An amazing run of spectacular birds continues at Burton Mere Wetlands with a Glossy Ibis being first seen on Saturday again on Sunday and even as I type the bird is still present.
These little egret sized birds usually migrate to Africa for the winter but in certain years several individuals find there way to our shores, some staying for long periods. These purple-brown birds appear dark in the field and are almost instantly recognisable by their long down-curved bill, in silohoutte they resemble a large curlew.
This particular individual has been favouring a damp rushy area behind the main scarpe but has been seen very close in front of both the Reception Building and the Marsh Covert hide.
With the great white egrets still present plus the recent sightings of spoonbill, bittern and cattle egret the Dee Estuary could be mistaken for the Mediterranean coast, what next ... ?
Other recent sightings at Burton Mere Wetlands include - 10's whooper swans, 2 Bewick's swans, 7 European white-fronted geese, 100's pink-footed geese, male and female hen harriers, jack snipe, siskins, redpoll, kingfisher.
Elsewhere on the reserve, 20 short-eared owls aon Burton Marsh, 3000 black-tailed godwit at Point of Ayr and at least 4 hen harriers at Parkgate