Burton Mere Wetlands and Connah’s Quay, 15th March 2022

On 15^th March the birding group went to Burton Mere Wetlands. It was a very nice day and we had our eyes on the Long-tailed Duck which had been seen out by the Bridge Screen. We were not disappointed but it was frustratingly determined to stay above the water for as little time as possible.

So we got decent views of the bird but only for a few seconds at a time; not uncommon for these ducks and only satisfactorily viewed after they have fed enough to want to loaf around preening. Still, it was a good year tick.

We also had good views of a Cetti’s Warbler which was in the reedbed about half way up the stalk of a reed but we could see it clearly. Other nice touches for the day was out first Chiffchaff of the year showing very well at head height on a leafless shrub at the back end of the old fish pond. Also around there, we found a mixed flock of Siskin and Greenfinch.

Apparently there had been a Bearded Tit showing from the first scree but we didn’t meet anyone who had actually seen it.

On the scrape the first Avocets of the year had arrived and there were about 30 of them.

\We had a very pleasant morning but we split off from the birding group in order to drive over to Connah’s Quay reserve where we managed tog et a small group of Twite before they left for the spring. The water was a long way out but there were plenty of the usual suspects out on the mud and we sat at a table in the sun for a while just enjoying the warmth and the quiet of the reserve.

A nice morning out with good year ticks of Long-tailed Duck, Chiffchaff and Avocet at Burton and Twite at Connah’s Quay.

Bird Sightings : Burton Mere Wetlands 15 March 2022

Bird Sightings : Connah’s Quay 15 March 2022