Gone for a Burton

Saturday being forecast for being a rather dank and dreary day had us heading off to Burton Mere RSPB reserve it has a very family friendly visitor centre which has put some birders off the place but a nice warm hide and welcome from the great wardens there means we like the place. Plus it has some great birds usually on show.

On arriving we noted a rather empty car park, thus we new the Lesser Scaup had indeed done a bunk, as it turns out it hasn't travelled too far only as far as Shotwick, must like industrial architecture.

A volunteer warden told us about a Water Rail that was showing on and off very well just to the side of the visitor centre and offered to throw a bit of seed out to lure in the shy little chap, and no sooner than a couple of hand fulls were thrown out out he popped. Always a pleasure seeing these birds and more than made up for not seeing the Lesser Scaup (even if it would have been a lifer). It also allowed me to try out my new toy, a Canon 400mm f5.6 lens, its great bit of kit, I do love a bit of camera gadge, only my bank balance and wife keep my spending in check.

Water Rail Burton Mere

Other birds on show from the visitor centre were Golden Plover, Redshank, Avocet, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Lapwing, Teal, Shovler, Black Headed Gull, Tufted Duck and Coot.

Wandering down to the other hide which faces Inner Marsh Farm, we also noted Siskin and Nuthatch.

From the far hide there was not a great deal on show but we did see a pair of Greenshank which added to the tally quite nicely and a year tick to boot.