Decided on a quick mooch to see the Hudsonian Godwit on Monday not my type of birding ,the hide was cahos Just too full for me and people waiting outside, Good job I took the scope as it was pointing in between peoples heads to see the bird which in the end showed well pic attached. Also 12 Greenshank were great to see with all the other regular waders, great white egret and Peregrine also. It's a fabulous reserve.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 20th of August 2024 07:35:26 AM
Had planned a short visit to Burton Mere Wetlands today but that pesky Hudsonian Godwit nearly scuppered it! I risked setting off with fears of a full car park but luckily I arrived before any crowds and got parked very easily. When I left however the overflow car park was in use due to numbers arriving to twitch the godwit.
I headed straight round to the Railway Bridge and started to scan the railway cutting. Folk I had met had given me negative news re the Redstarts that had been present for several days, no-one had seen them despite looking. However one couple said that Merlin on their phone had indicated Redstart in the correct area. So I was hopeful! I heard a high pitched call that I was suspicious of so tried my Merlin and BINGO : Redstart calling! I just had to see it now. So I continued the vigil and had good views of 3(2m) Blackcaps, a Whitethroat, 2 Great Tits, a Robin and a Dunnock, but no Redstart! Then about 30mins after the Merlin confirmation of a call 2 birds flew west across the railway cutting and when I got onto the first one in the bush in which it had laded there it was an immature Redstart. Immediately an adult male Redstart appeared next to it and both showed really well before disappearing into deep cover not to be seen again!
Rather than go to see the godwit, which I had seen and photographed well on it's first day, I headed back to the visitor centre. Scanning the Visitor Centre Lagoon I picked up 10 Ruff, 3 Dunlin, 9 Snipe, 2 Common Gulls and lots of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 19th of August 2024 08:51:44 PM
Mike Chorley said
Sun Aug 18 10:38 PM, 2024
18/08/2024 East West Jaunt stage 3
As we were on our way from RSPB Old Moor(stage 1 - see thread) to RSPB St Aidans (Stage 2 - see thread) we got news of the Hudsonian Godwit's return to Burton Wetlands. Having successfully connected with the Caspian Tern, we returned to Greater Manchester for a change of driver and headed further west. Luckily for us, the traffic hold up on the M56 was on the eastbound lane so we were fairly quickly at the reserve and enjoying our second Mega of the day, albeit against the light. Having got "eyes on" from the visitor centre we relocated to a slightly better viewing spot to have a better look. Again, definitely more of a one bird visit, but Mike A and I did test our lucky streak by going to look for the little group of Redstarts reported from the area around the railway bridge. It had run out Still, a good day out with Lifers for two of us, year ticks for all of us, reasonable weather and a good day's birding. Final total of 52 species seen and 3 - Raven, Reed Bunting and Great Spotted Woodpecker- heard only.
Many thanks to Mike and John for the shared driving. A Grand Day Out.
colin davies said
Thu Aug 15 11:17 AM, 2024
I was pleased to catch up with the Hudsonian godwit at Burton Mere Wetlands on Tuesday, my 4th in the UK following birds at Blacktoft RSPB (1983), Meare Heath, Somerset (2005) & St Andrews (2020). It was asleep most of the time that I was there but it did occasionally preen and flap it's wings to reveal the diagnostic black underwing.
Hudsonian Godwit still present early afternoon on Centenary Pool and from the Border Hide. Found yesterday evening but flew out to the estuary, although refound this morning as indicated. Still in part breeding plumage but in usual moult for this time of year. Associating with the Godwit flock.
Burton Mere never fails as usual, with the first Reed Warbler of the year. Other highlights were 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Knot, 1 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 1 male Pintail and a pair of Wigeon. 48 species in total.
Burton Marsh was even better with 3 Cattle Egrets, 1 Great White Egret, 6 Wheatears, 3 Swallows, also 1 Greenshank and 2 Goosanders on the flooded marsh. Also a male Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels and the first Whitethroat of the year.
68 species in total for both sites.
Mike Chorley said
Sun Mar 24 10:55 PM, 2024
Visited here on 15/03 and 24/03
Combined highlights and dips
4 Barnacle Geese (feral?) very distant towards the new bridge 15/03 1 Dunlin (alpina) among the Knot within the Godwit flock 15/03 - mainly Back-tailed but with a sprinkling of Bar-tailed Ruff - 2 from the visitor centre and 3 among the Godwits etc. 15/03. 3 on the scrapes between the hides 24/03 Spotted Redshank 5 from Bridge Pool/Screen 15/03 later joining the Godwit flock. Sand Martin 3<5 at the visitor centre just before closing time then c20 over the car park 24/03 - year tick Chiffchaff 1st of year for me 15/03 Many more around 24/03 and showing very well Cetti's Warbler 1st actual sighting of the year 24/03
Dipped Green Woodpecker and Egyptian Goose both days.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 24th of March 2024 10:57:05 PM
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Feb 28 9:15 PM, 2024
Four hour visit this morning from 10.30 am. Weather dull with some rain, light winds, 6-11*c. Amongst others :-
A quick walk down by Nets Cafe/Decca Pools, overlooking Burton Marsh, added a pair of Goosander, at least two more Great Egret, several Little Egret and well over a hundred distant Pink-footed Goose. Then the rain started.
Chris Harper said
Sun Nov 12 9:02 PM, 2023
Visit from 09:00-11:00 before the trip to Hilbre.
Barred Warbler was seen briefly at 9:45 near border hide. Also Long Tailed Duck, Kingfisher and Cettis Warbler.
the Black-winged stilt was present again today but highly mobile around the reserve
Chris Harper said
Thu Apr 27 7:27 PM, 2023
Today 10:15-14:30
Black Winged Stilt stayed for an hour from Marsh Covet hide, also 3+ Bar Tailed Godwit with 100's of Black Tailed, Little Ringed Plover, 20 Knot with some in summer plumage, 6 Spotted Redshank with some almost pure black, 2 Greenshank, 9 Dunlin, Yellow Wagtail, Green Woodpecker, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, many Avocet, 2 Common Whitethroat, Raven, many Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin, drake Pintail, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Great White Egret, 6 Wheatear.
Gull-billed Tern was present at border hide yesterday but its appearances were intermittent
Phil Oddy said
Tue Apr 11 12:44 PM, 2023
savi's warbler singing by screen hide yesterday & still present this morning
Mike Chorley said
Mon Mar 20 8:31 PM, 2023
Sunday 19/03/023
Following on from the repeat visit toNorth Wales, we called in here to follow the pattern of last month's trip. No Lesser Whitefronted goose this time, all the Pinkfooted geese very distant on Burton Marsh and we failed to find any Spotted Redshank. First summer migrant in the shape of at least one Chiffchaff, a group of 10 Knot among one of the flocks of Black Tailed Godwits, a posse of 32 Grey Herons in one of the reed beds, plenty of calling Cetti's Warblers heard, 10 Pintail (8 drakes and 2 ducks) from the screen hide and at least 4 Great Egrets around the reserve, including "Gary" on his usual pool.
Paul Flackett said
Wed Mar 1 7:45 PM, 2023
Avocet numbers up to 7 as of yesterday. At least 4 Ruff could also be seen on the main scrape. Other birds of note were a pair of Marsh Harriers constantly active in the reeds by Marsh Covert Hide and several Pintail visible from both the screen & on Border Pool viewed from Border Hide. But at BMW it's all about the sheer numbers. Skeins of Pink-footed Geese were always in the air and 1000's could be seen across the marsh from Burton Point. In fact I've never seen so many Lapwing (literally thousands) as I could see through my scope from this viewpoint. Made me feel very small but instilled a real feeling of wellbeing!
The sound of calling Cettis Warblers was everywhere but this was one of those rare occasions when I actually saw one for more than a second.
Arriving back at the visitor centre I looked out across the main scrape again and noticed 20+ Whooper Swans had flown in since I'd last departed. They were lounging by an island currently occupied by 5 Barnacle Geese. A nice end to the day.
Mike Chorley said
Mon Feb 20 7:14 PM, 2023
Mike Chorley wrote:
Called in here on the way home from North Wales, initially to see the Spotted Redshanks reported during the afternoon, only to discover that a Lesser White Front had been found among the large flock of Pinkfeet south of the mere. The bird was distant, at the back of the main flock, but showed well, and appeared to have no avicultural rings or feather damage, but, as people were saying, "who knows". Obviously smaller and darker, but the yellow orbital ring wasn't noticed by anyone while we were there.
Online picture received from Mr. Rayner showing that the bird does in fact have an orbital ring. Don't have a credit for it so not posted here. I'm sure it, and others, can be found fairly easily on line.
Mike Chorley said
Sun Feb 19 10:39 PM, 2023
Called in here on the way home from North Wales, initially to see the Spotted Redshanks reported during the afternoon, only to discover that a Lesser White Front had been found among the large flock of Pinkfeet south of the mere. The bird was distant, at the back of the main flock, but showed well, and appeared to have no avicultural rings or feather damage, but, as people were saying, "who knows". Obviously smaller and darker, but the yellow orbital ring wasn't noticed by anyone while we were there.
Despite less than idea viewing (westward into late afternoon sun) we managed to find one of the Spotted Redshanks, which obligingly then joined 4 of its' mates. A few commoner year ticks collected during the trip as well, to make it a satisfactory day.
Steven Nelson said
Thu Aug 18 9:17 PM, 2022
Highlights from an afternoon visit today:
Main reserve: 1 Spotted Crake - juvenile - occasionally showing along the reedy edge from the Reception hide. Didnt see the adult. 1 Wood Sandpiper - juvenile 3 Green Sandpiper 5 Little Ringed Plover - all juveniles Quite a few Ruff, Snipe & Black-tailed Godwit 1 Kingfisher 1 Great White Egret 1 Cettis Warbler heard Large numbers of eclipse Teal Smaller numbers of eclipse Gadwall and Wigeon
Burton Point: 1 Redstart - juvenile male 2 Green Woodpecker - adult and juvenile A large roving mixed feeding flock of Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits, numerous Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and 1 Garden Warbler 1 Swift with a flock of Swallows and House Martins
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Thursday 18th of August 2022 09:20:14 PM
Tony Coatsworth said
Wed Apr 20 2:20 PM, 2022
Long-tailed Duck is still hanging around.
9 Spotted Redshank coming into breeding plumage.
4 Mediterranean Gulls from visitor centre.
1 Yellow Wagtail flew over Bunker hide
Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 20th of April 2022 03:19:00 PM
Steven Nelson said
Wed Apr 6 4:00 PM, 2022
Morning visit:
Highlights:
1 1st winter Little Gull 2 Garganey - pair 5 Spotted Redshank c8 Bar-tailed Godwit small flock of Knot - one developing summer plumage 1 Marsh Harrier 3 Cettis Warblers seen - more heard 1 Water Rail heard Lots of Avocet and Black-tailed Godwits A few Pink-footed Geese still around - more on the salt marshes 3 Little Egret 2 Swallow 2 Sand Martin
Missed a flyover Osprey by 10 mins!
Richard Thew said
Tue Apr 5 10:13 PM, 2022
It's been many years since I was here last, so I made an effort whilst I had the opportunity.
Quite a successful trip with 64 species seen and a few others heard only.
Highlights include:
Rooks very close along the cycle trail between the main reserve and salt marsh. Little gull (1st winter) found on the Bridge screen pool, (which gave the best views). Cettis warbler x3 Little grebe Garganey drake asleep from the far pool by the railway. Knot x2 Greenshank x1 Avocet (lots) Sand martin Skylark Stock dove Marsh harrier x2 Goldcrest Blackcap An interesting Chiffchaff, as it was soggy, which gave it an appearance of a Willow warbler. Egyptian goose x11 (or x2 adults)
No sign of the Long tailed duck, despite making a careful search for it.
Ta!
Ps. A few heard only include: Green woodpecker, Treecreeper and Jay.
Barry Corless said
Sun Mar 27 9:02 PM, 2022
A couple of hours on the reserve this afternoon
Long tailed duck and Garganey both visible from the Bridge screen Marsh Harriers in display flight 3 x Cattle Egret on Border Pool Chiffchaff in abundance Pair of Egyptian Geese with c. 8-10 young Plenty of Avocet in a number of locations around the reserve
Mike Crawley said
Mon Mar 21 3:32 PM, 2022
A good morning at the reserve today.
Briefest of brief details:-
Loads of Avocets. Saw the Long-tailed Duck at the Bridge screen again - still difficult to connect with though.
Unlike the Garganey, which showed brilliantly well from Border Hide.
Other highlights, my first Wheatear of the year at Burton Point plus one of the regular Green Woodpeckers.
Cetti's Warblers singing from 4 or 5 locations. Lots of Chiffchaff singing.
It all felt very spring like but still needed a "big coat"
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Mar 18 5:12 PM, 2022
Another visit yesterday afternoon, four hours or so. Pretty much as per my visit on the 11th, with the addition of the female Long-tailed Duck on Bridge Pool and a female Merlin that sped, right to left, about five yards in front of the Marsh Covert Hide.
Mark Jarrett said
Fri Mar 11 3:35 PM, 2022
Four and a quarter hours this morning from 9.30 hrs in cool and blustery weather, fine to start with, with rain for the last fifteen minutes. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a good spread of birds with 54 species seen. Avocet numbers building nicely and several Chiffchaff heard; Cettis also vocal from a few different locations. A Bar-tailed Godwit had been reported early on but despite finding a Black-tailed Godwit with a barred tail, it wasnt relocated and was presumed to have left. Amongst others :-
It was a pleasure to be out with the Stockport Birdwatching Society for the first time in ages, for the traditional run over to the Wirral and Burton Mere to begin the year's set of outdoor meetings.
Having started the day further up the peninsula, we arrived at Burton Mere around 13.30 with the weather having largely brightened up and a brilliant reserve full of birds to look at. There were lots of ducks including Pintail, Gadwall, Wigeon and Shoveler along with loads of Teal, large numbers of Pink-footed Geese moving around, but my highlight on the reserve was a superb ringtail Hen Harrier cruising past the new Border Hide. I hadn't seen the hide before personally, and it was pretty cool, spacious and definitely a good thing to have opened up some views of the areas by the railway line down there. It was good to see things like Siskin and Cetti's Warbler down around the boardwalk as well as plenty of Fieldfares moving around vocally.
Overall it was a cracking day and hopefully the first of many good trips in 2022. We managed a total of 81 species for the day which did not look on the cards as we got drenched at Wallasey! Amazingly nobody recorded Meadow Pipit on the day and Mute Swan was only seen from the coach on the way home; we were a bit stunned that neither species was seen from a day's birding on the Dee Estuary in January...
See https://stockportbirders.blogspot.com/ for more information on upcoming trips and indoor meetings; February's outdoor meeting is scheduled for Slimbridge WWT, an exciting prospect indeed.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jan 2 9:46 PM, 2022
After a trip to the top of The Wirral today I dropped in at Cheshire's premier reserve for an hour or two!
The highlights (and yearticks) included a pair of Egyptian Geese on Burton Mere where they are likely to breed. On the visitor centre lagoon were 5 Spotted Redshanks and a big, mobile flock of Black-tailed Godwits. Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler were both added as I walked round and three additional species made it 8 yearticks here alone (they were Pheasant, Coal Tit and Greenfinch!).
John Williams said
Wed Nov 24 5:45 PM, 2021
Pool/Area in front of Reception
1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 6 Redshanks and 1f Marsh Harrier.
Viewed from Inner marsh Farm hide
2 Pintail (Border Pool), 1 Stonechat and 1 Egyptian Goose (With a missing left foot).
Large numbers of Pink Footed, Canada and Greylag Geese were on the saltmarsh below the Hill Fort.
A female Marsh Harrier, a Kestrel and a least 6 highly vocal Ravens were also seen on the saltmarsh.
Saltmarsh area alongside Station Road
2 Stonechats, 2 Meadow Pipits and 1 Buzzard. A single Fieldfare was feasting on haws with a small group of Blackbirds.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Sep 23 9:17 PM, 2021
In the Border Hide exactly same time as Chris and we were lucky, some folk had waited an hour for its return. I'd been there c.15mins max when the first-winter Wilson's Phalarope (pic attached) flew in after being reported to have flown over the railway. Excellent views before the Peregrine flushed it. Also on the lagoon were 9 Ruff including a male with a stunning white head and a single Wigeon. Afetr it flew odd I left and looks like a good decision as no further reports!
Quick scoot over to Burton Mere RSPB this evening to see the Wilson's Phalarope.
Not as easy as expected with a no show on arrival at 5pm with people saying it had gone over towards the outer marsh beyond Burton Point. However after 5 minutes in Border hide it flew in and fed obligingly in front of the sizeable crowd.
Image attached.
A further 10 minutes all waders were spooked by a Peregrine and off they went not to return.
2 Ruff, 20 Lapwing, 5 Black Tailed Godwit, 4 Cettis Warbler were also present.
Wilsons phalarope still at Burton Mere Wetlands today, viewed from Border hide.
Also spotted crake seen on main scrape first thing.
-- Edited by Phil Panton on Wednesday 22nd of September 2021 10:02:22 AM
-- Edited by Phil Panton on Wednesday 22nd of September 2021 10:03:11 AM
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Sep 21 5:34 PM, 2021
The Wilsons Phalarope was still present at around 14.45 hrs, on the Reception Pool, viewed from the Bunker Hide. Good scope views although, whilst I was there, it moved further away after being spooked. Since then, it would appear to have flown to the Border Pool from where it is currently being reported.
An incredible 17 Great White Egrets and 32 Ruff were seen in front of the Inner Marsh Farm hide.
60+ Swallows were flying above the pasture by the hill fort.
1 Common Whitethroat and a couple of Stonechats were seen amongst a patch of dead sorrel and bindweed near Burton Marsh Farm.
Chris Harper said
Sun Sep 12 7:37 PM, 2021
Highlights of today's High Peak RSPB group trip from 9-1
Cattle Egret, 5 Great White Egret, 2 Water Rail, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Cettis Warbler, 6 Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Egyptian Goose, 3 Ruff, Dunlin, 20+Common Snipe, 8 Little Egret, 2 Raven, 15 Black Tailed Godwit, Barnacle Goose, Kingfisher, 3 Goldcrest, Treecreeper.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Aug 8 5:14 PM, 2021
After seeing my first target American Wader at Hoylake (see The Wirral thread) I headed to Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB to see if the second one would be added to my 2021 yearlist!
On arrival the news was that it had flushed at 11.30am, over an hour earlier, flying out onto Burton Marsh with Lapwings. I still headed round to the 'new' Border Hide to see what I could see. Only 2 birders were present but they had had the bird just 10mins earlier but only for a minute before it flew off towards the Reception Pool. Just 20mins latera message came through that it WAS on that pool so I hoofed it round the reserve back from where I'd come! On arrival I folowed directions and immediately was watching a Pectoral Sandpiper (record shot attached) on the edge of the smallest island in the lagoon. Views were very distant but good in the scope. Lots of birders hadn't seen it so I let c.20 folk view it through my scope just so that they didn't miss it if it decided to fly again. Luckily it stayed put for all and I returned to watching it too and grabbing some record digiscoped shots). A couple of Swifts flew over the pools, a species I haven't seen for a while and these may be my last of the summer so were nice to see.
When the Cheshire App bleeped today with news from Burton Mere Wetlands I was baking. So I leisurely finished the Elderflower and Lemon Drizzle Pudding, made lunch and then got myself ready to head out!!
On arrival the car park was less busy than I expected and the first person I spoke too had negative news. However, I'm not sure that she was the best person to ask as when I walked up to ask warden Meghan at the Visitor Centre she confirmed that the rarity had been present constantly and was still there right in front of the reception bulding!! As masks were requested and mine was in the car I viewed from outside the building and watch a beautifully brick-red plumaged Long-billed Dowitcher feeding in amongst Black-tailed Godwits on the main lagoon. The bird showed really well, albeit I was looking directly into the sun so photographs weren't really possible other than sihouettes! Also on the same reception lagoon was a Spotted Redshank, again showing well.
I left around 4pm when both birds were still present and, the dowitcher especially, will be looked for first thing tomorrow morning.
Chris Harper said
Sun Jul 18 2:26 PM, 2021
9.30-12
Very hot few hours and a fair few Horse flies, but some good birds and other wildlife seen (see other thread).
Water Rail, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 10 Little Egret, 15 Black Tailed Godwit, 3 Raven, 2 Cettis Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 8 Reed Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, 6 Common Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, 3 Avocet, Curlew, 2 Common Buzzard.
Doc Brewster said
Tue May 25 10:01 PM, 2021
Another mini visit to Burton Mere Wetlands was made today when news broke of a re-find there. On arrival I went to the Bunker Hide where the bird had been seen from and there was no sign of it. I joined a couple of folk in there (it's 4 people only and masks to be worn by the way!) and we started searching. Over 1hr 40mins had gone by when I rediscovered the bird, a Glossy Ibis, out beyond the juncus on the wet grassland. I immediately shouted it out to all and the news was put out which led to many more folk arriving. I got everyone who came onto the bird and then left the hide to allow others in. On arrival at the Reception area I was asked where I'd found it and as I pointed out the directions I found it again from there!! Scopes were produced and all the staff and volunteers got on it as well as folk just arriving. I had to leave but I think it showed for the rest of the day. This was my 200th species for the UK in 2021 and sort of self found (or self re-found!!) and a rarity to boot. A distant cropped digiscoped shot attached. Not a bad mornings birding, very enjoyable indeed!
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 25th of May 2021 10:04:01 PM
I didn't intend to go anywhere today but news of a rarity at Burton Mere Wetlands got me out of my lethargic mood!
I arrived to find a few folk already on site but to be honest not as many as I (or Graham) had expected. Walking down to the Reception area I found that the bird was on the Reception Scrape where it had been relocated since its discovery earlier on Bridge Pool. For reasons too complicated to go into I had no binoculars with me () but luckily I did have my scope! I was soon watching a nice 1st year Bonaparte's Gull on the back of the island picking around on the water amongst the Black-headed Gulls. I left site at 1.15pm when it was still on the island but news has since come through that it flew back to Bridge Pool and the last report that I have of it being there was 2.50pm.
It was hard to digiscope but I've added a montage of shots to this post.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 23rd of May 2021 03:49:33 PM
Hobby through, 2 Yellow Wagtail, drake Gargany, 3 Spotted Redshank in stunning summer plumage, Green Woodpecker, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 30+Avocet, 2 Wheatear, Stonechat, Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Cettis Warbler, 3 Common Whitethroat, 8 House Martin, 30 Swallow, 10 Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, Marsh Harrier, 18 Lapwing, 100+ Black Tailed Godwit, Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff and a possible Cattle Egret flying near Little Egret colony.
Craig Higson said
Sun Apr 25 7:29 PM, 2021
Not all within the reserve area - Denhall Lane as far as Decca pools then back down to 'the point'. Nothing spectacular, just all the usual suspects. Egrets out in force, with at least three sightings of Great White. Warblers back in force with Cetti's, Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge, Reed, Chiffchaff, Blackcap. Two Hen Harriers reported but not seen. Plenty Sand Martins at Decca Pools.
Tony Coatsworth said
Sat Apr 24 2:52 PM, 2021
Of note today Avocet, Spotted Redshank, drake Garganey, Common Whitethroat and Reed Warbler
Chris Harper said
Sun Apr 18 4:26 PM, 2021
10-12 this morning.
Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 7 Cettis Warbler, 5 Marsh Harrier, 2 Great White Egret, Green Woodpecker, 4 Dunlin, 30+ Avocet, Curlew, 8 Lapwing, 7 Common Buzzard, Common Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Shoveler, 3 Raven, 16 Little Egret with many nesting.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Dec 4 2:29 PM, 2020
News broke this morning of a 'good bird' at Burton Mere Wetlands and so with a morning to spare I headed that way.
On arrival I was informed that the bird in question had flown c.20mins before I had arrived, drat!! Given the direction in which it had flown I set out to try and find it and was greeted with the news from 2 returning birders that it had been seen from Marsh Covert Hide. On arrival there only 1 occupant (great for social distancing!) but no sign of the bird for at least 20mins again! So next I headed off along the boardwalk and up to the viewpoint below the bird crop field. As I scanned with bins a largish white bird was seen on a distant spit on one of the lagoons. I rapidly got my scope set up and onto it and as I had suspected I had re-found the 1w Glaucous Gull that had first been seen on the Visitor Centre Lagoon earlier. No other birders had braved the cold, wet conditions to venture this far so I went in search of someone to tell them that it was here! I passed the news on and my attention turned to the covert area just past the viewpoint. After giving it a really careful scan with bins I eventually found a Woodcock hunkered down amongst the dense cover. Again I managed to get a few birders onto the bird which was now starting to move ever so slightly. In fact later when I took more birders back it had walked off to hunker down somewhere even more obscured. Having another check on the gull for new arrivals I discovered that that had gone too but only 5mins later it was spotted flying in from the Shotwick Lakes direction and it landed on the pool in front of where I had originally found it. I rattled off a few record digiscoped shots, but the bird was a long, long way off. Back at the Visitor Centre a Little Stint was on the lagoon and a report later had 15 Cattle Egrets from the track to Bunker Hide. But I had to leave as I only had the morning spare, but what a productive morning
After probably 10 failed attempts in the last 10 years or so finally my luck changed at 15.30 today with a great view of a Spotted Crake from the main scrape at Burton Mere.
Was in and out of the reeds, grass and sedge viewed from the left of the main hide. Showed for about 10 minutes and at 1 point ran across the mud giving cracking views.
Decided on a quick mooch to see the Hudsonian Godwit on Monday not my type of birding ,the hide was cahos Just too full for me and people waiting outside, Good job I took the scope as it was pointing in between peoples heads to see the bird which in the end showed well pic attached. Also 12 Greenshank were great to see with all the other regular waders, great white egret and Peregrine also. It's a fabulous reserve.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 20th of August 2024 07:35:26 AM
Had planned a short visit to Burton Mere Wetlands today but that pesky Hudsonian Godwit nearly scuppered it! I risked setting off with fears of a full car park but luckily I arrived before any crowds and got parked very easily. When I left however the overflow car park was in use due to numbers arriving to twitch the godwit.
I headed straight round to the Railway Bridge and started to scan the railway cutting. Folk I had met had given me negative news re the Redstarts that had been present for several days, no-one had seen them despite looking. However one couple said that Merlin on their phone had indicated Redstart in the correct area. So I was hopeful! I heard a high pitched call that I was suspicious of so tried my Merlin and BINGO : Redstart calling! I just had to see it now. So I continued the vigil and had good views of 3(2m) Blackcaps, a Whitethroat, 2 Great Tits, a Robin and a Dunnock, but no Redstart! Then about 30mins after the Merlin confirmation of a call 2 birds flew west across the railway cutting and when I got onto the first one in the bush in which it had laded there it was an immature Redstart. Immediately an adult male Redstart appeared next to it and both showed really well before disappearing into deep cover not to be seen again!
Rather than go to see the godwit, which I had seen and photographed well on it's first day, I headed back to the visitor centre. Scanning the Visitor Centre Lagoon I picked up 10 Ruff, 3 Dunlin, 9 Snipe, 2 Common Gulls and lots of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 19th of August 2024 08:51:44 PM
As we were on our way from RSPB Old Moor(stage 1 - see thread) to RSPB St Aidans (Stage 2 - see thread) we got news of the Hudsonian Godwit's return to Burton Wetlands. Having successfully connected with the Caspian Tern, we returned to Greater Manchester for a change of driver and headed further west. Luckily for us, the traffic hold up on the M56 was on the eastbound lane so we were fairly quickly at the reserve and enjoying our second Mega of the day, albeit against the light. Having got "eyes on" from the visitor centre we relocated to a slightly better viewing spot to have a better look. Again, definitely more of a one bird visit, but Mike A and I did test our lucky streak by going to look for the little group of Redstarts reported from the area around the railway bridge. It had run out
Many thanks to Mike and John for the shared driving. A Grand Day Out.
I was pleased to catch up with the Hudsonian godwit at Burton Mere Wetlands on Tuesday, my 4th in the UK following birds at Blacktoft RSPB (1983), Meare Heath, Somerset (2005) & St Andrews (2020). It was asleep most of the time that I was there but it did occasionally preen and flap it's wings to reveal the diagnostic black underwing.
Late post for yesterday (02/06).
Highlights of a wander about included:
2 Marsh Harrier
Black-Tailed Godwit, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Avocet, Redshank
Wigeon, Pintail & 2 Ruddy Shelduck
Sedge, Cetti's & Reed Warblers.
Burton Marsh was even better with 3 Cattle Egrets, 1 Great White Egret, 6 Wheatears, 3 Swallows, also 1 Greenshank and 2 Goosanders on the flooded marsh. Also a male Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels and the first Whitethroat of the year.
68 species in total for both sites.
Combined highlights and dips
4 Barnacle Geese (feral?) very distant towards the new bridge 15/03
1 Dunlin (alpina) among the Knot within the Godwit flock 15/03 - mainly Back-tailed but with a sprinkling of Bar-tailed
Ruff - 2 from the visitor centre and 3 among the Godwits etc. 15/03. 3 on the scrapes between the hides 24/03
Spotted Redshank 5 from Bridge Pool/Screen 15/03 later joining the Godwit flock.
Sand Martin 3<5 at the visitor centre just before closing time then c20 over the car park 24/03 - year tick
Chiffchaff 1st of year for me 15/03 Many more around 24/03 and showing very well
Cetti's Warbler 1st actual sighting of the year 24/03
Dipped Green Woodpecker and Egyptian Goose both days.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Sunday 24th of March 2024 10:57:05 PM
Pink-footed Goose (16 over)
Barnacle Goose (4)
Egyptian Goose (2)
Shelduck (5)
Shoveler (11)
Gadwall (18)
Wigeon (c.75)
Teal (c.45)
Tufted Duck (12)
Little Grebe (1)
Water Rail (2)
Avocet (46)
Oystercatcher (1)
Golden Plover (c.125)
Lapwing (c.150)
Bar-tailed Godwit (5)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.175)
Dunlin (5)
Little Egret (3)
Great Egret (2)
Marsh Harrier (2)
Kestrel (1)
Cettis Warbler (3)
Species seen - 49
A quick walk down by Nets Cafe/Decca Pools, overlooking Burton Marsh, added a pair of Goosander, at least two more Great Egret, several Little Egret and well over a hundred distant Pink-footed Goose. Then the rain started.
Visit from 09:00-11:00 before the trip to Hilbre.
Barred Warbler was seen briefly at 9:45 near border hide. Also Long Tailed Duck, Kingfisher and Cettis Warbler.
Photo from Vicky attached.
Highlights of today's High Peak RSPB group trip from 09:00-14:00
Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Wood Sandpiper, 7 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, Green Sandpiper, 10 Ruff, 12 Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Peregrine Falcon, 3 Marsh Harrier, 5 Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Knot, 8 Golden Plover, 3 Egyptian Goose, 40 Pink Footed Goose, 100's of Black Tailed Godwit, Green Woodpecker, 10 Snipe, Raven, 5 Pintail.
Curlew Sandpiper 1
Greenshank 1
Ruff
Snipe
Spotted Redshank 3
Redshank
Black-tailed Godwit
Marsh Harrier 1
Cattle Egret 1
Great White Egret 1
Little Egret
Raven 2
Yellow Wagtail 1
etc.etc.etc.
Highlights on the Marsh from Station Road.
Wheatear 1
Stonechat 2
Wigeon
Pintail
Meadow Pipit
Curlew
Raven 4
Marsh Harrier 1
etc.etc.etc.
the Black-winged stilt was present again today but highly mobile around the reserve
Today 10:15-14:30
Black Winged Stilt stayed for an hour from Marsh Covet hide, also 3+ Bar Tailed Godwit with 100's of Black Tailed, Little Ringed Plover, 20 Knot with some in summer plumage, 6 Spotted Redshank with some almost pure black, 2 Greenshank, 9 Dunlin, Yellow Wagtail, Green Woodpecker, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, many Avocet, 2 Common Whitethroat, Raven, many Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin, drake Pintail, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Great White Egret, 6 Wheatear.
Some shots attached
Gull-billed Tern was present at border hide yesterday but its appearances were intermittent
savi's warbler singing by screen hide yesterday & still present this morning
Sunday 19/03/023
Following on from the repeat visit toNorth Wales, we called in here to follow the pattern of last month's trip. No Lesser Whitefronted goose this time, all the Pinkfooted geese very distant on Burton Marsh and we failed to find any Spotted Redshank. First summer migrant in the shape of at least one Chiffchaff, a group of 10 Knot among one of the flocks of Black Tailed Godwits, a posse of 32 Grey Herons in one of the reed beds, plenty of calling Cetti's Warblers heard, 10 Pintail (8 drakes and 2 ducks) from the screen hide and at least 4 Great Egrets around the reserve, including "Gary" on his usual pool.
Avocet numbers up to 7 as of yesterday. At least 4 Ruff could also be seen on the main scrape. Other birds of note were a pair of Marsh Harriers constantly active in the reeds by Marsh Covert Hide and several Pintail visible from both the screen & on Border Pool viewed from Border Hide. But at BMW it's all about the sheer numbers. Skeins of Pink-footed Geese were always in the air and 1000's could be seen across the marsh from Burton Point. In fact I've never seen so many Lapwing (literally thousands) as I could see through my scope from this viewpoint. Made me feel very small but instilled a real feeling of wellbeing!
The sound of calling Cettis Warblers was everywhere but this was one of those rare occasions when I actually saw one for more than a second.
Arriving back at the visitor centre I looked out across the main scrape again and noticed 20+ Whooper Swans had flown in since I'd last departed. They were lounging by an island currently occupied by 5 Barnacle Geese. A nice end to the day.
Online picture received from Mr. Rayner showing that the bird does in fact have an orbital ring. Don't have a credit for it so not posted here. I'm sure it, and others, can be found fairly easily on line.
Despite less than idea viewing (westward into late afternoon sun) we managed to find one of the Spotted Redshanks, which obligingly then joined 4 of its' mates. A few commoner year ticks collected during the trip as well, to make it a satisfactory day.
Main reserve:
1 Spotted Crake - juvenile - occasionally showing along the reedy edge from the Reception hide. Didnt see the adult.
1 Wood Sandpiper - juvenile
3 Green Sandpiper
5 Little Ringed Plover - all juveniles
Quite a few Ruff, Snipe & Black-tailed Godwit
1 Kingfisher
1 Great White Egret
1 Cettis Warbler heard
Large numbers of eclipse Teal
Smaller numbers of eclipse Gadwall and Wigeon
Burton Point:
1 Redstart - juvenile male
2 Green Woodpecker - adult and juvenile
A large roving mixed feeding flock of Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits, numerous Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and 1 Garden Warbler
1 Swift with a flock of Swallows and House Martins
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Thursday 18th of August 2022 09:20:14 PM
Long-tailed Duck is still hanging around.
9 Spotted Redshank coming into breeding plumage.
4 Mediterranean Gulls from visitor centre.
1 Yellow Wagtail flew over Bunker hide
Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 20th of April 2022 03:19:00 PM
Highlights:
1 1st winter Little Gull
2 Garganey - pair
5 Spotted Redshank
c8 Bar-tailed Godwit
small flock of Knot - one developing summer plumage
1 Marsh Harrier
3 Cettis Warblers seen - more heard
1 Water Rail heard
Lots of Avocet and Black-tailed Godwits
A few Pink-footed Geese still around - more on the salt marshes
3 Little Egret
2 Swallow
2 Sand Martin
Missed a flyover Osprey by 10 mins!
Quite a successful trip with 64 species seen and a few others heard only.
Highlights include:
Rooks very close along the cycle trail between the main reserve and salt marsh.
Little gull (1st winter) found on the Bridge screen pool, (which gave the best views).
Cettis warbler x3
Little grebe
Garganey drake asleep from the far pool by the railway.
Knot x2
Greenshank x1
Avocet (lots)
Sand martin
Skylark
Stock dove
Marsh harrier x2
Goldcrest
Blackcap
An interesting Chiffchaff, as it was soggy, which gave it an appearance of a Willow warbler.
Egyptian goose x11 (or x2 adults)
No sign of the Long tailed duck, despite making a careful search for it.
Ta!
Ps. A few heard only include: Green woodpecker, Treecreeper and Jay.
A couple of hours on the reserve this afternoon
Long tailed duck and Garganey both visible from the Bridge screen
Marsh Harriers in display flight
3 x Cattle Egret on Border Pool
Chiffchaff in abundance
Pair of Egyptian Geese with c. 8-10 young
Plenty of Avocet in a number of locations around the reserve
Briefest of brief details:-
Loads of Avocets. Saw the Long-tailed Duck at the Bridge screen again - still difficult to connect with though.
Unlike the Garganey, which showed brilliantly well from Border Hide.
Other highlights, my first Wheatear of the year at Burton Point plus one of the regular Green Woodpeckers.
Cetti's Warblers singing from 4 or 5 locations. Lots of Chiffchaff singing.
It all felt very spring like but still needed a "big coat"
Barnacle Goose (2)
Canada Goose (c.1000)
Egyptian Goose (2)
Shelduck (37)
Shoveler (56)
Gadwall (c.75)
Wigeon (min 1000)
Teal (c.350)
Tufted Duck (c.45)
Pheasant (4)
Little Grebe (4)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Stock Dove (3)
Avocet (54)
Oystercatcher (5)
Lapwing (35)
Curlew (8)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.150)
Ruff (2)
Dunlin (1)
Redshank (10)
Grey Heron (29)
Great Egret (2)
Little Egret (2)
Marsh Harrier (1)
Buzzard (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Kestrel (1)
Skylark (1)
Chiffchaff (4)
Cettis Warbler (5)
Redwing (c.35)
1 Spotted Redshank (On scrape in front of reception at 15.00, many thanks to the birders who initially found this bird).
1m Marsh Harrier (Seen with prey he was plucking while it was still alive and fighting, although I could not determine species of the victim).
4 Ruddy Shelducks, 1m+1f Buzzards (Soaring over the site together, very noticeable difference in size),
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Stonechats and 4 Ravens (1 highly vocal).
A noticeable drop in the numbers of waterfowl, especially on the pool/scrape in front of Reception.
The sad remains of at least 10 geese were seen alongside the the pools, a pair of Carrion Crows were tucking into 1 corpse,
whilst a Magpie was dining on another.
Just when it was starting to look bleak for geese however, there was a huge and deafening influx of Canadas and Greylags.
A skein of 18 Pink footed Geese also arrived to graze on the marsh.
Waterfowl numbers appeared less depleted in front of the IMF hide however with Shoveler and Coots in noticeably healthy numbers,
the Welsh pool too held pleasing numbers of fowl, especially Wigeon and feral geese.
3 Great White Egrets were seen together on the saltmarsh, where a large flock of Lapwings rested and seemed quite relaxed, a sure
sign that there were no raptors on the prowl thereabouts.
12-2 today.
3 Bewick's Swan from Bridge hide with a Whooper, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Ruff, 20 Dunlin, 8 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Stonechat, 25 Fieldfare, 4 Siskin, Great White Egret, 4 Little Egret, 4 Raven, Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzard, 7 Pintail, 450 Pink Footed Geese, 30 distant Whooper Swan
Saturday 8th January
It was a pleasure to be out with the Stockport Birdwatching Society for the first time in ages, for the traditional run over to the Wirral and Burton Mere to begin the year's set of outdoor meetings.
Having started the day further up the peninsula, we arrived at Burton Mere around 13.30 with the weather having largely brightened up and a brilliant reserve full of birds to look at. There were lots of ducks including Pintail, Gadwall, Wigeon and Shoveler along with loads of Teal, large numbers of Pink-footed Geese moving around, but my highlight on the reserve was a superb ringtail Hen Harrier cruising past the new Border Hide. I hadn't seen the hide before personally, and it was pretty cool, spacious and definitely a good thing to have opened up some views of the areas by the railway line down there. It was good to see things like Siskin and Cetti's Warbler down around the boardwalk as well as plenty of Fieldfares moving around vocally.
Overall it was a cracking day and hopefully the first of many good trips in 2022. We managed a total of 81 species for the day which did not look on the cards as we got drenched at Wallasey! Amazingly nobody recorded Meadow Pipit on the day and Mute Swan was only seen from the coach on the way home; we were a bit stunned that neither species was seen from a day's birding on the Dee Estuary in January...
See https://stockportbirders.blogspot.com/ for more information on upcoming trips and indoor meetings; February's outdoor meeting is scheduled for Slimbridge WWT, an exciting prospect indeed.
After a trip to the top of The Wirral today I dropped in at Cheshire's premier reserve for an hour or two!
The highlights (and yearticks) included a pair of Egyptian Geese on Burton Mere where they are likely to breed. On the visitor centre lagoon were 5 Spotted Redshanks and a big, mobile flock of Black-tailed Godwits. Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler were both added as I walked round and three additional species made it 8 yearticks here alone (they were Pheasant, Coal Tit and Greenfinch!).
1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 6 Redshanks and 1f Marsh Harrier.
Viewed from Inner marsh Farm hide
2 Pintail (Border Pool), 1 Stonechat and 1 Egyptian Goose (With a missing left foot).
Large numbers of Pink Footed, Canada and Greylag Geese were on the saltmarsh below the Hill Fort.
A female Marsh Harrier, a Kestrel and a least 6 highly vocal Ravens were also seen on the saltmarsh.
Saltmarsh area alongside Station Road
2 Stonechats, 2 Meadow Pipits and 1 Buzzard. A single Fieldfare was feasting on haws with a small group of Blackbirds.
In the Border Hide exactly same time as Chris and we were lucky, some folk had waited an hour for its return. I'd been there c.15mins max when the first-winter Wilson's Phalarope (pic attached) flew in after being reported to have flown over the railway. Excellent views before the Peregrine flushed it. Also on the lagoon were 9 Ruff including a male with a stunning white head and a single Wigeon. Afetr it flew odd I left and looks like a good decision as no further reports!
Quick scoot over to Burton Mere RSPB this evening to see the Wilson's Phalarope.
Not as easy as expected with a no show on arrival at 5pm with people saying it had gone over towards the outer marsh beyond Burton Point. However after 5 minutes in Border hide it flew in and fed obligingly in front of the sizeable crowd.
Image attached.
A further 10 minutes all waders were spooked by a Peregrine and off they went not to return.
2 Ruff, 20 Lapwing, 5 Black Tailed Godwit, 4 Cettis Warbler were also present.
Credit twitter post an hour ago
-- Edited by Phil Panton on Wednesday 22nd of September 2021 10:02:22 AM
-- Edited by Phil Panton on Wednesday 22nd of September 2021 10:03:11 AM
1 Ruddy Shelduck, 13 Egyptian Geese, 1f Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 8 Snipe, 1 Cattle Egret, 2 Pintails,
7 Black tailed Godwits and 7 Little Egrets.
An incredible 17 Great White Egrets and 32 Ruff were seen in front of the Inner Marsh Farm hide.
60+ Swallows were flying above the pasture by the hill fort.
1 Common Whitethroat and a couple of Stonechats were seen amongst a patch of dead sorrel and bindweed near Burton Marsh Farm.
Highlights of today's High Peak RSPB group trip from 9-1
Cattle Egret, 5 Great White Egret, 2 Water Rail, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Cettis Warbler, 6 Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Egyptian Goose, 3 Ruff, Dunlin, 20+Common Snipe, 8 Little Egret, 2 Raven, 15 Black Tailed Godwit, Barnacle Goose, Kingfisher, 3 Goldcrest, Treecreeper.
After seeing my first target American Wader at Hoylake (see The Wirral thread) I headed to Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB to see if the second one would be added to my 2021 yearlist!
On arrival the news was that it had flushed at 11.30am, over an hour earlier, flying out onto Burton Marsh with Lapwings. I still headed round to the 'new' Border Hide to see what I could see. Only 2 birders were present but they had had the bird just 10mins earlier but only for a minute before it flew off towards the Reception Pool. Just 20mins latera message came through that it WAS on that pool so I hoofed it round the reserve back from where I'd come! On arrival I folowed directions and immediately was watching a Pectoral Sandpiper (record shot attached) on the edge of the smallest island in the lagoon. Views were very distant but good in the scope. Lots of birders hadn't seen it so I let c.20 folk view it through my scope just so that they didn't miss it if it decided to fly again. Luckily it stayed put for all and I returned to watching it too and grabbing some record digiscoped shots). A couple of Swifts flew over the pools, a species I haven't seen for a while and these may be my last of the summer so were nice to see.
When the Cheshire App bleeped today with news from Burton Mere Wetlands I was baking. So I leisurely finished the Elderflower and Lemon Drizzle Pudding, made lunch and then got myself ready to head out!!
On arrival the car park was less busy than I expected and the first person I spoke too had negative news. However, I'm not sure that she was the best person to ask as when I walked up to ask warden Meghan at the Visitor Centre she confirmed that the rarity had been present constantly and was still there right in front of the reception bulding!! As masks were requested and mine was in the car I viewed from outside the building and watch a beautifully brick-red plumaged Long-billed Dowitcher feeding in amongst Black-tailed Godwits on the main lagoon. The bird showed really well, albeit I was looking directly into the sun so photographs weren't really possible other than sihouettes! Also on the same reception lagoon was a Spotted Redshank, again showing well.
I left around 4pm when both birds were still present and, the dowitcher especially, will be looked for first thing tomorrow morning.
9.30-12
Very hot few hours and a fair few Horse flies, but some good birds and other wildlife seen (see other thread).
Water Rail, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 10 Little Egret, 15 Black Tailed Godwit, 3 Raven, 2 Cettis Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 8 Reed Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, 6 Common Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, 3 Avocet, Curlew, 2 Common Buzzard.
Another mini visit to Burton Mere Wetlands was made today when news broke of a re-find there. On arrival I went to the Bunker Hide where the bird had been seen from and there was no sign of it. I joined a couple of folk in there (it's 4 people only and masks to be worn by the way!) and we started searching. Over 1hr 40mins had gone by when I rediscovered the bird, a Glossy Ibis, out beyond the juncus on the wet grassland. I immediately shouted it out to all and the news was put out which led to many more folk arriving. I got everyone who came onto the bird and then left the hide to allow others in. On arrival at the Reception area I was asked where I'd found it and as I pointed out the directions I found it again from there!! Scopes were produced and all the staff and volunteers got on it as well as folk just arriving. I had to leave but I think it showed for the rest of the day. This was my 200th species for the UK in 2021 and sort of self found (or self re-found!!) and a rarity to boot. A distant cropped digiscoped shot attached. Not a bad mornings birding, very enjoyable indeed!
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 25th of May 2021 10:04:01 PM
I didn't intend to go anywhere today but news of a rarity at Burton Mere Wetlands got me out of my lethargic mood!
I arrived to find a few folk already on site but to be honest not as many as I (or Graham) had expected. Walking down to the Reception area I found that the bird was on the Reception Scrape where it had been relocated since its discovery earlier on Bridge Pool. For reasons too complicated to go into I had no binoculars with me (
) but luckily I did have my scope! I was soon watching a nice 1st year Bonaparte's Gull on the back of the island picking around on the water amongst the Black-headed Gulls. I left site at 1.15pm when it was still on the island but news has since come through that it flew back to Bridge Pool and the last report that I have of it being there was 2.50pm.
It was hard to digiscope but I've added a montage of shots to this post.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 23rd of May 2021 03:49:33 PM
12:20-14:40
Hobby through, 2 Yellow Wagtail, drake Gargany, 3 Spotted Redshank in stunning summer plumage, Green Woodpecker, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 30+Avocet, 2 Wheatear, Stonechat, Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Cettis Warbler, 3 Common Whitethroat, 8 House Martin, 30 Swallow, 10 Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, Marsh Harrier, 18 Lapwing, 100+ Black Tailed Godwit, Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff and a possible Cattle Egret flying near Little Egret colony.
Of note today Avocet, Spotted Redshank, drake Garganey, Common Whitethroat and Reed Warbler
10-12 this morning.
Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 7 Cettis Warbler, 5 Marsh Harrier, 2 Great White Egret, Green Woodpecker, 4 Dunlin, 30+ Avocet, Curlew, 8 Lapwing, 7 Common Buzzard, Common Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Shoveler, 3 Raven, 16 Little Egret with many nesting.
News broke this morning of a 'good bird' at Burton Mere Wetlands and so with a morning to spare I headed that way.
On arrival I was informed that the bird in question had flown c.20mins before I had arrived, drat!! Given the direction in which it had flown I set out to try and find it and was greeted with the news from 2 returning birders that it had been seen from Marsh Covert Hide. On arrival there only 1 occupant (great for social distancing!) but no sign of the bird for at least 20mins again! So next I headed off along the boardwalk and up to the viewpoint below the bird crop field. As I scanned with bins a largish white bird was seen on a distant spit on one of the lagoons. I rapidly got my scope set up and onto it and as I had suspected I had re-found the 1w Glaucous Gull that had first been seen on the Visitor Centre Lagoon earlier. No other birders had braved the cold, wet conditions to venture this far so I went in search of someone to tell them that it was here! I passed the news on and my attention turned to the covert area just past the viewpoint. After giving it a really careful scan with bins I eventually found a Woodcock hunkered down amongst the dense cover. Again I managed to get a few birders onto the bird which was now starting to move ever so slightly. In fact later when I took more birders back it had walked off to hunker down somewhere even more obscured. Having another check on the gull for new arrivals I discovered that that had gone too but only 5mins later it was spotted flying in from the Shotwick Lakes direction and it landed on the pool in front of where I had originally found it. I rattled off a few record digiscoped shots, but the bird was a long, long way off. Back at the Visitor Centre a Little Stint was on the lagoon and a report later had 15 Cattle Egrets from the track to Bunker Hide. But I had to leave as I only had the morning spare, but what a productive morning
After probably 10 failed attempts in the last 10 years or so finally my luck changed at 15.30 today with a great view of a Spotted Crake from the main scrape at Burton Mere.
Was in and out of the reeds, grass and sedge viewed from the left of the main hide. Showed for about 10 minutes and at 1 point ran across the mud giving cracking views.
New bogey bird now European Storm Petrel.