With one of the biggest tides of the year on the Dee Estuary, we headed over to Parkgate to enjoy the spectacle with hundreds of other birders. As the tide pushed ever closer to the embankment, we were treated to views of thousands of birds. Waders shifted en masse as their feeding areas became covered in water, wildfowl floated up the estuary on the rising tide, but it was the raptors who stole the show. At least two ring-tailed Hen Harriers made repeated passes getting ever closer as their hunting ground shrank beneath them. The views were breathtaking of these graceful and agile birds of prey. The harriers were supported by two Peregrine Falcons, at least two Merlins, a Sparrowhawk, three Kestrels and a brief appearance by a Short-eared Owl, not a bad list just by standing in one place and watching the estuary. A Water Rail broke cover and half-flew half-ran across the rising waters and dived headlong into a nearby hedgerow.
A little further south, the floodwaters had reached Burton Marsh on the Inner Dee Estuary. Again a wonderful bird spectacle played out before us with masses of waders and wildfowl on the move. But we had come to see some special visitors. Three Garganey had been found feeding on the flood just north of Denhall Lane. These summer migrants from Africa were very early in their return and it was a real treat to enjoy these beautiful diminutive birds, two drakes and one duck, feeding amongst the gangs of Teal. A family party of four Bewick’s Swans loafed on the marsh just beyond.