Recent sightings
A brilliant week with gorgeous weather has meant we have had lots of beautiful butterflies like red admiral, comma, peacock, small tortoiseshell, orange tip and brimstone along with the common lizard basking in the sunshine.
From the visitor centre we have had up to nine Mediterranean gulls showing off on the scrape and the black-tailed godwits are looking very smart in their rusty summer plumage now. The little ringed plover has made another appearance on the main scrape this week along with a scruffy looking ruff. The main star on the scrape are our avocets that are starting to nest now around the right hand side.
Swallows, sand martins and house martins all back so far and are seen most days towards the end of the reserve feeding over the fields during the day then they seem to head towards the visitor centre at the end of the day.
The reedbed area has Cetti's warbler singing away and we are still getting sightings of the bearded tits from Reedbed screen and Marsh Covert hide. Around the reserve, chiffchaff and blackcap are now more visible and you can hear their beautiful songs as you walk around.
Green woodpecker reported normally first thing in the morning and toward the end of the day on the field on Burton Point feeding on the left hand side on the ground. From Marsh Covert hide and Bridge screen we have had fantastic views of pintail ,wigeon, gadwall, tufted duck, teal, shoveler, shelduck and spotted redshank.
The fields opposite Bunker screen seem to be attracting the cattle egrets, they are seen most mornings feeding on the worms in that field.
Inner Marsh Farm hide is full of activity but the main highlight this week for most was the female long-tailed duck seen over on Border Pool.
Star sighting
Star sighting for the week was two little gulls. One immature bird seen at first over the main scrape and then, joined by an adult, showed really well for a few days from Bridge Screen. They have been very stubborn and not moving even when the black-headed gulls have been mobbing them while they feed.
Little gull by Alan Coe
Wardens' wanderings
Assistant warden Liz and a couple of the volunteers have been busy as always. This week mowing the paths and getting things ready for spring. The team started their monitoring of breeding waders, with surveys of lapwing, redshank and avocet nests and the numbers are looking good at this early stage. Liz has also been out all over the marsh putting in and checking the survey posts ready for a busy breeding season.
Spring lambs by Liz Boone
Finished den building area by Liz Boone
Get involved
The April family quiz trail ‘Brilliant Bluebells’ is out for all the family to learn and get inspired. The bluebells are out now up on the Hill Fort and in the Gorse Covert Wood. Come down and get involved with the whole family and learn something new this Easter.
Reminder:
Parkgate events can be found at rspb.org.uk/parkgate.
The next events to be held at Burton Mere Wetlands are:
Natural History and Bird Book Sale
Bluebells and Birdsong
Dawn Chorus
Burton Marsh Birdsong and Breakfast
Full details for more events and guided walks can be found at rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands with bookings made via Eventbrite.