Sunday 1st March 2026: Shore Lark, Burton Mere and Parkgate reserves on the Dee Estuary

 We planned a birdwatching day in Cheshire today, heading initially to Mow Cap where a Shore Lark had been reported over recent weeks. We walked past the historic castle here along a muddy track, arriving at a gate beside a muddy and marshy field. Kayte quickly spotted the target bird feeding amongst the grass and puddles just a short distance from the gate. We had failed to find a Shore Lark in Norfolk this year, so it was great to pick up this bird here, and it was a lifer for the others in the family group. Also of note here was a Raven being escorted away from the area by an aggressive Carrion Crow!

Blurry mobile phone shot, Shore Lark

Next we drove to RSPB Burton Mere, a wetland reserve. There were plenty of Avocets here, feeding close to the visitor centre, together with good numbers of Lapwings, and a few Oystercatchers dispersed amongst them. A couple of Golden Plover stood on a muddy island, then a troupe of Black-tailed Godwit flew in, settling by the water’s edge. A Marsh Harrier was seen hawking over the marshes, putting up many of the waders as it passed by.

Around the reserve there were plenty of wildfowl, but nothing unusual. From one of the hides, fifty five Grey Heron, perched around the edges of a marshy pool was a noteable occurrence. 

We continued along the boardwalk to Border Hide, where the godwits had now settled, joined by a few Redshanks and a solitary Dunlin. A Stock Dove was found here too, a new bird for the girls. Retracing our steps, a single Curlew flew overhead, adding to our waderfest for the day.

Back at the visitor centre, we were informed that Whooper Sean and Barnacle Geese were on view from another hide on the opposite side of the reserve. With a tip-off from another birder we found the swans, miles away in a distant field. Luckily this man was very kind and set up his scope to allow us all to view the birds. They were still very distant for me, but Kayte with her younger eyes said she could see the yellow bill. I was also keen to see the Barnacle Geese, a new annual tick for me. Once again, our knight in shining armour put the scope onto these, easier to identify and see clearly despite the distance.  With a tally of over forty species, we decided to move on in search of new species elsewhere.

We drove a short distance to another location on the Dee estuary at Parkgate. As we drove along the road at least five Great Egrets could be seen out on the saltmarsh, with long necks and dagger like yellow bills. As we drove into the RSPB car park overlooking the marsh, a Spoonbill was standing on the bank of a pool of open water, with a fluffy plume blowing in the wind. Initially roosting, it soon revealed the distinctive spatula shaped bill from which its name is derived - another lifer for the girls. And finally for the girls, decent numbers of Pink-footed Geese flying into land out on the  marsh was their final lifer for the day, before we headed for home.

Avocets