RSPB Liverpool Group RSPB Burton Mere Trip and Boathouse Xmas Meal 7th December 2019

Peregrine hunting at Burton Mere - JBinks

And so we came to the group’s last field trip of 2019 – the annual visit to RSPB Burton Mere, followed by Christmas lunch at The Boathouse, Parkgate.

On a mild, grey day we started in the visitor centre (Reception Hide) overlooking the main scrape, scanning the water and islands for waders and ducks, and were rewarded with… a male peregrine, sitting on one of the islands, choosing lunch from the ‘menu’ of water birds around it. After a while, it took off, flying low over black-tailed godwits and wigeon, then, clearly still undecided, returned to its island. 

Marsh Harrier - J Binks

A marsh harrier seemingly perched on some reeds (obviously a post in amongst them) caught our attention then, and so some of us missed the peregrine, lunch choice now made, taking off again, selecting a black-tailed godwit and settling down with it. But no! Lunch wasn’t to be: a carrion crow had other ideas, and we watched in awe as the peregrine, thoroughly frustrated, chased one bird away, putting on a spectacular turn of speed, then flew off empty-taloned.

All the gang. -  Paul Wakelam

Speaking of Christmas, it was time for the group to split up. Some made the short journey to the Boathouse and a fine Christmas lunch attended by a male hen harrier, great and little egrets, and views of three marsh harriers in the skies at the same time over the marsh. One of our number lingered at Burton Mere, enjoying a pleasant wander through the crisp leaves along Gorse Covert woodland trail, with views of a sparrowhawk amongst the trees, and a final visit to Reception Hide, which produced two marsh harriers interacting in the sky over the reedbed.

Thanks to all group officials, volunteers and members for another great year. Don’t forget to get your year lists off to a good start with us on 11th January 2020.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Debs

Burton Mere day list

Blackbird, Black-headed gull, Black-tailed godwit, Blue tit, Canada geese, Carrion crow, Cetti’s warbler, Chaffinch, Coal tit, Common buzzard, Common redpoll, Common shelduck, Common teal, Coot, Curlew, Dunlin, Goldfinch, Great black-backed gull, Great tit, Great-spotted woodpecker, Greenfinch, Greylag geese, Herring gull,  Jackdaw, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh harrier, Mediterranean gull, Moorhen, Nuthatch, Pheasant, Peregrine, Pink-footed geese, Pintail, Raven, Redshank, Robin, Rook, Shoveler, Siskin, Sparrowhawk, Stock dove, Wigeon, Wood pigeon

Parkgate – additional species

Great egret

Hen harrier (male)

Little egret

Man who perseveres with rails gets run over by train

BMW's Water Rail - Neil Prendergast

Hi All,

Over the past few months I have driven over to Burton Mere Wetlands a thousand times ... (and yes, I know you have all told me a million times not to exaggerate ;-) and although I have seen glimpses of a kingfisher in the distance, I have always just been too late and missed not only the boat but the famous (for the want of other words) Water Rail there. 

So on Friday I decided to drive over and chance my luck again for a rare sighting hmmm!

When I got to the Tee junction of Burton village there was a road sign saying that the road was closed ... no explanation or for how long Grrrr! ... So had to retrace my steps back to the main Chester road and enter Burton via Puddington village. 

BMW reserve improvements in progress

I eventually arrived at the Burton RSPB site, walked in through the reception doors to be greeted by very excited members all flapping about like Lapwings .. (pardon the pun) and happened to over hear the illusive name of the Water Rail being mentioned.

I made a B-line to the window and was able to see it partly in the reeds by the waters edge. So I quietly opened the side door of the reception leading to the wooden walkway outside and got a clearer view of it and without having to take any photo's through the double glazing windows of the building.

I was promptly followed by another two people with cameras, one being the full time RSPB warden ...

From then on, a hail of camera shutters could be heard throughout the land, which made the Rail a little uneasy as they are at the best of times, just with the Moorhens and Coots that intimidate and bully it off the feeding areas and yes, being that Panto time of year again "They where behind it" ... but Water Rails never listen to you anyway, so why bother trying 

So all in all, I was very fortunate to have gotten a few photo's of it before it scampered quickly to the opposite side of the reception building.

 Rail with fish - N Prendergast 

To which I did stalk it (pardon the pun) to the other side and again, was very lucky to have photographed it with a small fish (a stickleback I presume ?) that it had just caught in its mouth, which was a real bonus.

So in those immortal words of Confucius .... he say, "Man who pelseveres with lails, either get lun over by tlain if in wong place ," but if in light place, get the pelfect picture of the correct Rail with fish and no chips."

("Man who perseveres with rails gets run over by train if in wrong place," but if in right place, gets perfect picture of correct Rail with fish and no chips.)

Egret - Another BMW favourite -Neil Prendergast

Neil

Happy new year to all our members and followers

So as we say goodbye to 2013 we find several of our clan (who are secret ticker rivals) dashing to Denhall Quay, Burton in search of rarities to finish the year off.

Siberian Chiff Chaff - L Bimson

They weren't disappointed as they were treated to  great views of Buff bellied pipit and Siberian chiffchaffs.

Gt Northern Diver-  R Blythe

And on the other side of the Mersey, a Gt Northern diver admired the storm battered pier at Southport Marine lake!

But that's not the only good news, RSPB Liverpool is on the up with more people joining our clan. Some are seasoned birders who probably know more than they're willing to admit, and then there are the novices like Brian & Janet, who only joined us last month at the December indoor meeting. Yesterday Brian sent me an email.

' My first photo of a Kingfisher  last week thought you might be interested, all the best'

Kingfisher - B Johnson

You bet we're interested Brian, it's always nice to see what folks are up to and what they've seen. Always happy to share, as I believe we learn a lot from others. 

So I hope we'll see you all in 2014, lots of great speakers, lots of great field trips and a few RSPB events at a well known park and on the high seas!

See you all on the Sunday 5th January?

http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/Liverpool/events/

Laura (Bimo the Comms)