's what was seen?
Could've been a Barnacle Goose present but we didn't see one.
- lots of usuals including masses of Ganada Geese
- few Cormorant
- Little Grebe - 1
- Lapwing
- Black-tailed Godwit
- Green Sandpiper - 2 flying around calling, seen numerous times
- Dunlin - 4 total
- Curlew Sandpiper - 1 juv at IMF Hide
- Ruff - 20+
- Common Snipe - at least 8
- Water Rail - 1 at IMF Hide
- Little Egret - 1
- Grey Heron - 4
- Kestrel - 2
- Common Buzzard
- few Stock Doves
- plenty of Swallows about
- some Linnets around
...and of note a couple of groups of smaller birds moving through the hedges.
1 group included a family of Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 2 Chiffchaff and what looked like a female Whitethroat.
The other group near IMF Hide included Blue Tits, Great Tits, at least 4 Chiffchaff including a very dull brown individual, 1 Willow Warbler, and Blackcaps including a male and presumably a female (or young male???)
Masses of Midge's around and they were all feeding well.
1 little stint
1 curlew sandpiper
6 greenshank
6 green sandpiper
18 ruff
4 Dunlin
15 black tailed godwit
16 snipe
2 water rail
4 buzzard
1 kestrel
1 greater spotted woodpecker
1 nuthatch
Little Stint 1
Ruff 15
Snipe 5+
Dunlin 1
Spotted Flycatcher 1
Treecreeper 2
Nuthatch 2
Swift 4...distant, over Wales.
Yellow Wagtail 1
Hobby
Sparrowhawk
Common sandpiper
Ruff- 8
Whitethroat- 6
Mute swan with 4 cygnets
Little grebes with chick
Dunlin- 35
Snipe- 5
Black tailed godwit- 200
Of note...
-usual Waterfowl
-Mute Swan
-Greylag Geese
-Canada Geese
-Pintail
-Teal
-Gadwall
-Black-tailed Godwit - lots around
-Little Ringed Plover - both young ones
-Lapwing
-Oystercatcher
-Dunlin - 1 then a small group behind
-Common Snipe - 5
-Ruff - few knocking about
-Redshank
-Water Rail - 1 juv showing on and off at reeds edge
-Common Buzzard - 2
-Stock Dove - quite a few around
-Woodpigeon
-Rooks
-Jackdaws
-Common Swift
-Swallows
-Sand Martin
-Treecreeper - 1 in car park
-Yellow Wagtail - 2
-Pied Wagtail - 1
-Linnet
-Goldfinch
-Chaffinch
-Greenfinch - heard only
A cracking day in all but Hilbre took the limelight out of Burton in my view!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 3rd of August 2015 06:23:00 PM
Dunlin 7
Redshank 1
Golden Plover 1 juv.
Little Ringed Plover 4
Common Sandpiper 2
Green Sandpiper 1
Spotted Redshank 3 with 1 in summer plumage.
Black-tailed Godwit 150+
Snipe 1
Water Rail 1
Little Egret 47+
Avocet 1ad and 2 juv.
Common Tern 2ads and 1 juv.
Grey Heron 5+
Lapwings
etc.etc.etc.