The recent changeable and at times very wet weather has not prevented some good sightings on the reserve. This includes Butterflies, Damselflies, Dragonflies, Lizards, as well as Yellow Flag Iris and many Marsh Orchids.
Yellow Flag Iris and many Marsh Orchids by S.Ryde
Birds of Prey are being seen regularly, including our breeding Marsh Harriers, Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Kestrel, and an occasional fly past of a Red Kite.
The Bar-tailed Godwit numbers have increased steadily to almost 200 by Saturday 1 June and the male Garganey is seen regularly. Over 90 Gadwall have been counted on Centenary Pool and Yellow Wagtails down toward the new view point past the Bunker Hide are seen on most days.
It is the time of year to look out for our “Baby Birds”. Our current Family Trail has this as its subject, and apart from the broods of Geese and Mallard young which are growing up rapidly, it is a good time to look out for other fledglings being fed by parents or even youngsters present on the feeders.
A family of Great Tit is furiously feeding there at the moment.
Coot with chick by L. Greenstreet
Even more wildlife to be seen!
Butterflies, Damselflies and Dragonflies continue to provide great photography opportunities for our visitors and on sunny days the Common Lizards can be seen basking on the fence near Reedbed screen.
Common Lizard: John Hewitt
Star Sightings
Hirundines have been very active over the reserve with House Martin, Swallow and excitingly a pair of Sand Martins who have been excavating a hole in the new Sand Martin wall. Then 100+ Common Swift, (not part of the same family as the above birds but actually part of the Apodidae family), seen hunting low over the main scrape on 24 May, was a great site to see for the visitors.
Photos. John Hewitt.
Wardens Wanderings.
At this stage in the breeding season the wardens are restricted in the work that can be done. However the warm wet weather has encouraged an amazing amount of growth, and they are working hard cutting back along the footpaths to keep them passable for all.
Warden team working hard clearing vegetation, keeping paths clear by S. Ryde
The Café.
Our café goes from strength to strength and had a record day on 27 May. The menu continues to grow with jacket potatoes with a variety of fillings, and homemade quiche, recent additions.
Our homemade cheese and tomatoes quiche by H Ounifi.
Get Involved
We have some great Wildlife Wander events coming up at the end of June and early July, lead by very knowledgeable and passionate team members who has been part of the reserve for over 10 years, so keep an eye on our website for more events this Summer, https://events.rspb.org.uk/deeestuary ane follow us on facebook.com/RSPBBurtonMere/
Join Mersey Ferries and RSPB on 30 June and 31 August for another one of our Bird Watching & Wildlife Cruises on the River Mersey and Liverpool Bay.
We also have a great new kids quiz trail around the Mere Trail and the Gorse Covert Wood which the whole family can get involved in. We will also be offering some great Explorer Backpacks to hire for the kids this Summer.
We are always looking for more volunteers to join the team, so if you are keen on learning more about this fantastic reserve and the wider work the RSPB does and you would like to make a difference then get in touch or apply direct here: https://tinyurl.com/5cs4774t
We hope to see you all very soon.