Some of the post from yesterday's sightings didn't post!
-Lots of Swallows over the reserve including over the field towards the old barn behind reception. One particular adult feeding its young with in-flight food passes to its well grown young, really good close up views. -quite a few House Martins -small number of Common Swift -1 Nuthatch near the car park -1 Reed Bunting -yet again no luck with the Little Owl, and Steve made me laugh when he said 'I've never seen it here, yet!'
Rob Creek said
Mon Jul 13 6:10 PM, 2015
Sunday 12th July A mid afternoon visit here with Steve Burke after the Red-footed Falcon in Staffordshire.
Birds of note... -3 Spotted Redshank - a Lifer for me for summer plumage phase (Also 1 infront of reception later on that could've been 1 of the 3) -3 Avocet -lots of Black-tailed Godwit -2 Whimbrel over, their bill looked almost straight with curved end -plenty of Redshank -lots of Lapwing -4 or 5 Little Ringed Plover -5 or 6 Dunlin -3 Ruff -1 Common Sandpiper on far bank infront of reception -1 pair of Wigeon which I didn't expect at all -few Common Teal around too -2 Northern Shoveler (also 2 flying through) -Tufted Duck -Gadwall -lots of Little Egret trrrri including 46 in one of the roosting trees -2 Grey Heron -1 Common Tern that covered pretty much most of the reserve -plenty of Sedge Warbler activity -plenty of Whitethroat around too -2 Chiffchaff -1 Blackcap -few Wrens around -lots of Goldfinch -young Chaffinches -few Linnet -1 Stock Dove -2 Collared Dove -lots of Woodpigeon -1 Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeders -Green Woodpecker heard only -plenty of usual Corvids, Waterbirds, Garden Birds, and Gulls.
sid ashton said
Sat Jul 4 11:14 AM, 2015
No news so far John in fact it was reported to have flown off towards the estuary shortly after I left yesterday evening.
JOHN TYMON said
Sat Jul 4 9:41 AM, 2015
Any reports of the gull billed tern today?
sid ashton said
Fri Jul 3 10:39 PM, 2015
After spending an hour and a half on the car park known as the M56 arrived at BMW at 7pm. I was told by a mate in the IMF hide that the Gull-billed Tern was still present. On my way round to the hide another call - "it's flown" - as luck would have it the bird had joined in with some Gulls flying around the crop field to the right of the path up towards the old reception buildings. This gave myself and another birder excellent flight views as it circled before returning to the island in front of the hide were it remained until I left at about 8.30pm.
Other species of note:- Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Avocet and Green Woodpecker.
Tom Jones said
Fri Jul 3 5:18 PM, 2015
Hi Paul, the Gull-Billed Tern, arrived at the Inner Marsh Hide at 1400hrs to day, I thought it was a sandwich Tern, but was informed it was the gull billed tern. so a lifer for me with out knowing it.
It was still there when I left Burton at 1600hrs.
paul brady said
Fri Jul 3 5:10 PM, 2015
Not sure if everyone has heard but a gull-billed tern is/was present on the reception pool this afternoon. Spoke with staff who say the reserve will be open to c9pm
Joel Tragen said
Sun Jun 7 9:34 PM, 2015
Spent the day mostly at the reception and the little owl view point with my best pal, Elliot Montieth Highlights were: 1 male yellow wagtail BRITISH LIFER (which landed in the field with cattle in it near the barn where the little owls are) 1 1st-2nd summer Mediterranean gull ( it was hard to tell because all I could see was half its head and half its wings. 2 common tern fishing on the meres 2 reed warblers singing in the reeds next to the feeders + one very vocal bird from bunker hide/screen which eluded us. 7 whitethroats (5 from the the little owl view point and two where the sand martin wall is.) 3 lapwing on nests with 2 young 2 redshank 300+ black tailed godwit 50+ avocets with 20+ young little grebe at the very front of the hide I was pretty certain I had seen a greenshank at the muddy bay at the back but before elliot could get onto it, it had wandering into a tall marshy reedy area.
While we were there someone said they had a silver studded blue butterfly but after checking all of the blues in the area it had been sighted minuted before we only found commons.
Mark Burgess said
Mon Apr 6 7:01 PM, 2015
Burton Mere Wetlands 9.15 13.30 43 species seen highlights,
Little Owl Avocet 50+ Ruff 2 Black Tailed Godwit c120, Many in summer breeding plumage Swallow 15 Chiffchaff, many sing around the reserve Green Woodpecker heard only
Neil McCall said
Sun Mar 1 9:48 PM, 2015
Saturday 28 February, 10.30-11.30
Long-Eared Owl visible in bramble bush just before IMF hide.
Hen Harrier (at a distance) from visitor centre, with Pintail close up.
Stonechat from Marsh Covert Hide.
Andrew Mitchell said
Sun Feb 15 8:28 PM, 2015
Long Eared Owl still roosting up to about 4:30. Only things I can add to other reports are some Redshank and Black-Tailed Godwits from Reception Hide, and a Song Thrush fully living up to its name quite close to the owl's roost site.
Patrick Earith said
Sun Feb 15 6:17 PM, 2015
To add to Tony's report, single Spotted Redshank from IMF hide and a female Marsh Harrier just over Denhall Lane
Tony Coatsworth said
Sun Feb 15 5:23 PM, 2015
Long-eared Owl showed well today.
Also ring-tailed Hen Harrier, Stonechats, and 28 Curlew behind the car park
M Gannon said
Sat Feb 14 8:49 PM, 2015
Finally got the chance to see the Long eared owl today. Showing well near IMF hide at 3pm
-- Edited by M Gannon on Saturday 14th of February 2015 08:51:19 PM
Geoff Walton said
Fri Feb 13 5:41 PM, 2015
We saw it today -Friday.
M Gannon said
Wed Feb 11 10:58 PM, 2015
Was the long eared owl seen today?
Richard Thew said
Wed Feb 11 8:07 PM, 2015
I noticed I used the wrong word for that, (loads of). my appologies for that as I didn't mean to confuse. its times like this I miss using a pencil and rubber. I blame it on the cold that my head has been suffering with for the last few days. So to help clear this up, I had 3 water rails in a space of 50 yards? on my last visits along the path in question. So I ment to imply that there seems to be a very healthy population of water rails in the area. But how many ezactly I cannot say. I hope this sounds better. Thanks for pointing this out too.
sid ashton said
Wed Feb 11 5:50 PM, 2015
Richard Thew wrote:
..................... I know the area discribed well and there are loads of water rails in that area too and sometimes they will venture away from reeds to hide among trees and shrubs instead...........
Richard I was over at BMW today taking a look at the Long-eared Owl and mentioned your comment about "loads of Water Rails" to the RSPB folk - they wondered approximately how many you meant by loads.
Rob Creek said
Tue Feb 10 8:35 PM, 2015
Jonathan Platt wrote:
Rob Creek wrote:
Doc / Sid,
The Cetti's Warbler has been reported from the viewing screen up on the left. If you continue down towards IMF Hide and then bare round to the right following the path you come onto the boardwalk part of the path where you are in the middle of the reedbeds and almost at the junction to split off to the viewpoint or IMF. There is a small area in the middle of that marsh of smallish trees. The call we heard was coming from around the tree. It didn't sound like a Cetti's call, and it didn't sound anything like a Bullfinch either to be honest, it was more like what some people (and myself) described as a bird of prey like. That's not to say it isn't a Cetti's. If anyone has the iBird UK 6.1 App and go to Marsh Harrier call, and it sounds pretty much like the call given in flight except this was not flying which is the confusing thing!
There are probably two Cetti's warblers at BMW. I've seen and heard one by the first screen but I've also heard one occasionally over several months at the far end of the boardwalk, as have several of the regular birders there. Could be the same bird roaming between the two areas of course. The bird you heard Rob sounds like it could be a Water Rail, which make a variety of calls, some of which sound somewhat raptor-like. Have a listen on Xeno-Canto.
...cheers Jonathan, I suggested Water Rail whilst we were there but the general feeling was it wasn't 'piglet-like' enough and I too steered away from it towards maybe Bird of Prey. But it is a Water Rail. It's the 10th call on Xeno Canto and the 3rd call on Aves Vox. Cheers
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 10th of February 2015 08:37:53 PM
Richard Thew said
Tue Feb 10 8:17 PM, 2015
I obviously wasn't there myself, but I would agree with Jonathan as before i read the possible candidates from the discriptions I instantly thought most likely water rail. These can sound like birds of prey easily, I know the area discribed well and there are loads of water rails in that area too and sometimes they will venture away from reeds to hide among trees and shrubs instead. I Hope this helps, maybe you could listen to some of their recorded calls on the web and see if any come close to comfirm?? I hope to visit there again soon...
Jonathan Platt said
Tue Feb 10 7:25 PM, 2015
Rob Creek wrote:
Doc / Sid,
The Cetti's Warbler has been reported from the viewing screen up on the left. If you continue down towards IMF Hide and then bare round to the right following the path you come onto the boardwalk part of the path where you are in the middle of the reedbeds and almost at the junction to split off to the viewpoint or IMF. There is a small area in the middle of that marsh of smallish trees. The call we heard was coming from around the tree. It didn't sound like a Cetti's call, and it didn't sound anything like a Bullfinch either to be honest, it was more like what some people (and myself) described as a bird of prey like. That's not to say it isn't a Cetti's. If anyone has the iBird UK 6.1 App and go to Marsh Harrier call, and it sounds pretty much like the call given in flight except this was not flying which is the confusing thing!
There are probably two Cetti's warblers at BMW. I've seen and heard one by the first screen but I've also heard one occasionally over several months at the far end of the boardwalk, as have several of the regular birders there. Could be the same bird roaming between the two areas of course. The bird you heard Rob sounds like it could be a Water Rail, which make a variety of calls, some of which sound somewhat raptor-like. Have a listen on Xeno-Canto.
Rob Creek said
Tue Feb 10 6:53 PM, 2015
Doc / Sid,
The Cetti's Warbler has been reported from the viewing screen up on the left. If you continue down towards IMF Hide and then bare round to the right following the path you come onto the boardwalk part of the path where you are in the middle of the reedbeds and almost at the junction to split off to the viewpoint or IMF. There is a small area in the middle of that marsh of smallish trees. The call we heard was coming from around the tree. It didn't sound like a Cetti's call, and it didn't sound anything like a Bullfinch either to be honest, it was more like what some people (and myself) described as a bird of prey like. That's not to say it isn't a Cetti's. If anyone has the iBird UK 6.1 App and go to Marsh Harrier call, and it sounds pretty much like the call given in flight except this was not flying which is the confusing thing!
Doc Brewster said
Mon Feb 9 9:59 PM, 2015
I agree, think Sid is spot on there, Rob, the Cetti's Warbler has been pretty vocal from that area & could be described as a Bullfinch with a megaphone
sid ashton said
Mon Feb 9 8:55 PM, 2015
Rob Creek wrote:
And I wonder if anyone managed to find out what the bird (or mammal) was that was calling from near the small trees in the middle of the reeds on way round to IMF Hide. Enough people stopped to listen but nobody could locate what was making the noise. One person suggested Bullfinch, must've had a megaphone!
Rob there has been a Cetti's Warbler knocking about the area you describe for a few weeks now, perhaps it was that you heard.
Rob Creek said
Mon Feb 9 2:39 PM, 2015
Finished the afternoon off with good views (albeit still a little obscured) of the Long Eared Owl.
A lot of people there, and some jostling for position and clanging of tripod legs, Laughable!
Other birds of note... Plenty of Waterfowl Mute Swan Canada Goose Greylag Goose Pink-footed Goose - lots of skeins drifting in Shelduck Mallard Gadwall Tufted Duck Teal Shoveler (1m 1f) We missed a White-fronted Goose by minutes, would've been a Lifer!
Little Egret Grey Heron Redshank Lapwing - lots of them Fieldfare - 25-30 mobile over fields near viewpoint Robin - commonplace Rooks and Jackdaws feeding in the field 1 Reed Bunting near viewing screen Collared Dove and Woodpigeon Usuals at feeders incl 1 Coal Tit Missed the reported Willow Tit
Small group of birds over of Starling size but brown. Think they were Skylarks. And I wonder if anyone managed to find out what the bird (or mammal) was that was calling from near the small trees in the middle of the reeds on way round to IMF Hide. Enough people stopped to listen but nobody could locate what was making the noise. One person suggested Bullfinch, must've had a megaphone!
A cracking day all round.
David Wilson said
Sun Feb 8 8:00 PM, 2015
The only thing visible in the fog this morning was a roosting Long Eared Owl. A lifer for me so worth the walk. :)
David Wilson said
Sat Jan 3 9:02 AM, 2015
Yesterday afternoon, enjoyed a stroll to Burton point. Raven, 2 Buzzard and Kestrel. Also Stonechat, small flock of Fieldfare and the odd Redwing. Then onto Burton Mere Rspb for a coffee and to defrost. Good views of Ringtail Hen Harrier over the barn area. Close views of Shoveler and Teal. Plenty other birds on the scrape but too difficult to identify as the sun made them all sillouettes.
John Doherty said
Sat Dec 13 3:54 PM, 2014
Late post for yesterday - Cattle Egret showing well (lifer) Stonechat, and Marsh Harrier hunting main reserve
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Tue Dec 2 7:50 PM, 2014
Cattle Egret 1 still here spending most of the time with it's friends, the cattle. Hen Harrier 1 ringtail. Kestrel 1 Buzzard 1 Dunlin 4 Redshank 11 Black-tailed Godwit 8 Common Gull 70+ Pinkfeet Geese 100+ Chiffchaff 1 Water Rail 1 Little Grebe 1 Teal/Wigeon/Shovelers. etc.
Little Egrets, Curlew, Meadow Pipits, Linnets and pair of Stonechats on Burton Marsh.
Mark Burgess said
Fri Nov 21 8:38 PM, 2014
Inner Marsh Farm area highlights
Cattle Egret, Close views as it feed amongst the grazing Sheep Hen Harrier, Ring tail passed through quartering low over the reed beds lost to view as it headed over the rail line to Burton Marsh Marsh Harrier 2 Merlin female, initially close views as it perched on a fence post, then took flight chasing prey low over the reeds Kestrel Sparrowhawk 2 Buzzard 2
Great raptor day..!!
Andrew Mitchell said
Sat Nov 8 9:44 PM, 2014
A couple of afternoon hours after High tide at Hoylake in the morning. Highlights were a flock of Golden Plover on the scrape and some excellent close views of Little Grebe, Linnet and Goldcrest.
Plenty of Lapwing, Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwit, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall and Mallard. Water Rails calling from a couple of the hides, but no sign for me, and the Cattle Egret is still around but also proved elusive.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Thu Nov 6 3:31 PM, 2014
Just realised it should have read Ringtail or is it Ring-tail Harrier.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Tue Nov 4 7:40 PM, 2014
Tuesday 4/11/14 am:
Cattle Egret 1 still around. Hen Harrier 1 ringed-tail. Merlin 1f. Kestrel 1m. Buzzard 1 Water Rail 1 giving good views in front of centre plus 1 heard near middle hide. Curlew 1 Ruff 2 Snipe 40+ Skylarks Wigeon/Teal/Shoveler/Shelduck. Black-tailed Godwits. etc.etc.
Down Station Road to Burton Marsh and walk to Nett's Cafe:
An interesting day out. First thing I got good views of the long staying cattle egret feeding with the cows at the back. There was also 9 greenshanks, 1 spotted redshank, 1 ruff, 2 water rails several times from the inner marsh hide and a curlew sandpiper of interest. By the afternoon the wind had picked up but the sun was out- all the cows were sat down and the cattle egret?? He was way closer having a rest and a play about with sticks amongst a flock of Canada geese. Fantastic!!!
Ps. Its hit and miss asto when you can get good views of him, usually if he isn't about in the morning, chances are he will be about later as this is where he feeds. So I wish anyone wanting to find him all the best.
Adam Jones said
Sat Oct 11 5:22 PM, 2014
Saturday 11th October
From the Reception Hide:
2 Whooper Swans early morning
1Cattle Egret in with the Cattle before flying off
3 Ruff
1 Dunlin
1 Water Rail ever so briefly
IMF hide:
30-40 Pintail
Hundreds of Teal
6 Greenshank
5 Spotted Redshank
2 Stonechat (male & female)
A good 3,000 Pink-footed geese over in several skeins.
1 Snipe
A pretty good morning
sid ashton said
Fri Sep 26 5:56 PM, 2014
Called in at BMW on the way home from Hoylake - the Cattle Egret was showing really well on one of the small islands in front of the reception hide next to which was a snoozing Black Swan
Doc Brewster said
Wed Sep 24 9:57 AM, 2014
Paul Richardson wrote:
............and the Cattle Egret likewise not showing today.
A Cattle Egret is currently at Leighton Moss RSPB, maybe it's the BMW bird doing a tour of the NW RSPB reserves
Paul Richardson said
Tue Sep 23 10:53 PM, 2014
Good views of four Little Stint this morning, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, and 8 Greenshank being very noisy. The Red Necked Phalarope not been seen since Sunday, and the Cattle Egret likewise not showing today.
Must say the reserve is great now that IMF is linked by boardwalk and footpaths to the other areas. Water level very low of course.
Dennis atherton said
Sun Sep 21 8:06 PM, 2014
Red necked phalarope still present today. With 6 spotted redshanks. 4 little stints. 8 ruff. 1 green sandpiper. 6 golden plover and my first pink feet of the year. About 90 pink footed geese flew in from the coast at hilbre. Some stopped at burton mere but were soon moved on by the masses of canada geese. All the waders were seen from the IMF hide. Cheers
-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Sunday 21st of September 2014 08:09:26 PM
-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Sunday 21st of September 2014 08:12:30 PM
John Doherty said
Fri Sep 19 6:53 PM, 2014
A second trip in five days, this time with Melanie Beckford.
Not at all were we to be denied the Red-Necked Phalarophe - it was at IMF hide and showing well on and off (lifer) We were treated to some excellent other birds, including a Hobby which made a few raids from the marsh direction, but didn't seem attack anything.
Wader activity was super with Snipe (10) Greenshank (1) Little Stint (3) Spotted Redshank (3) and Ruff (10+) all from IMF hide. There was at least two Chiffchaff around, plus a reported 1200 (!) Pintail had dropped in, but we saw nothing like those numbers, although there were some as well as Wigeons and Teals.
The Cattle Egret was around and reported, but I couldn't find it and time again was sadly against us, but a great day in great company!
John Doherty said
Tue Sep 16 12:01 AM, 2014
I survived a long train trip (and getting off the Wirral peninsular was like escaping from Alcatraz) with a tilt at all the goodies on this amazing reserve. It was my first trip, but was far too short - time beat me all ends up. I couldn't sadly locate the Phalarophe, but it was in the reeds at the front of the IMF hide - gutted at that. Sad that the Cattle Egret couldn't be seen either - again, it was reported - as they're both scarce birds and lifers.
Still not a bad day, turning up 1 Little Stint(lifer) at the reception hide, plus 3 Ruff and at least 2 Curlew Sandpipers and 1 Spotted Redshank at IMF hide.
Elsewhere, a Kestrel was hunting Burton Marsh; a pair of Stonechats were on the marsh, plus a Buzzard was seen around Denhall Lane/Burton Road as dusk approached.
M Gannon said
Sat Sep 13 7:11 PM, 2014
A fantastic few hours at Burton mere Wetlands this afternoon that produced six lifers. The Cattle Egret was on show from the reception hide as soon as we arrived. The Red necked Phalarophe took a bit of searching for but we eventually got onto it and managed some good views through the telescope. The other birds didn't seem fond of it though, as we saw it being chased by both a ruff and a Curlew Sandpiper! A full round up follows:
Mr Rugby's taxi delivered us late afternoon by which time the Curlew Sandpiper and Greenshank had departed but four Spotted Redshank were back right in front of Inner Marsh hide. The phalarope was getting a lot of aggro from Teal and Black- headed Gulls whenever it came to the centre of the pool.
Good views of the Cattle Egret from the path back to Burton Marsh, which produced a couple of lifers for us in Ruddy Darter and Common Newt
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Fri Sep 12 8:17 PM, 2014
Thanks for the confirmation John.
Andrew Mitchell said
Fri Sep 12 5:09 PM, 2014
Lovely afternoon at Burton Mere from 12.30 to 3.30.
Cattle Egret - still there in amongst the cows; Red-necked Phalarope - still very active from IMF hide. A Sparrowhawk which swooped in and took something caused a bit of panic as the bird disappeared for a few minutes, but another birder in the hide happily relocated it; 2 Little Stint and 4 or 5 Curlew Sandpiper also at IMF; Decent numbers of Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Lapwing and Snipe from IMF and reception hide, and some Ruff too. Spotted Redshank had been seen in the morning but I missed it; Greenshank heard but not seen.
Also amongst the growing numbers of ducks and geese (particularly Teal and Wigeon) were one each of Black Swan and Barnacle Goose (I guess both 'origin unknown') and a few Pink-footed Geese were present.
JOHN TYMON said
Thu Sep 11 8:56 PM, 2014
PHIL GREENWOOD wrote:
Can any experts out there confirm that the Phalarope, Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints and 1 Curlew Sandpiper seen on Wednesday afternoon from the IMF hide, were all juveniles. I was even less sure about the 7 Greenshanks I saw but at least 1 Spotted Redshank was an adult.
At the weekend all the rarer waders were Juveniles, the first 4 in your list were anyway .
:)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 12th of September 2014 08:22:17 PM
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Thu Sep 11 6:26 PM, 2014
Can any experts out there confirm that the Phalarope, Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints and 1 Curlew Sandpiper seen on Wednesday afternoon from the IMF hide, were all juveniles. I was even less sure about the 7 Greenshanks I saw but at least 1 Spotted Redshank was an adult.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Sep 11 11:27 AM, 2014
Yep good to see you again John I had several Pink-footed Geese too and a single Barnacle Goose in with them - only picked out when the geese took flight from the fields at the east end!! Glad that you found space in the IMF sauna hide
John Watson said
Thu Sep 11 10:57 AM, 2014
Same as Paul & Keith, below
Also a calling Greenshank flew over while we dipped on the Whinchat Very large female Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Swallows & House Martins Raven in front of IMF hide, then it (or another) being mobbed by other corvids over the woods. Makes you appreciate just how big they are. Plenty of Pinkfoots in adjacent fields, just arrived Vast numbers of Canada Geese pushed in by the very high tide
Comma butterfly by stream just after boardwalk approaching IMF hide Common lizard on usual fence Numerous Large Red Damselflies
Just enough space in IMF hide, very claustrophobic I gather that 2 of the organised groups didn't have the courtesy to give advance notice of their visits
And a very Happy Birthday to Colin without whom none of this would have happened.
Nice to bump into you again, Doc
-- Edited by John Watson on Thursday 11th of September 2014 11:10:02 AM
-- Edited by John Watson on Thursday 11th of September 2014 11:11:13 AM
Keith Williams said
Thu Sep 11 10:48 AM, 2014
Yes Doc, probably did, I was in the IMF hide early when there was room (red hoody, sat near the door), I later turned around and it was 3 deep so made my escape to let others sit.
Hi Tanmay, if only I had the luxury of time, I had booked a day off work but had to be back for the school run unfortunately.
Forgot to add, also saw the Hobby and the curious Sparrowhawk that sat a couple of metres back from the waters edge surveying it's surroundings.
-Lots of Swallows over the reserve including over the field towards the old barn behind reception.
One particular adult feeding its young with in-flight food passes to its well grown young, really good close up views.
-quite a few House Martins
-small number of Common Swift
-1 Nuthatch near the car park
-1 Reed Bunting
-yet again no luck with the Little Owl, and Steve made me laugh when he said 'I've never seen it here, yet!'
A mid afternoon visit here with Steve Burke after the Red-footed Falcon in Staffordshire.
Birds of note...
-3 Spotted Redshank - a Lifer for me for summer plumage phase
(Also 1 infront of reception later on that could've been 1 of the 3)
-3 Avocet
-lots of Black-tailed Godwit
-2 Whimbrel over, their bill looked almost straight with curved end
-plenty of Redshank
-lots of Lapwing
-4 or 5 Little Ringed Plover
-5 or 6 Dunlin
-3 Ruff
-1 Common Sandpiper on far bank infront of reception
-1 pair of Wigeon which I didn't expect at all
-few Common Teal around too
-2 Northern Shoveler (also 2 flying through)
-Tufted Duck
-Gadwall
-lots of Little Egret trrrri including 46 in one of the roosting trees
-2 Grey Heron
-1 Common Tern that covered pretty much most of the reserve
-plenty of Sedge Warbler activity
-plenty of Whitethroat around too
-2 Chiffchaff
-1 Blackcap
-few Wrens around
-lots of Goldfinch
-young Chaffinches
-few Linnet
-1 Stock Dove
-2 Collared Dove
-lots of Woodpigeon
-1 Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeders
-Green Woodpecker heard only
-plenty of usual Corvids, Waterbirds, Garden Birds, and Gulls.
Other species of note:- Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Avocet and Green Woodpecker.
It was still there when I left Burton at 1600hrs.
Highlights were:
1 male yellow wagtail BRITISH LIFER (which landed in the field with cattle in it near the barn where the little owls are)
1 1st-2nd summer Mediterranean gull ( it was hard to tell because all I could see was half its head and half its wings.
2 common tern fishing on the meres
2 reed warblers singing in the reeds next to the feeders + one very vocal bird from bunker hide/screen which eluded us.
7 whitethroats (5 from the the little owl view point and two where the sand martin wall is.)
3 lapwing on nests with 2 young
2 redshank
300+ black tailed godwit
50+ avocets with 20+ young
little grebe at the very front of the hide
I was pretty certain I had seen a greenshank at the muddy bay at the back but before elliot could get onto it, it had wandering into a tall marshy reedy area.
While we were there someone said they had a silver studded blue butterfly but after checking all of the blues in the area it had been sighted minuted before we only found commons.
Little Owl
Avocet 50+
Ruff 2
Black Tailed Godwit c120, Many in summer breeding plumage
Swallow 15
Chiffchaff, many sing around the reserve
Green Woodpecker heard only
Long-Eared Owl visible in bramble bush just before IMF hide.
Hen Harrier (at a distance) from visitor centre, with Pintail close up.
Stonechat from Marsh Covert Hide.
Also ring-tailed Hen Harrier, Stonechats, and 28 Curlew behind the car park
-- Edited by M Gannon on Saturday 14th of February 2015 08:51:19 PM
Richard I was over at BMW today taking a look at the Long-eared Owl and mentioned your comment about "loads of Water Rails" to the RSPB folk - they wondered approximately how many you meant by loads.
...cheers Jonathan, I suggested Water Rail whilst we were there but the general feeling was it wasn't 'piglet-like' enough and I too steered away from it towards maybe Bird of Prey.
But it is a Water Rail. It's the 10th call on Xeno Canto and the 3rd call on Aves Vox.
Cheers
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 10th of February 2015 08:37:53 PM
There are probably two Cetti's warblers at BMW. I've seen and heard one by the first screen but I've also heard one occasionally over several months at the far end of the boardwalk, as have several of the regular birders there. Could be the same bird roaming between the two areas of course. The bird you heard Rob sounds like it could be a Water Rail, which make a variety of calls, some of which sound somewhat raptor-like. Have a listen on Xeno-Canto.
The Cetti's Warbler has been reported from the viewing screen up on the left. If you continue down towards IMF Hide and then bare round to the right following the path you come onto the boardwalk part of the path where you are in the middle of the reedbeds and almost at the junction to split off to the viewpoint or IMF. There is a small area in the middle of that marsh of smallish trees. The call we heard was coming from around the tree. It didn't sound like a Cetti's call, and it didn't sound anything like a Bullfinch either to be honest, it was more like what some people (and myself) described as a bird of prey like. That's not to say it isn't a Cetti's.
If anyone has the iBird UK 6.1 App and go to Marsh Harrier call, and it sounds pretty much like the call given in flight except this was not flying which is the confusing thing!
A lot of people there, and some jostling for position and clanging of tripod legs, Laughable!
Other birds of note...
Plenty of Waterfowl
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Pink-footed Goose - lots of skeins drifting in
Shelduck
Mallard
Gadwall
Tufted Duck
Teal
Shoveler (1m 1f)
We missed a White-fronted Goose by minutes, would've been a Lifer!
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Redshank
Lapwing - lots of them
Fieldfare - 25-30 mobile over fields near viewpoint
Robin - commonplace
Rooks and Jackdaws feeding in the field
1 Reed Bunting near viewing screen
Collared Dove and Woodpigeon
Usuals at feeders incl 1 Coal Tit
Missed the reported Willow Tit
Small group of birds over of Starling size but brown. Think they were Skylarks.
And I wonder if anyone managed to find out what the bird (or mammal) was that was calling from near the small trees in the middle of the reeds on way round to IMF Hide.
Enough people stopped to listen but nobody could locate what was making the noise. One person suggested Bullfinch, must've had a megaphone!
A cracking day all round.
Hen Harrier 1 ringtail.
Kestrel 1
Buzzard 1
Dunlin 4
Redshank 11
Black-tailed Godwit 8
Common Gull 70+
Pinkfeet Geese 100+
Chiffchaff 1
Water Rail 1
Little Grebe 1
Teal/Wigeon/Shovelers.
etc.
Little Egrets, Curlew, Meadow Pipits, Linnets and pair of Stonechats on Burton Marsh.
Cattle Egret, Close views as it feed amongst the grazing Sheep
Hen Harrier, Ring tail passed through quartering low over the reed beds lost to view as it headed over the rail line to Burton Marsh
Marsh Harrier 2
Merlin female, initially close views as it perched on a fence post, then took flight chasing prey low over the reeds
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk 2
Buzzard 2
Great raptor day..!!
Plenty of Lapwing, Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwit, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall and Mallard. Water Rails calling from a couple of the hides, but no sign for me, and the Cattle Egret is still around but also proved elusive.
Cattle Egret 1 still around.
Hen Harrier 1 ringed-tail.
Merlin 1f.
Kestrel 1m.
Buzzard 1
Water Rail 1 giving good views in front of centre plus 1 heard near middle hide.
Curlew 1
Ruff 2
Snipe 40+
Skylarks
Wigeon/Teal/Shoveler/Shelduck.
Black-tailed Godwits.
etc.etc.
Down Station Road to Burton Marsh and walk to Nett's Cafe:
Stonechat 2m 2f.
Grey Wagtail 1
Chiffchaff 1
Little Egret 6+
Redshanks
Linnets
Meadow Pipits
etc.etc.
A Cattle Egret is currently at Leighton Moss RSPB, maybe it's the BMW bird doing a tour of the NW RSPB reserves
Must say the reserve is great now that IMF is linked by boardwalk and footpaths to the other areas. Water level very low of course.
All the waders were seen from the IMF hide. Cheers
-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Sunday 21st of September 2014 08:09:26 PM
-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Sunday 21st of September 2014 08:12:30 PM
Not at all were we to be denied the Red-Necked Phalarophe - it was at IMF hide and showing well on and off (lifer)
We were treated to some excellent other birds, including a Hobby which made a few raids from the marsh direction, but didn't seem attack anything.
Wader activity was super with Snipe (10) Greenshank (1) Little Stint (3) Spotted Redshank (3) and Ruff (10+) all from IMF hide.
There was at least two Chiffchaff around, plus a reported 1200 (!) Pintail had dropped in, but we saw nothing like those numbers, although there were some as well as Wigeons and Teals.
The Cattle Egret was around and reported, but I couldn't find it and time again was sadly against us, but a great day in great company!
Still not a bad day, turning up 1 Little Stint(lifer) at the reception hide, plus 3 Ruff and at least 2 Curlew Sandpipers and 1 Spotted Redshank at IMF hide.
Elsewhere, a Kestrel was hunting Burton Marsh; a pair of Stonechats were on the marsh, plus a Buzzard was seen around Denhall Lane/Burton Road as dusk approached.
1 Cattle Egret
1 Red necked phalarophe (juv)
2 Curlew Sandpiper
13 Spotted Redshank
1 Golden Plover
1 Hobby
10 Ruff
200 Teal
40 Wigeon
3 Buzzard
5 Snipe
10 Redshank
3 Black tailed Godwit
Cattle Egret - still there in amongst the cows;
Red-necked Phalarope - still very active from IMF hide. A Sparrowhawk which swooped in and took something caused a bit of panic as the bird disappeared for a few minutes, but another birder in the hide happily relocated it;
2 Little Stint and 4 or 5 Curlew Sandpiper also at IMF;
Decent numbers of Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Lapwing and Snipe from IMF and reception hide, and some Ruff too. Spotted Redshank had been seen in the morning but I missed it;
Greenshank heard but not seen.
Also amongst the growing numbers of ducks and geese (particularly Teal and Wigeon) were one each of Black Swan and Barnacle Goose (I guess both 'origin unknown') and a few Pink-footed Geese were present.
At the weekend all the rarer waders were Juveniles, the first 4 in your list were anyway .
:)
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 12th of September 2014 08:22:17 PM
Also a calling Greenshank flew over while we dipped on the Whinchat
Very large female Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Swallows & House Martins
Raven in front of IMF hide, then it (or another) being mobbed by other corvids over the woods. Makes you appreciate just how big they are.
Plenty of Pinkfoots in adjacent fields, just arrived
Vast numbers of Canada Geese pushed in by the very high tide
Comma butterfly by stream just after boardwalk approaching IMF hide
Common lizard on usual fence
Numerous Large Red Damselflies
Just enough space in IMF hide, very claustrophobic
I gather that 2 of the organised groups didn't have the courtesy to give advance notice of their visits
And a very Happy Birthday to Colin without whom none of this would have happened.
Nice to bump into you again, Doc
-- Edited by John Watson on Thursday 11th of September 2014 11:10:02 AM
-- Edited by John Watson on Thursday 11th of September 2014 11:11:13 AM
Hi Tanmay, if only I had the luxury of time, I had booked a day off work but had to be back for the school run unfortunately.
Forgot to add, also saw the Hobby and the curious Sparrowhawk that sat a couple of metres back from the waters edge surveying it's surroundings.