Birding Group Visit to Burton Mere Wetland and Inner Marsh Farm 17th September 2012

Birding Group Visit to Burton Mere Wetland and Inner Marsh Farm 17th September 2012

The Second date of the new birding term for our group was to Burton Mere Wetlands. In the main hide we could see a large number of  Greylag and Canada Geese. There were high numbers of Lapwing around thirty Black-tailed Godwits. A single Little Grebe was there and a small flock of Shovellers. Mallards were plentiful and from the side window of the hide we could see four Buzzards in the sky and a single Marsh Harrier. There was also a Black Swan but the best sighting was undoubtedly a Bar-headed Goose that was keen to give everyone good views.

There were Nuthatches, Goldfinches and Great Tit on the feeders as we walked down to the fat hide. At the far hide the water was very quiet with a few Teal and Mallards but not much else. This was made up for with views of two Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzards. Apart from those, there were a few Lapwing and some Swallows.

We went back to the reception hide again to see of anything new had turned up but it was pretty quiet. We did see a falcon which we generally thought was a Hobby. The other birds seemed unconcerned by it so the idea of it being a Peregrine was discounted. There certainly were lots of dragonflies around the site so there was plenty of Hobby food.

It was still just mid-day so we decided that we had time to go over to Inner Marsha Farm to see what was hanging out on the far pool that can’t readily be seen from any of the Burton Mere hides. This turned out to be a good idea because we were immediately rewarded by good views of a Curlew Sandpiper which was a lifer for me.

Additionally there were at least four Spotted Redshank and three Golden Plover. Again there were lots of Lapwing and Greylag and Canada Geese. There were some Shovelers and just in front of the hide, four Common Snipe. There were also Teal and lots of Black-tailed Godwits. We also got a Marsh Harrier.

In the end we had a great day and got some good ticks even though the density of birds was not quite what we expected. Perhaps it is just a bit early in the autumn.

Bird Sightings : Burton Mere Wetlands : Reception Hide

Bird Sightings : Burton Mere Wetlands : Far Hide

Bird Sightings : Inner Marsh Farm