Summary
It was three years since we last visited this RSPB wetland reserve on the Dee estuary. The weather was cloudy with rain threatening. A guided group headed west from the visitor centre so we initially went in the opposite direction – to the Bunker Hide; we didn’t linger as, with no windows, it was distinctly draughty. There was plenty to see from the Visitor Centre and the two main hides, with particularly good numbers of Shoveler, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit. Among the highlights were two Spotted Redshank, some Mediterranean Gulls and a Ruff. It was also good to see both Cetti’s Warblers and Chiffchaff, more often than not just heard. Blackcap were easy to spot too. The rain came late morning but was never heavy and we were able to take shelter from it in the Border Hide. Up to 4 Marsh Harriers were seen over the reeds.
Some members sampled the ‘new’ café; a stand-alone building delivered but not erected on our previous visit.
Members participating: 13
Bird list (54 species seen and/or heard)
| Little Grebe | Sparrowhawk | House Martin |
| Little Egret | Buzzard | Wren |
| Great White Egret | Pheasant | Dunnock |
| Grey Heron | Moorhen | Robin |
| Spoonbill | Coot | Stonechat |
| Mute Swan | Oystercatcher | Blackbird |
| Pink-footed Goose | Avocet | Cetti’s Warbler |
| Greylag Goose | Lapwing | Reed Warbler |
| Canada Goose | Ruff | Blackcap |
| Shelduck | Black-tailed Godwit | Chiffchaff |
| Wigeon | Curlew | Goldcrest |
| Gadwall | Spotted Redshank | Long-tailed Tit |
| Teal | Redshank | Blue Tit |
| Mallard | Mediterranean Gull | Great Tit |
| Pintail | Black-headed Gull | Nuthatch |
| Shoveler | Lesser Black-backed Gull | Jackdaw |
| Tufted Duck | Woodpigeon | Carrion Crow |
| Marsh Harrier | Swallow | Chaffinch |








