The last time I was at Burton Mere was November 2021, so a return was long overdue, not helped by the weather.
Just a quick digress, didn't Hazy and Mike enjoy going to Burton Mere?
I've not seen any postings for a while, so I hope they're both ok.
Thursday looked to be a decent day, so it was planned to make the three hour drive, well, almost four actually, after some imbecile decide to to ram into another's vehicle on the M6 just after I got onto the motorway....
I had heard there was a long tail duck frequenting the wetlands, and I hoped to catch a glimpse at the very least, but it was not to be. It had been there in the morning, but I guess it heard I was coming up and fled!
But the pintails were in clear view, and that more than made up for it.
First sighting of the day, avocets from the Bunker Hide
Also very prolific.....
Don't you just love them.....
A buzzard soared overhead as I headed back for a cuppa and bite, before moving on.
Mr & Mrs Shovelor keeping an eye each on what's going on
Mr & Mrs Teal plus the Teal neighbours, with intrusive Canada Geese!
You may also see a broken egg shell just in front of the Canada Goose on the right.
More avocets came in to view, still whilst in the Bunker Hide
After the cuppa and bite, time to move round to the screens and other hides, seeing this lonesome great crested grebe on Woodland Pool
Just as I was about to move on to the Reedbed Screen, the view and light along this ditch just needed photographing. I did wonder whether to use the polariser as well, but in hindsight, the Star 6 was plenty adequate.
Around to the Reedbed Screen, and a couple of little grebes were on the water
Plop!
Missed it!
Though it did emerge with what looked like some sort of crustacean/shrimp/prawn/crayfish creature.
Time for the wet look....
One last pose before moving on
The Bridge Screen and Marsh Covert Hide were very quiet, so it was on to the Bridge Screen, where the long tail had been seen earlier in the morning, but alas, it was not to be. So onto the Border Hide, the views across the pools and with high tide imminent in the next 30 mins or so, the waders looked busy....
A solo wigeon...
No long tail, but the pin tails were very much in view....
As expected, black tail godwits
Even some were sleeping!
Some were flying....
The pin tails came back in to view
Mrs & Mrs PT decided after swimming so gracefully across the water, with the sunlight making photography impossible, to move and moon!
A headless shelduck! Alas poor shelby......
And a shelduck with head....
No weekday visit to Burton Mere would be complete without seeing this big birdie!
"Splish splash, I was taking a bathLong about a Saturday night, yeah"
[Bobby Darin]
A lonesome wigeon, though others were around
and this wee fella was calling for someone....
More black tail godwit activity
more splashin' around.....
"Lookout chaps, I'm coming in....."
And this birdie was on her way back home....
And so was I (but not on board, I had to drive home via the delightful M6) after a good day out....
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Kind regards, Ann
gaynorsl said: Great photos Mike of your day out in Burton Mere, I love the plumage on the Godwits and those pintails are quite special too as are the Avocets.
Thank you Gaynor, I never need much of an excuse to get out with the camera, but any encouragement is always welcome.... LOL
Its a shame what happened to the reedbeds just a little further downstream at Neston and Parkgate.
TJS said:Hi Mike,
Thank you Trevor.
I'm used to driving, so it doesn't really bother me, until I get to the fuel pumps these days (I try not to look at the price on the pump, nor the receipt). For a couple of years during the 80's I drove HGV's and buses for a living, so eight hours on the road was the norm. But I do limit the driving to three hours, ish, to enjoy the day and not lose too much time driving. After that, then it is look for accommodation.
If I didn't, then I wouldn't see many of the fabulous birds we have.
Unknown said:A lovely collection, Mike--thanks for posting. I read earlier about the awful fires on the Dee Estuary--sounds like it may have been some idiot being an idiot. Hope Burton Mere was not affected.
Thank you Ann.
From what I understand the fires were deliberate and affected the Neston Reedbed and around Parkgate, but not the actual reserve. At Parkgate there is a pub close to the reedbed edge, plus a public park a little further along.