RSPB Burton Mere - 23 Sep 19

Today I paid another visit to the RSPB Reserve of Burton Mere wetlands on the east side of the Dee Estuary at the base of the Wirral peninsular. Here are a few images.

A head-on duck Teal. In this close view we can see the dark line from the bill and through the eye; also the small pale area at the base of the bill. You do need a good view. The less frequently seen but very similar duck Garganey shows a more prominent dark stripe and larger and more obvious pale area.

A side-on view of a different duck Teal. The most obvious feature here, and one visible at long range, is the white mark on the side of the tail.

As readers know Gadwall ducks are a particular favourite of mine. Here a pair having completed their post-breeding moult. The drake shows the chestnut plumes on its back.

A drake in profile.

A talkative pair. Ducks pair up as soon as they complete their moult – sometimes earlier.

Say ‘ah!’

“Give is a kiss”

A good size comparison between a duck Teal in the foreground and the Gadwall in the background. The Gadwall is a rather instructive bird: the breast pattern is that of a drake but these normally show an all-black bill. The bill exactly matches a duck Gadwall. Must be a drake born this calendar year and moulting in to its first adult drake plumage.

The size comparison is less obvious here. A pair of Gadwall in the foreground and a duck Teal behind. Note the difference in bill colour of the ducks – orange edges to the Gadwall and rather dull yellow-green tone of the Teal (sometimes with some orange at the base only)

The start performer was this Marsh Harrier which came slightly closer than usual to the public access area. The white head and strength of the black mask through the eye point to an adult female though ...

... this very distant shot does not show any rufous in the tail and neither is there any white along the leading edge of the wing. So I conclude it is an immature, likely a female.

A pair of Ruff here. Once the males lose the prominent and colourful breeding-condition neck feathers these are rather non-descript birds. Clues are the rather short bill for the size of this wader: the usually very obvious pale fringes to the back feather: and the long primaries that are rather ‘loose’ and are often seen being blown around in any breeze.

Here is a trio of Ruff. The pale orange legs are better seen here. The rather small head is also noticeable.”

(Ed Wilson)