As usual this year the weather has been at its most unpredictable. After returning to some lovely sunny days during week ending 21 September, we are back to constant rain. Despite having all 10 of our sluice gates open, water levels have remained very high, and the muddy margins around the pools that we try to have for the migrating waders have not been there.
Star Sightings
After having lots of Black-tailed Godwits and a good number of Ruff last week, this week has seen few waders. Green Sandpiper and Greenshank are the main sightings. Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Stonechat are also regularly seen.
Green Sandpiper S. Ryde Kingfisher J. Hewitt
Our raptors are still busy busy with frequent sightings of Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel . Out on the saltmarsh away from Burton Mere Wetlands, Hobby and Merlin are still being seen and at least one Hen Harrier has been reported.
Merlin. S. Ryde
Several Cattle Egrets have been reported, mainly from the area around Burton Point. Up to 12 Spoonbills are still at Parkgate and the number of Pink-footed Geese around the Estuary now exceeds 5000.
Cattle Egrets at Burton Mere Wetlands S. Ryde Spoonbills at Parkgate. J. Hewitt
The wintering ducks are returning to the Estuary with 800 Pintail and 500 Wigeon counted on the last monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count. Many are out on the estuary, but they are also seen on the Burton Mere Wetlands pools, together with many Teal.
Wigeon S. Ryde Pintail S. Ryde
Wardens Work
Other than the constant fight with the water levels, this time of year sees the wardens working hard on the vast amount of undergrowth that grew this summer. So, when you visit you may see them at work cutting back on the islands and around the pools. Whilst this causes temporary disturbance to the birds, it improves the habitat when completed.
The other time consuming and laborious job that they have completed recently with the help of our volunteer workers is to remove the fencing put up at Point of Ayr to protect the breeding Little Terns and Waders. This has to be done as the winter High tides would remove it for us if we left the fence in place. All the posts and wire panels all have to be cleaned, rolled up and the stored.
What’s new.
Our new 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!
Due to current vacancies in the team, there are some slight changes to opening times of the Visitor Centre and Cafe for the autumn; the Cafe opens at 11am, serving it's usual fresh menu including breakfast butties and a couple of new hearty winter warmers for lunch. The Visitor Centre will remain open as consistently as possible, but there may be occasional closures depending on volunteer availability to provide a sufficient staffing level, sometimes at short notice; these closures will be communicated as best possible on our social media channels.
Events.
Our next Binocular and Telescope event is Sat 5 and Sun 6 Oct. So do come along and see what we have in store and ask our friendly and knowledgeable team for help and advice
A High Tide Wader Watch is to be held at Point of Ayr on Thursday 17 October, 8.30am - 12.30pm. For full details and to book for this please see the events tab on the website.