It’s Autumn on the reserve, and colours are starting to change, but the warm, wet weather means that there are still lots of leaves on the trees. Most of the summer visitors have left, but some have now become resident, and we get other visitors stopping off on their way south.
Star Sightings
At least one Yellow-browed Warbler has been seen around the reserve during the last week and we had a visit from a single Whooper Swan at the beginning of the month, rising to three on Friday and a group of five seen on Burton Marsh. Cattle Egrets are being seen occasionally on Burton Mere Wetlands or otherwise amongst the sheep grazing on the marsh just over Burton Point.
Yellow-browed Warbler Photo RSPB Whooper Swan Photo J. Hewitt
Although most of the other warblers have left, we still often hear the now resident Cetti’s Warbler calling and Chiffchaff and Blackcap have been seen. Stonechats are around, perching on the reed heads and Long-tailed Tits, Nuthatch and Tree Creeper also seen.
Blackcap Stonechat Photos J. Hewitt
Raptors are about with the Sparrowhawk sometimes trying his luck near the feeders. Others seen are Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, & Kestrel . The first grey male Hen Harrier has been reported from Parkgate and Burton Marsh.
Sparrowhawk Photo J. Hewitt
Thanks to some drier weather, we are managing to get the water levels down gradually and the waders are returning to the main scrape with large numbers of Black-tailed Godwit as well as Ruff, Lapwing, Green Sandpiper and Snipe. Golden Plover can sometimes also be found hiding among the flock.
Black-tailed Godwits with Greylag Goose Photo J. Hewitt
Pink-footed Geese are becoming increasingly impressive, with their distinctive sound often filling the air. Although spending little time on Burton Mere Wetlands at present, flocks of varying sizes, sometimes thousands, make regular movements overhead between the estuary and inland feeding sites.
Wardens Work
Work has continued to clear the ditches to try and get the water levels down, but little has happened in cutting back around the scrapes as the very wet ground has meant that it is impossible to get the tractor out to these areas yet.
What else?
The latest addition to our Café menu is a delicious Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Curry. The café is open from 11am until 4.30pm so do come along and enjoy.
.
As the days get shorter, we have just two weeks left of the after-hours access for this season. After the clocks change on 27 October, the reserve including car park will close in line with the Visitor Centre; 5pm for the last few days of October, then 4.30pm from 1 November to 31 January.
Our Autumn quiz trail all about “Creatures of the Night” is now available to try out. Just £1.50 per quiz.
Suitable for all the family, grab a quiz trail sheet and a Burton Mere Wetlands pencil from the Visitor Centre and see if you can answer all the questions!
And don’t forget we have a large range of pin badges available. If you can’t find what you are looking for in the boxes, just have a word with one of the staff.
Events.
High Tide Wader Watch at Point of Ayr
Thursday 17 Oct. 8.30 – 12.30
To book for this please use the link to events on the website.