Once again our full complement of members enjoyed a few pleasant hours at Burton
Wetlands on this our first outing in 2012. It was interesting see how the bird life
had changed even after only a few weeks. Far more small woodland birds from bluetits
to wrens were around, including the finches, blackcap, nuthatch, a grass hopper warbler
and a stock dove. From the warm comfortable hide we could see widgeon, mallards,
teal, coots, moorhens, tufted ducks, shovellers and a black tailed godwit swimming
in waters that were doing their best to ice over. A redshank and dunlin foraged
in the shallows, watched over by a solitary Canada goose. Three white fronted geese
dropped down for a while before we left for a substantial meal at the Old Quay. There
we made arrangements for our next visit to Martin Mere on Tuesday 28 February. Should
the weather be unfavourable we shall enjoy Bob’s slides at his house. Decisions
will be made nearer the time.
