The Juvenile Birder

 Knot in May and Nesting Arctic Terns! We first visited RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands at 12:00 in hopes of seeing some Spoonbills. We arrived only to hear that half an hour ago, the Spoonbill were chased of by some gulls at Border Hide, flying towards Wales. So, with our target Spoonbills gone, we then turned our attention to some Knot seen recently, also at Border Hide. We went straight there, meeting a birder who had written a book on the way. When we arrived at Centenary Pool, we spotted two Great White Egrets out on the pools outside the hide. When we walked in, we asked a man who let me look through his scope pointed at a Knot (a life tick). It was behind a huge flock of Black-Tailed Godwits along with three others. It was only in winter plumage, though the man said that the other day there was one in full breeding plumage. It at first was sleeping, then came woke up and waddled closer to the shore, and then finally went back to sleep. We also saw a female Marsh Harrier from Marsh...

 Spotted Redshank and Egyptian Geese! We arrived at 5:30pm in hopes of seeing Spotted Redshanks and Ruddy Shelducks. We first walked round the back of the mere but didn't see much other than a Water Vole crossing the path briefly. We then stopped at Reedbed Screen where we saw two Reed Warblers as they defended their territory. We then arrived at Marsh Covert Hide. I asked someone who let me look through their scope to see a distant, yet stunning Spotted Redshank in summer plumage as it waded and foraged along a strip of green weeds. Also present was a stonking Ruff in breeding plumage, showing brown and blue colouration. On our way back, I saw a bird as it flapped its wings on the back of the mere. At first I thought it was a Ruddy Shelduck but upon closer examination I identified it as an Egyptian Goose, a first for me. A brilliant way to end then day.

  Gulls, Sandpipers and Partridges! We first set of for WWT Martin Mere, seeing a pair of Red-Legged Partridges on the way on Southport New Road in the fields. When we arrived, we headed straight for the UU (United Utilities) Hide in hopes of seeing Cuckoos but had no luck so we headed to the Discovery Hide in hopes of seeing a Ruff in breeding plumage. Just then, two small gulls with black heads were seen bobbing in the water before coming onto the bank. There were two adult Little Gulls in complete summer plumage. A new tick for me! We then headed for Newton Marsh by Clifton Business Center- location pinned to blog- in hopes of seeing a reported Jack Snipe Rob had told us about. We had no luck for Jack Snipe but did see a Wood Sandpiper really close up, about four meters away. Another new tick for me! There were also Avocets, Skylarks, Little Ringed Plovers and Common Sandpipers as well. Lastly, we went to RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands where we saw two Willow Warblers and a male Blac...

  Egrets, Woodpeckers and More Warblers! We arrived early evening in hopes of seeing Willow Warbler, Spotted Redshank and Green Woodpecker, little did we know we'd be seeing 2 out of 3 of those species. We first went to Bunker Hide and examined the bushes closely since a group of Willow Warblers were there this morning. With no luck, we went to Marsh Covert Hide where the Spotted Redshanks were seen but again had no luck. We then went to Bridge Screen where we saw the female Long-Tailed Duck but again no Spotted Redshanks. Lastly, we went to Border Hide for a last attempt at the Spotted Redshanks with no luck. We then continued to Burton Point when suddenly, a lime green bird flew into view. It was a Green Woodpecker, a first for me. We viewed it before it flew off. We then had to tackle the lambs to get back on the railway bridge. We went on the boardwalk to get back when a flitting bird caught our eye. I first thought it was a Chiffchaff but after closer inspection, it was a Will...

 Spring Migrants are Here! We arrived at Burton Mere at early evening. We first went to Bridge Pool where the female Long-Tailed Duck was. We then went on the boardwalk to Border Hide where Common Lizards normally bask. It seemed the the lizards were wise and decided to stay in due to the cold. 85 Knot had been reported on Border Pool so we made our way there. It turns out, a few minutes ago all the Knot were flushed by a Marsh Harrier and went back to the saltmarsh. We then went to Burton Point for Green Woodpeckers with no luck. There were no Woodcock seen on the journey either. We then stopped at the Bridge Screen after spotting some Sand Martins. There were many Sand Martins and at least 2 Swallows skimming over the water. There were also a pair of Little Grebes quite close in beautiful summer plumage. We also saw a male Blackcap in the hedgerow and heard lots of warblers. We then went to the Marsh Covert Hide where we saw a pair of Garganey to end the day.

 Ducks and Warblers! We arrived at 9:40am in hopes of seeing a Long-Tailed Duck. We rushed straight towards front desk to get some information. We found out that it was a female viewable from the Bridge Screen. It had been showing well for two weeks so we'd be unlucky if we didn't see it. We went there straight away, not stopping in any hide. When we arrived, it was there. At the back of the lake, by the reeds, a female Long-Tailed Duck briefly made an appearance before diving down again and then back up. After viewing the duck, we headed up to Burton Viewing Point in hopes of seeing Eurasian Woodcock and European Green Woodpecker. We had no luck with them but did catch glimpse of a Common Chiffchaff by the railway bridge. A nice sign of Spring. We then went back to the mere where some Egyptian Geese had been seen. We only saw a Cetti's Warbler to end the trip.

  So Many Mammals! We arrived very early at 9:40 in hopes of catching a glimpse of the masters at camouflage, the Eurasian Woodcock​. We also were hoping for some Cattle Egrets but they never showed. We quickly viewed the main scrape where we saw many Dunlin, Black-Tailed Godwit and Redshank. We then headed up the Reed and Fen trail and into the new section which was a hotspot for Eurasian Woodcocks, if you're lucky enough to spot one. We thoroughly searched the area, looking for the slightest dark spot or movement but had no luck. We then went to Burton Viewing Point which was a good spot to see Eurasian Green Woodpeckers in the field. 2 people had seen one fly towards Burton Viewing Point but I never saw it. We then made our way to the newest hide, the Border Hide. Along the trail, I turned a corner and, Lo and Behold, there was a Red Fox snooping around the path menacingly, about 40m apart from us. It was just at the bottom of the ramp that leads up to the new hide. It kept...

  Raptors! ​It was our first time visiting Burton Mere. Parking was good and it was our second time visiting an RSPB site. Burton Mere is located near Wales, on The Wirral. When we arrived, we saw a pond with both a Great White and Little Egret along with the usual winter ducks. We walked along the Burton Mere trail at around 1:20pm but didn't see much. We then went on the Reed and Fen trail. We viewed the Reedbed Screen where we saw some Mallards and a Common Moorhen. We then arrived at the Marsh Covert Hide where we saw two Eurasian Coots and a possible Water Rail go past. I didn't get a good look at the Water Rail so it wasn't a confirmed sighting. We then went on a bridge that lead to a boardwalk that went across the reedbed. We then arrived at the Border Hide where we saw Gadwalls, Mallards, Tufted Ducks, Eurasian Wigeons and Northern Pintails. We also saw a flock of Eurasian Curlew fly by as well as some Long-Tailed Tits passing through the trees. We then walked towar...