Sitting here writing in the pouring rain, it's not just some of the birds that are beginning to give the impression of autumn. After the glorious heatwave which took us up to the solstice, we've had almost a week's worth of showers and again some stiff breezes that hardly feel like June.
Yet just as we were getting a taste of hot summer, some of the birds were beginning to behave like autumn is on the horizon. Perhaps most noticeable are the growing gatherings of avocets on the main scrape, including fully fledged youngsters, preparing for their southward migration in the coming weeks. I always enjoy seeing them in flocks, at the beginning and end of their season in the North West, as their monochrome plumage is all the more striking.
It's been an average year for their breeding here, with around 30 young currently across the reserve from just over 40 pairs (exact figures will be confirmed by wardens following their final surveys). However they're one of the first birds to desert us after breeding, some leaving in July and usually absent by mid-August, heading back to their winter homes on the South coast. If you're keen to see them one last time before they vanish for winter, don't leave it too long to visit.
Avocet flock by Lynne Greenstreet
It's not just the behaviour of our breeding birds that hints of autumn on the horizon; wetlands like this serve as a vital staging post for 'passage waders' on their long journeys from the Arctic to tropical and sub-tropical winter residences. Spotted redshanks are usually the first to return in June, and a single bird early last week rose to three showing well on the main scrape at the weekend. Not far behind, a single ruff still in almost full summer plumage was a real treat at the weekend, whilst occasional little ringed plovers have popped up on various muddy spots across the reserve, followed by a green sandpiper today. Increasing numbers and variety of waders could appear any day, so get looking and don't be afraid to ask if you spot something you're unfamiliar with!
Not to be outdone are the ever-present black-tailed godwits, who are finding the water level on Reception Pool increasingly appealing which makes for brilliant close views from Reception Hide and Bunker Screen. Most are still the immature birds who have been here throughout spring, but the first returning adults from Iceland will soon be joining them in their beautiful russet hue.
Black-tailed godwits by John Hewitt
Regular readers of our blogs will have seen Al's recent update about the grey herons and little egrets, many of whose young are frequenting the pools around Marsh Covert Hide as well as still spending plenty of time in the treetops. Likewise the cattle egret nest is still going strong, with patient, lucky visitors enjoying glimpses of the adults or the single chick, which should be due to fledge in the next few days and hopefully offer better viewing.
As throughout the spring, a number of great white egrets have spent a lot of time in the reedbed and egret colony, but with no evidence of nesting. The past week has seen a brace of spoonbills return and show around Burton Mere Wetlands and out on the saltmarsh; will we see any more arrive through the summer like last year?
Other highlights on the main scrape are the Mediterranean gulls, whose nesting attempt has so far been difficult to assess whether they have chicks due to the dense vegetation on the island, but hopefully time will tell. Another unusual sighting has been a varying number of sandwich terns, peaking at 14 birds and seen most days over the past week or so.
It's a tough time of year for seeing birds in trees but of the warblers, reed, sedge, Cetti's, and grasshopper warblers have all been making themselves known along the Reedbed trail and Farm and Fen trails, the latter two more often heard than seen. Over the weekend a family part of green woodpeckers was finding its feet - or wings - between the car park and Reception Hide, and along the Burton Mere trail towards Bunker Screen.
Green woodpecker by John Hewitt
Other recent highlights include a couple of broods of little grebes, an adult great crested grebe on Bridge Pool, the return of 'the' kingfisher by Reception Pool on Sunday, yellow wagtail around the barn and wet grassland fringe, and grey wagtail fledglings near the footbride by The Mere. It's a notoriously quiet time of year for birds of prey, with the best being occasional sightings of hobby, marsh harrier being seen over Burton Marsh and up towards Parkgate, along with the resident kestrel, buzzard, and sparrowhawk.
Finally, non-bird highlights include a family party of stoats near the barn on Tuesday, whilst the bee orchids continue to shine. Really exciting news is the discovery of a new orchid species on the reserve, a broad-leaved helleborine. Just a single spike can be seen near the bee orchids, and should be in flower in the next week. If flowers are your thing, why not book onto our wildflower walk in celebration of National Meadows Day this Saturday, for a lesson in plant ID and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the reserve's hay meadow where some special flowers thrive.