Recent Sightings
Winter came to the reserve this week with snow on the ground on Tues 19 Nov. However, visits to Burton Mere Wetlands can be enjoyed whatever the weather with a roaring fire going in the visitor centre and warming hot food in the café.
The contractors have now finished all the work on the scrapes, and the birds are enjoying the new islands and scrape edges. The raptors have been busy with slightly better chance of grabbing a quick meal, as demonstrated by our local Sparrowhawk.
Sparrowhawk by Paul Jubb
Star Sightings
All our wintering duck species, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Gadwall, Shoveler, Shelduck and of course Mallard are all being seen in quite large numbers and are now looking fine in their new breeding plumage.
Among the usual wader species Knot, Dunlin and Curlew are being seen and a Spotted Redshank was present on 17 Nov.
All three Egret species (Great, Little and Cattle) are seen most days, with the Cattle Egrets mostly seen amongst the sheep. These species may be seen flying into the roost near the meres together with a few Cormorant, and the latter may be seen during the day in their favourite tree.
Cattle Egrets. Photo J. Hewitt Cormorant. Photo P. Martin
In all over 50 species may be seen most days on the reserve. Other than the usual wetland species, Siskin are seen daily in the Alders together with Long-tailed Tits, Goldfinch and occasionally Goldcrest and Redpoll. Also regular in the wooded areas are Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, with Fieldfare and Redwing seen resting in the treetops.
Siskin Photo S. Ryde Tree Creeper Photo S. Ryde
Goldfinch. Photo J. Hewitt Long-tailed Tit. Photo P. Martin
The Starlings gathering at dusk have not continued, after being disturbed by our Marsh Harriers, but up to 7 or 8 Harriers have been seen coming into roost in the reedbed in the early evening. A ringtail Hen Harrier was over the reserve on 19 Nov, and a Water Rail seen in front of the visitor centre on the same day, together with fleeting glimpses of the Kingfisher.
At the end of last week our latest visitor has been a Short-eared Owl.
What else is on?
The Café is gearing up for Christmas, with the Christmas tree lit up and Christmas goodies such as Turkey and Cranberry Paninis and Mince pies on offer.
Café opening hours are 10.30 – 16.00 daily
Our Autumn quiz trail all about “Creatures of the Night” is 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!
Don't forget the shop for all your Christmas goodies and free delivery with orders over £15. Profit being generated directly for this reserve.
Events.
High Tide Wader Watch at Point of Ayr Wed 18 Dec. 09.30 13.30
This event is now fully booked, but keep your looking on our website for further “Wildlife Wanders” and “High Tide Bird Watches” in 2025.
Please note the seasonal reserve opening times as we move into autumn and winter.
The reserve including Visitor Centre and Car Park close at 4.30pm. Café hours are currently 10.30am – 4.00 pm
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