Field Meeting Reports – 2025

Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve – Saturday 29 March 2025

As we congregated in the car park for our walk around Mere Sands Wood N.R.  a Chiffchaff was singing almost constantly, and a male Blackcap was soon found warbling in a Silver Birch. Both birds were welcoming signs of Spring, even though there was a cool wind! 

An amazing 24 members set off to explore the reserve. A first scan of the main mere yielded around 30 Cormorants roosting in a large tree. On the water we picked out Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe as well as good numbers of raucous Black-headed Gulls.

Further on along the trail, a Treecreeper was spotted disappearing into a tree stump. It transpired that a pair were nesting inside, and even had 2 entrances! We watched the activity for ages, mesmerised by these slim, mouse-like birds. In the same area, Nuthatches loudly proclaimed their presence. Joyce had kindly brought here “eclipse glass” with her, and shared it around so we could safely watch the partial solar eclipse that occurred late morning. A fascinating bonus sighting! At another spot looking over the mere, we picked out a pair of Gadwall, and 2 male and a single female Pochard.

We made our way back to the Centre for lunch, adding common Tit species on the way. After refreshments, we set off again. 

At the first field we came across, there were single Redwing, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush and Blackbird! A Song Thrush was also spotted later by some members. That’s all of our UK thrush family members other than Ring Ouzel!

At Fletcher Hide, we had much better views of a Great-crested Grebe than we had seen before. The western end of the reserve was less productive, partly because bird activity typically goes quiet in the afternoon, and also because the wind got up and a few spots of rain fell. We returned to the cars again. but not before we saw 2 Hares huddled down in a field; and saw a Raven calling noisily above the conifers. IT looked to be a juvenile bird judging by its rounded tail and smaller bill than normal.

We had been scanning the farmland for Red-legged Partridge that are often present, but without success. Then as I left the reserve to drive home, I spotted a single bird at the top of the lane! 

Between the 24 members, we saw an excellent 47 species

Thank you to Colin, Ellie, Bill and Hugh for the photos.

Hugh

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands – Monday 24 February 2025

The meeting at our local RSPB reserve (after an unscheduled visit in November!) did not disappoint. The early Spring weather gave us lovely light conditions, and we avoided the showers that were around.

On the Main Scrape, many of the birds were still winter visitors, with several duck species and a sprinkling of waders. Ducks included Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler and at least 2 male Pintails. Waders were represented by Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew and lots of jittery Lapwings.

But over a dozen Avocets had already returned from their winter quarters, although not showing any signs of nesting yet.

Ravens seemed to be around much of the day but were unusually silent, until a pair finally gave us a few typical croaks. Smaller birds seen included a very tame Robin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and 3 tit species. Cetti’s Warblers were vocal but rarely seen. Raptors seen were Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and Buzzard.

Some members drifted off after lunch (which is a nice benefit of these local walks). The remaining people explored the far end of the Reserve. At Border hide, the sun was behind us, showing up the birds’ colours nicely.

A thorough search for a reported Woodcock was fruitless, sadly! But on our final walk back towards the car park, we were rewarded with some flyover Redwings – they will soon be departing for Scandinavia.

We nearly walked straight past the Reedbed Screen on our return, but luckily we didn’t. Just as we arrived, a cry went up “Bittern”! A single bird had flown onto the edge of the reeds and settled briefly before melting back into the vegetation. By chance, a Kingfisher flew across in front of the Bittern! What an unexpected and brilliant end to a successful day!

The group saw some 53 species.

Thank you to Supanki and Hugh for the photos.

Hugh

Dyserth Walkway – Sunday 19 January 2025

Once we had eventually squeezed into the small car park, we began our walk down the Dyserth – Prestatyn Walk. Our first stop was on the bridge over the fast-flowing River Ffyddion, but unfortunately, we didn’t see a Dipper. Continuing, we started to tick off the expected woodland species – Blackbird, Blue and Great Tit, Wren. In a large grassy field, a colourful male Pheasant strutted along.

A Song Thrush and Dunnock shared a small muddy area close to the path. Jays were seen briefly but never loitered. Despite the gloom, the yellow wing panel still stood out on a Greenfinch sat high in a tree. A distant field held well over 200 Fieldfare, but too far away to photograph.

A pair of Goldcrest fed constantly amongst alder cones. Colin did well to get a photo as they just never stopped moving! Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull reminded us that we were getting close to the coast.

We stopped for Lunch #1. A tame Robin enjoyed a few crumbs we threw down.

As we approached the outskirts of Prestatyn, the air suddenly became even more chilly (coming off the sea?), so we decided to start to return journey up the Way. We stopped for Lunch #2 at the new “Y Shed” cafe and enjoyed our drinks and cakes!

We didn’t add any species to the list on the way back, and we ended the day with a small count of 21 species. But despite the cold and grey weather, I think we enjoyed a lovely walk and great company.

Thank you to Colin, Ellie, Joyce and Hugh for the photos. Conditions were not easy in the poor light. There are two Group photos – Joyce took one, with me on the end. And I took the other with Joyce on the end!

Hugh