Birding Group Visit to Burton Mere Wetlands 30th May 2017

The last birding group morning of May was to Burton Mere Wetlands. Although we had been there a few times recently we hadn’t managed to see the breeding Cattle Egrets. This time we were in more luck; it still took us two tries but on our way back from Inner Marsh Farm we we got excellent views of the pair nesting among the Little Egrets.

According to the RSPB, “up to six Cattle Egrets are frequenting the reserve and favouring the Marsh Covert woodland, where there is one occupied nest.” The staff at Burton Mere have recently created a viewing area, effectively formalising what photographers had already done in flattening an area so they could get photos..

According to the Bird Guides web site “Cattle Egret first knowingly bred in Britain in summer 2008, when 2-3 pairs successfully raised young in Somerset. However, subsequent years saw the species become increasingly scarce in Britain and Ireland once more. ”  After several quiet years, winter 2016/7 produced another major influx of Cattle Egrets to Britain and Ireland, with south-western areas typically claiming the lion’s share of the records. For example, a coordinated census took place in Cornwall on 19 March 2017 which, although coverage of regular haunts was incomplete, produced a total of 75 individuals. Birds have been seen widely across England, Wales and southern parts of the Republic of Ireland, with records as far north as Dumfries & Galloway (Scotland) and Co Antrim (Northern Ireland). Given the scale of the winter’s influx and that good numbers have lingered well in to the spring around the country, it seems unlikely that the Burton Mere Wetlands pair will prove the only breeding attempt this summer.”

Another breeding bird was a Common Tern nesting on the scrape, whose nest was so close to the edge of the water it seems likely to be wshed away if more rain falls.

Apart from the excitement of seeing these birds it was a pretty normal day at Burton with lots of Goslings, Ducklings and Avocet chicks around. Down by the steps leading to Inner Marsh Farm hise we saw a family group of Whitethroats with the adults feeding the fledglings. Elsewhere there were Reed and Sedge Warblers, the latter showing well and even a view of one of the Cetti’s that were singing along the main path. Ao, all in all a it was a nice way to end the month.

Bird Sightings : Burton Mere Wetlands :