Burton Mere Wetlands: Dee Estuary

Although established 4 years ago, we were not aware of the RSPB site! 
Chris spotted it as we were on out way for another of our walks in the Dee Estuary; we decided it was worth a visit.

  

It wasn't so much a walk, more of a "lets look at everything while we are here" day!
The wander ended up as 3.986 miles (6.4149 km) walk and can be seen at... 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6607986

The Iron Age Fort, involved a bit of a climb, as can be seen...

The drive into Burton Mere Wetlands Reserve was stunning as you will see from the walk we did through the woods on either side of the road.

We headed towards the reception/main hide/Toilets...

... and upon arrival, at the "double-glazed" hide, we entered and saw this...

...WOW!

We were greeted by RSPB Staff and given an introduction to "what's on offer" and provided with a map. 

Note: Access to the wetlands and hides etc., were accessed through the Main hide and there is a charge.

When we visited it was...

Adult £4; concession £3; child £2 (under-5s free and first child of family goes free). RSPB members get in for free. 
(Entrance charges and more information can be seen at http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/d/dee-burtonmerewetlands/about.aspx)

Coot

We spent a little time in the initial hide before heading up the Dee Valley towards the "Barn" where a number of people had already seen a Little Owl on the roof and/or in the gutter. Sadly we were not so lucky!
We did see many breeds that you would expect to see but the Avocets were the ones that grabbed our attention especially with the large number of young chicks.
We then headed back to the hide, back to the car (to change footwear) and then our walk through the woods along the Gorse Covert Trail.
The pictures will tell the experience better than any text...

Carvings were found around the Reserve

Badgers (Entering & Leaving)

Here we retraced our steps to Reception...

Once back at Reception, we took the right-hand door to explore the rest of the reserve.
The first surprise was...

Can you see him?

 Directly under the Bird feeders was a Rat (can't blame him for setting up home here) and (s)he seemed to have a collaborative relationship with a Mallard Drake (To be fair the rat seemed more afraid of the duck.)

More carvings

 We saw lots of Goslings, not the only young we were to see...

Where the path forked...

 ... we took the left-hand route, pausing to admire the "artistic heron"...

 Constantly stopping to watch the wetland residents, we made it to the reed beds...

 ...along with Reed Buntings, Reed warblers and Gadwalls

 We spent some time in the hide between two meres admiring the three herons...

 ...through my monocular and Chris with the binoculars...

 It wasn't just birds that caught our eyes, the first 2015 buttercups...

 ...and Caltha palustris, known as marsh-marigold or kingcup...

 ...especially as we wandered across the board-walk through the marshes...

At the T-Junction we went left down steps towards the next hide...

 On the way we saw ducklings...

 ...and at the hide a Garganey was pointed out to us...

...a Garganey is a small dabbling duck. It breeds in the UK (late March - October), but is strictly migratory, with the entire population moving to Africa in winter, where large flocks can occur.
We also spotted Limosa limosa, the large, long-legged, long-billed black-tailed godwit.
Returning to the T-Junction...

...we headed up hill turning left across the railway bridge.
Once across the bridge we turned right and up to the Dry-stone wall...

View from wall

 We continued along the wall to the Iron Age Fort...

 ...an enclosed area covered in bluebells...

 We returned across the field, past very brave lambs and their mums...

... some of which actually came towards us, rather than the usual running away.
At the far side of the bridge, we continued up to the viewpoint.
After enjoying the views, we retraced our steps, passing a Lesser Redpoll...

 ...it's black chin distinguishing it from other small finches.
Then the last change, enabling us to complete all the paths open to us. We went up the steps...

 ...past the signpost...

 ...and along the path through the middle of the mere...

 Here we saw more ducklings...

 ...enjoying the hovering insects.
On the path was the remains of probably a Long-tailed Tit nest...

 ...and above more carvings, this time, bats...

We wer then back at the Junction with the Heron...

Retracing our steps to the car, we headed off for some lunch then home!

Our first visit was complete and 

I've no doubt we will be going again!