Recent sightings
Even though the weather this week has continued to have brilliant sightings across the site. Out in front of the visitor centre there have been some great views of wildfowl including teal, shelduck, shoveler, wigeon, and the occasional pair of gadwall. On the edges of Reception Pool visitors where given an up close and personal view of the elusive water rail as it wandered in and out of the rushes in front of the centre. Flocks of lapwing can still be seen out on the scrape in their hundreds, and in amongst them are dunlin scurrying around the safety of the flock. Also around the scrape are the regular back-tailed godwits and redshanks, along with a flock of curlews which can also be seen feeding out on the fields next to the carpark early in the mornings. Towards the back of the wet grassland there have been thousands of pink-footed geese flying in to roost, as well as whooper and the occasional Bewick’s swans.
The large number of waders and wildfowl draw in the hungry eyes of the raptors, with regular sightings of marsh harriers swooping along the top of the reeds. Other raptor sightings include the hen harrier (ringtail), merlin, peregrine, kestrel and sparrowhawk. A short-eared owl also made a passing visit over the scrape on Monday.
Kestrel in flight (Paul Jubb)
Over at the Bridge Screen plenty of ducks have been showing well including pintails and tufted ducks. Cetti’s warblers have been seen flitting between the reeds and there have been some brilliant sightings of the bearded tits down at Reedbed Screen when the weather has been calm. At the Inner Marsh Farm hide there have been plenty of sightings of snipe and one female goosander.
The crop fields next to the railway bridge have been alive with fieldfares, redwings, mistle thrushes and rooks. The trees along the Farm and Fen trail are full with the chatter of siskins, goldfinches and linnets. Further up at Burton Point green woodpeckers have been seen flying across the field regularly and great white egrets have been spotted across the marsh.
Flock of linnets (Paul Jubb)
Star sighting
On the scrape this week a juvenile golden plover was spotted in amongst the lapwings and in total three where counted. This is the first for this year with hopefully more to come.
Warden’s wanderings
This week Liz the assistant warden along with a volunteer work party went out onto the wet grassland to rake up and burn the reeds that were cut down earlier that week, an essential job to make room for nesting lapwings in the spring.
One of the methods used to manage the marsh is to let sheep graze on it, however when the tide is high it creates a danger to the sheep, so Liz gave a hand to our tenant farmer and helped herd his sheep off the marsh into the farm fields.
Sheep flock on Burton Marsh (Paul Jubb)
Get involved
On Wednesday join us to watch as the highest tide of the month sweeps across the saltmarsh at Parkgate, and witness the wildlife that is escaping the flooding of the tide. This is a brilliant chance to see birds of prey such as hen harriers, merlins and peregrines as they take advantage of the fleeing wildlife and if you’re really lucky there is the chance of seeing short eared owls as well. Full details can be found on our website, here.
Our current Wild Challenge family trail at Burton Mere Wetlands is all about the Big Garden Birdwatch which is happening this weekend! The trail runs to the end of the month but it’s the last weekend to take part if you haven’t already, so why not come on down and have a go? Our bird feeders are always brimming with garden birds and it’s a perfect way to practice your ID skills before taking part in the count this weekend. We have knowledgeable volunteers on hand as well if you have any queries, whether you’re asking about a certain bird or interested about membership, we are happy to help.