Anybody who has been down to Burton Mere Wetlands recently will have realised that it isn't just the fantastic mosaic of wetlands that are of interest. There are good amounts of woodland too and there is perhaps no better time of year to explore woodlands.
Right now we have umpteen species of birds investigating potential nest sites including some of our newly erected nestboxes. At times it seems as though every nook and cranny is on the potential list for future homes! As if that behaviour wasn't interesting enough many birds have already begun to sing to attract mates and establish territories. Whilst the trees are leafless it is much easier to locate singing birds, trust me.
The feeding stations are very busy places as nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers and various tits and finches feed busily, a bullfinch has even been seen too whilst the nyger seed feeder regularly attracts siskins.
Oh and don't be worried if you hear strange croaks, groans and squeaks coming from the Marsh Covert woodland adjacent to our reedbed, that'll just be the resident herons building there nests - one pair has set up home and are clearly vsible from the footpath leading to the Marsh Covert hide :)
Despite one or two cncerns the higher pitched "squealing pig" noises coming form the reeds themselves are the secretive water rails establishing territories and not wild boars or micro-pigs!!!
And if birds aren't your thing then perhaps the rapidly emerging flowering plants will catch your eye, already the carpet of native bluebells are pushing through. Ther is even a rather nice Hellebore flowering towards the back of the car park.
Recent Sightings (All Burton Mere Wetlands unless otherwise stated): Golden Plover (inc. a summer plumage individual), Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine, Great White Egret (Mostly at Parkgate marshes), Spoonbill (juvenile mostly at Parkgate marshes), White-fronted geese (mobile but occasionally at Burton Mere Wetlands), Ruff, Spotted Redshank (Inner Marsh Farm), Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Crossbil (flyover x6), Fieldfare, Redwing.