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Guided Birdwatching in Cheshire and Lancashire

Our bird-filled day out at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands and Martin Mere WWT



Our day started in great form at Parkgate Marsh as we caught up the Great White Egret, had good views of the Spoonbill as it flew in and landed on the marsh, and enjoyed a wonderful fly-by by both a Merlin and Hen Harrier.

Parkgate Marsh

Parkgate Marsh, where we also enjoyed Barnacle Goose amongst 900 Pink-footed Geese



Next stop was the RSPB reserve of Burton Mere Wetlands.

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands 2

From the Reception Hide, we watched a Spotted Redshank fly in and dash around the lagoon edges, close to a group of Pintail



Pintail close up

It's really worth studying elegant Pintail close up to admire the detail of their plumage



We walked out to the second hide passing Siskins feeding in the Alder, while Black-tailed Godwit fed in the shallows of the lagoon and a flock of White-fronted Geese landed out on the marshes.

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands 1

Looking across to the reception hide at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands



Next a quick stop at Mere Sands Wood LWT Reserve, where we briskly marched to one of the hides overlooking a clump of reeds. We were in luck, one of the reeds broke cover and dashed across a narrow gap revealing itself as a Bittern before its cryptic plumage made it once more almost invisible amongst the reeds! However, through the Leica scope we were able to focus in close and enjoy great views of this bird as it caught a fish.

We arrived at Martin Mere WWT at feeding time. First briefly for a warming lunch for us in the cafe,and then we headed out to the hides where the wild swans and geese were already gathering for the feast.

Whooper Swans Group 1

Hungry diners waiting for feeding time



This really is the place to enjoy great close up views of Whooper Swans.

Whooper Swans Group 3

Closer and closer they came as food was scattered on the bank for them.



Pintail 1

Of course, it's not just swans that enjoy a free meal, such as this drake Pintail coming in close for food



Whooper Swans Group 2

Whooper Swan single 2

Alan R birding

Alan enjoying the view



Whooper Swan single 3

In fact, the swans came so close that we couldn't fit the whole bird in the shot!

Big Foot

Big Foot!



Shelduck

I'm a Shelduck, Get me out of here!



We walked to the Ron Barker Hide to look out over the marshes. Anne had mentioned earlier that she really wanted to see an Avocet.

Avocets and Teal

Mission accomplished! Two Avocets were feeding close to the hide and a further 6 more were asleep on the lagoon



In all directions there were plenty of birds to enjoy.

Martin Mere WWT

The birds were certainly disturbed by something, perhaps the Marsh Harrier that flew in and landed in a nearby tree



Anne R birding

Anne enjoying some raptor-watching



Martin Mere WWT 2

We enjoyed wonderful birding at Martin Mere WWT until the last of the daylight



But our birding day hadn't quite finished. As we drove away into the dusk, a Barn Owl flew ghostlike over the fields before disappearing behind a barn appropriately enough! What a fitting end to our wonderful bird-packed day. our thanks go to Anne and Alan for making the day such fun!

If you'd like to join us on one of our great birdwatching days out, email us on info@thebiggesttwitch.com for details of our forthcoming daytrips and tours.


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