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

Wirral nature reserve receives VisitEngland Welcome accolade

Burton Mere Visitor Centre - Ron Thomas

Staff, volunteers and visitors are celebrating at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, the popular nature reserve near Neston, following news that the site has been awarded the prestigious Welcome accolade from VisitEngland – one of just six attractions in the North West to receive an award this year.

Attractions across England are awarded VisitEngland accolades in appreciation of the outstanding experiences they provide, with other categories including story-telling, food and drink, hidden gem status and an overall Gold award. The attractions have achieved these awards based on the score they obtained following their annual assessment by VisitEngland, with Burton Mere Wetlands’ Welcome accolade a result of its 100% score on the staff component of the assessment.

Burton Mere Wetlands, the heart of the RSPB Dee Estuary reserve, is increasingly popular with nature enthusiasts of all ages, with thousands of visitors flocking to the site each year to explore its unique visitor centre, extensive trails, breath-taking wildlife spectacles, wild play area and impressive views.

Graham Jones, Site Manager at RSPB Dee Estuary reserve, said: “This is fantastic news for the reserve and we’re sure that our visitors will be as thrilled as we are.

“To achieve a Welcome accolade is such an honour. This award reflects the ongoing hard work by everyone here at the Dee Estuary to deliver an outstanding visitor experience for the many families and individuals who enjoy our wonderful reserve each year.

“A huge thank you goes to our staff and volunteers for working so hard to deliver the highest level of visitor experience at Burton Mere Wetlands. To receive this award in the reserve’s 40^th anniversary year is a fitting recognition of the sensitive development the RSPB has delivered on the Dee Estuary, since our beginnings at Parkgate in 1979.”

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “England is home to world-class attractions right across the country, welcoming visitors throughout the year and offering experiences of the highest quality including excellent food and drink and outstanding customer service.   It is also really fantastic to see these accolades recognising the work of those employees, managers and owners who make sure that all who pass through their doors have a truly memorable experience.”

VisitEngland’s Attractions Accolades, now in their fifth year, can be attained by members of the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme in categories including the Welcome Accolade, Hidden Gem, Best Told Story, Quality Food and Drink and the Gold Accolade for all-round top-scoring attractions.

For further information on the special events and wildlife at RSPB Dee Estuary, visit

https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/dee-estuary-burton-mere-wetlands/

40 years of the RSPB giving nature a home on the Dee Estuary

Harrier over marsh, Parkgate

The popular RSPB Dee Estuary nature reserve is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019. The well-known nature conservation charity first purchased an area of saltmarsh and mudflats the size of 2000 football pitches at Parkgate in 1979.

Doing so created a sanctuary area for the tens of thousands of water birds that flock to the estuary from Arctic regions every year, to spend the cold winter months in the UK. Their numbers had been falling during the preceding years and were at further risk from proposed development and disturbance.

Graham Jones, RSPB Dee Estuary site manager said: “I started coming to Parkgate as a teenager in the 1980s to watch the birds that thrive on the marsh and mud. This place played a major part in growing my knowledge and passion for birds and wildlife and helping me end up in the fortunate position I am today.

“Shortly before the RSPB established the reserve, by purchasing the land from British Steel, there were proposals to build a barrage across the Dee, or create a recreational lake within the marsh at Parkgate. Either of those would have caused the bird numbers to plummet further.”

Since securing the initial part of the reserve on the estuary, originally known as Gayton Sands, the RSPB land holdings have expanded significantly, particularly around the village of Burton, four miles from Parkgate.

Graham added: “The brilliant visitor facilities we opened at Burton Mere Wetlands in 2011 have been a major step in bringing the Dee Estuary’s rich wildlife closer for the public to enjoy easily. Since opening, we’ve welcomed nearly a quarter of a million visits, with excellent wildlife spectacles to be enjoyed every day that continually change through the seasons.

“As well as protecting these valuable spaces for birds to spend the winter, we’ve also undertaken extensive land management to support birds to nest, helping species like exotic avocets establish breeding, the largest little egret colony in the country and for the first time in 2018, a successful pair of marsh harriers raised young. The reserve also supports a whole range of other special wildlife; from the large like badgers and otters, to the small such as insects, orchids and lizards.”

To mark this significant milestone, the RSPB will be running some special events in 2019 to celebrate 40 years of giving nature a home on the estuary. They hope to welcome back those already visiting the site as well as introduce more local people to the extent of this important reserve. The site now encompasses half of the Dee Estuary, including most of the Welsh shore, forming one of the largest protected wetlands in the country.

The reserve team are keen to receive any photos, memories or tales of visitors’ experiences enjoying the Dee Estuary reserve over the past 40 years – or even before, given its rich history. These can be sent by email to deeestuary@rspb.org.uk or posted to the reserve office at RSPB Dee Estuary nature reserve, Burton Mere Wetlands, Puddington Lane, Burton, Cheshire, CH64 5SF.

For further information on the special events and wildlife at RSPB Dee Estuary, visitrspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands.

Parkgate Hen Harrier day vision

We had a dream - to bring Hen Harrier day to Parkgate in 2018. 

If you build it, they will come😃

Fabulous day - thanks to all who volunteered, supported and those who were just out for  a Sunday walk and became better informed😉

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OyGuDvSSl4

https://www.craigjoneswildlifephotography.co.uk/blog/events/hen-harrier-day-2018/20180815864/

Advertising at Martin Mere

Team Liverpool

Iolo 

Jeff did a fantastic job in opening  and closing the speakers  sessions . He really reinforced the fact that Hen Harrier Days need to continue and why we were all there all. Audeince particiation was as ever mandatory🤣👊 

Jeff socks it to Beefy Botham

The first speaker Colin Wells (former manager at RSPB Burton Mere) who spoke about the history of the site and how it is a fantastic place to come and see Hen Harriers in the Winter.👌

Second speaker was Colin's successor as manager at RSPB Burton Mere; Graham Jones spoke about how he was going to continue to protect the site for raptors and  breeding waders.👏

Next up was Alan Davies who talked about Hen Harriers, lifed the audience - He told them that they will lose eventually, no matter how long it takes.😆 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5PoH4-oWgE

Findlay Wilde was on next.Talking about the illegal persecution of upland wildlife and joined the other voices in calling for an end to this barbaric slaughter. Told a personal story about a Hen Harrier called Finn, her life cut down far too soon😡😰.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0n_iKWFOm4

Findlay

After Findlay it was James Bray from the RSPB  Bowland.  Talking about upland species of raptor  that should be breeding in Bowalnd likes Peregrine and Hen Harrier. Stories from the front line of raptor conservation.😡

Next was Dr Mark Avery, who  recapped on the history of Hen Harrier Days and his hopes for the banning driven grouse shooting .👊 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UNxNrdTHmw

Finally  Iolo Williams. Another heart felt,  rousing  speech relating  how  he used to go up on the moors and watch Hen Harriers as a child and yes he's  really 'pissed off' . 😆👍 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brwIAdCucro

Videos courtesy of Stuart pike

Gathering


See you next year 👊🤞👀

Hen Harrier Day 2018

     

We’re missing our Hen Harriers and we want them back.

This year we are marking the Inglorious 12th  on our home patch.. we got it to PARKGATE, so be there

Join the official Hen Harrier Day protest event at Parkgate, Wirral 12noon Sunday 12/8/18.

The Parkgate message to our RSPB members who share their disgust and sadness at this persecution for the sake of a minority's so called  'sport'....

*Satellite tagged Aalin disappeared,  assumed dead

Hen Harriers are still being heavily persecuted by the Driven Grouse Shooting fraternity, already this year two satellite tagged Harriers from this year’s broods have disappeared in suspicious circumstances. England still has fewer than a handful of breeding pairs and nobody is getting prosecuted for the illegal persecution of this iconic species.

It is up to all of us to bring pressure to bear on the powers that be - politicians, the police, the CPS and DEFRA/Natural England to take this situation seriously. To enable us to do that we need to speak with a unified voice and a very loud one. We also need to get our message across to the general public, for whom this issue has little, or of no relevance. We need to get their support if we are going to turn this super-tanker of destruction around. It is for this latter reason that this year we have chosen Parkgate Old Baths as our venue for the awareness raising protest. Till now we have largely preached to the converted, from here on we must ensure that non-birders know just what is going on in the name of ‘sport’.

How can you help? Spread the word, share it on social media ..tell everyone about the event that's taking place and try and persuade them to attend if at all possible. This is a numbers game!

We have some great speakers,

James Bray (Bowland Project Officer for RSPB),

Findlay Wilde (A Young Campaigner on Conservation Issues)

Mark Avery (Author, campaigner and naturalist) pictured with RSPb's Tim Melling

Iolo Williams (say no more) 

Hen Harrier day 2017 Dunsop Bridge

*Missing, assumed dead Aalin

https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/03/21/satellite-tagged-hen-harrier-aalin-disappears-near-ruabon-grouse-moor-north-wales/

RIP - LIA- did'nt make it to her first birthday

http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/2018/07/25/nos-da-to-our-tagged-welsh-hen-harrier-lias-journey-is-over/#more-24227

New book details Cheshire’s history of rare bird sightings

A new book documenting the history of Cheshire and Wirral’s rarest bird sightings is set to be launched at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, near Neston.

Written by two of the RSPB Dee Estuary reserve’s local birdwatchers, Allan Conlin and Eddie Williams, with drawings by renowned illustrator Ray Scally, ‘Rare and Scarce Birds of Cheshire and Wirral’ is a must-have for any Cheshire or Merseyside bird enthusiast.

The event takes place on Saturday 9 September between 10am and 4pm. No booking is required.

The book will be available to purchase, priced £24.99 with 10% of sales on the day to be donated to the RSPB Dee Estuary reserve. Only cash can be accepted for book purchases.

The date coincides with the first day of the Wirral Wader Festival, handy for anybody attending the events at nearby Hoylake and West Kirby.

Venue: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Puddington Lane, Burton, Cheshire, CH64 5SF

Contact: For further details visit rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands or phone the visitor reception on 0151 353 8478 or email deeestuary@rspb.org.uk

https://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/events/2017/09/09/wirral-wader-festival?instance=0

https://www.facebook.com/WirralWaderFest/

15 minutes of missed fame

Hi All,

Well i managed to do it yet again .... missed the Scandinavian birds of paradise (Waxwings, that is) at Parkgate ... as i arrive 15 minutes too late yet again .... Grrr! I think they do it on purpose !

Kestrel - Neil Prendergast

So then drove on towards the baths and saw a Kestrel in the high branches of a tree over the roadway. There was was quite a gathering of twitchers there for the high tide who had their scopes all trained on a female Peregrine falcon on a perch branch out in the marsh surveying the area around it.

Snowy Moel Famau

I was amazed to see snow on the hills on the other side of the Dee above Flint and on Moel Famau. 

Seeing that i had gone to specifically to see the Waxwings. I drove back to the Boathouse pub car park as i didn't want to miss them again and i had cut three apples in two and impaled them onto the short twigs of the berry trees which the birds had been feeding on.

The lure - Juicy apple

 I was determined to wait it out for their return, as i didn't want to let Chris and Laura down after they have kept me informed of the bird sightings on the Wirral over the past week or so.

There were very few berries left and by tomorrow i suspect they will be heading north to another food source and eventually back home across the North Sea to Scandinavia.

While waiting for the returning birds a Heron flew over from off the marsh.

Grey Heron - Neil Prendergast

After a while i was getting cold, so retreated back to the warmth of my car.

I waited two hours and at 14:00hrs a swall came in followed by heavy rain and i just happened to look over to the berry trees and saw the birds had returned.

Waxwing - Neil Prendergast

I hurriedly wound my passenger window down and started taking photo's ... not the best of light but beggars can't be choosers.

The birds only stayed for a few minutes when they were disturbed by a high sided van that passed closely to the trees.

All my efforts in positioning the apples on the branches to entice them to stay was all in vain. As they were more interested in their usual red berry diet.

I watched them fly off to a tree about 50 yards away and they just stayed there in the tops of the branches digesting their berries.

Thirty minutes later they were back again feasting on the red stuff ....

Waxwing feeding on red berries - Neil Prendergast

By this time it was getting on towards rush hour on the M56. So decided to call it a day.

I wonder and hope if they will return next year, as they are a real treat for the eyes.

Neil .......

Prepare for an awesome autumn spectacle on the Dee Estuary

As summer draws to a close, the Dee Estuary enters arguably its most exciting time of year due to the arrival of vast flocks of birds returning from their Arctic breeding grounds. The RSPB is inviting visitors to take part in a series of events across their Dee Estuary nature reserve to share some of the most impressive natural spectacles in this region.

Dan Trotman, Visitor Experience Manager for RSPB Dee Estuary nature reserve, said: “I’m a huge fan of autumn, it could even be my favourite season of the year. The reserve here comes into its own, supporting thousands of wetland birds as they swap the cold Arctic for our warmer climes. High tides around the equinox make for some excellent wildlife watching too, pushing the vast swathes of ducks and wading birds into closer view along with the birds of prey that hunt them.”

The Dee Estuary is home to the largest little egret colony in Northern England and, with earlier sunsets which are another special autumn attraction on the Wirral, it becomes easier to witness the daily spectacle of over 300 flying in from the marsh to their night-time roost.  To celebrate this wild wonder, ‘An Evening with Egrets’ guided walk is taking place on Saturday 8 October at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands. The event costs £6.50 per person (£5 for RSPB members), half price for children. Booking is essential by phoning 0151 353 8478 or email deeestuary@rspb.org.uk.

Visitors can also take part in ‘Autumn Arrivals’ on Saturday 15 October at RSPB Point of Ayr near Talacre. This short guided walk involves crossing beach and sand dunes so suitable footwear and a decent level of fitness are required. The event is free of charge, but donations are welcome. Booking is essential by phoning 0151 353 8478 or email deeestuary@rspb.org.uk.

To experience the autumn tidal phenomenon, join ‘Parkgate High Tide Watch’ events on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 October at the Donkey Stand and the Old Baths car park on Parkgate parade. Suitable for people of all ages and abilities, these events are free of charge, but donations are welcome. RSPB staff and volunteers will be on hand with telescopes and binoculars to enhance the impressive views. Timings vary depending on the tides, so visit rspb.org.uk/deeestuary for more details.

Dan added: “You don’t have to be an avid birdwatcher to appreciate the vast numbers of birds that call the Dee their home at this time of year. These upcoming events are planned to showcase these awesome natural occurances and show why it’s so important for the RSPB to keep almost half of the estuary under its protection. So pop on an extra layer or two, and come along, we’d love to see you!”

For further information on events and wildlife at RSPB Dee Estuary, visit rspb.org.uk/deeestuary.

Wader Conservation World Watch.

http://www.waderquest.org/p/the-wader-quest-team.html

WADER CONSERVATION WORLD WATCH

Wader Conservation World Watch. 

Part of Wader Conservation November

A celebration of wader conservation and conservationists.

7th & 8th November 2015

Its as simple as A,B,C.

A.     Go out and see waders/shorebirds wherever you are in the world.
B.     Send us an email telling us what you have seen and where.
C.     We'll create a list the species seen between us worldwide.
D.     Look for you name on the roll of honour on this website.

It is that easy; no registering required just good old-fashioned bird watching... oh! And an email.

This is your opportunity to show your solidarity with, and appreciation of, wader conservationists around the world be they professionals or volunteers.

Go and see waders: because you can!

WIRRAL WADER FESTIVAL

This year the UK will have its first dedicated wader festival.

Join us for the 

Wirral Wader Festival

14th - 15th November 2015

http://www.waderquest.org/p/wirral-wader-festival.html