Star Sightings
The MEGA rare bird, found late on Monday evening on our reserve was a “HUDSONIAN GODWIT. This is a North American bird and only the 10th record in the UK. The last recorded sighting was on Shetland in 2023, and the last in England was in Somerset in 2015. This Godwit is slightly smaller than our regular Black-tailed Godwits and much darker in plumage with a noticeable black underwing.
Photo. D. King
The above photo shows the Hudsonian Godwit centre with a Black- tailed Godwit to its left and a Bar-tailed Godwit to its right.
Other than this rare bird there have been regular sightings of many other waders including Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Ruff, Dunlin and Snipe.
Raptors, including Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Hobby and Merlin are also regular visitors, and warblers including Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat are still about.
More Wildlife.
Recent sightings have included a Small Red-eyed Damselfly, a new species for the reserve, and Butterflies have included Painted Lady and Purple Hairstreak.
Photos. J Rogers
Photo. R.Thomas
Photos. J. Hewitt
What’s new?
Our new garden Path is proving very popular, and it is around the garden pond that the Small Red-eyed Damselflies have been seen.
Our exciting quiz trail all about the 'Mysteries of Migration' is still 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!
We have some new ranges on display in our mail-order shop. Great adult and child gift ideas, stylish new nestboxes and the RSPB HD binoculars have a great price drop on them. If you are local then pop in and get them direct from us and support your local reserve.
Events.
Our Wildlife Wanders have been such a success that we have decided to hold another.
Join our friendly and highly experienced guide for an inspiring and informative walk across the reserve to spot all the wonderful wildlife we have to offer.
Wildlife Wander, Tuesday 3 Sept
Our next Binocular and Telescope Day is on Sunday 8 Sept. 10am – 3pm or you can drop in anytime and see what we have in store and ask our friendly and knowledgeable team for help and advice.
For any bookable events and to see all our event information go to the webpage: RSPB Dee Estuary events