Recent sightings
The week started well at Burton Mere Wetlands with single hobby, greenshank, Cetti’s warbler and four yellow wagtails the highlights amongst the resident cattle egret, a good count of shoveler (112) on the main scrape and the long-staying green and common sandpipers close to Reception Hide on Reception Pool.
On Tuesday, two spotted flycatchers were found on the railway embankment adjacent to Burton Point Field, whilst the four spoonbills from last week returned to the main scrape for much of the day. The big news of the day, however, was the week’s star sighting (see below)!
The wildfowl numbers are gradually growing with six species of duck now around; mallard, gadwall, tufted duck, teal, wigeon and the aforementioned shoveler. Canada goose numbers are thinning out and being replaced by greylags whilst the first handful of our favourite pink-footed geese arrived at the weekend.
The wader migration slowly gathers momentum, with peaks of six ruffs, two little ringed plovers, and occasional spotted redshanks joining the flocks of snipe, lapwing and black-tailed godwit.
A solitary, very late swift flew over Reception Hide on Sunday, whilst warm spells have encouraged some late dragonfly activity, with common darter, brown and migrant hawkers, and red admiral, comma and small copper butterflies still on the wing on Wednesday.
Star sighting
The undoubted pick of the week was the juvenile pallid harrier, first seen on Tuesday over Parkgate marsh and then various parts of the estuary including close views from Denhall Quay at Burton Marsh. Even better, on Wednesday and Thursday, it made an appearance at Burton Mere Wetlands, flying right over the main scrape giving fantastic views from Reception Hide. Since Thursday, occasional reports have continued to come in from around the estuary.
Pallid harrier by Andy Davis
Wardens’ wanderings
It’s been a week of more extensive mowing in the tractor around the wet grassland, opening up views and clearing the tall grasses and dense rush for the growing flocks of wildfowl and waders to feed on.
Get involved
It’s looking like a decent weather forecast for our Hilbre Low Tide Birdwatch guided walk with Wirral Rangers on Saturday, and there’s still chance to book on...
Meanwhile, there is a planned road closure at the Burton end of Puddington Lane starting on Thursday 13 September for up to five days, for resurfacing work. However the times of the closure are from 9.30am-2.30pm each day, so if you are visiting us outside of those times you will be unaffected. Access via Puddington Lane will be fully open throughout the work. Any queries, give us a call on 0151 353 2720.