Under the Radar

I have not done much ‘serious’ birding recently, with various domestic projects having supplanted any urge I have had to get out.

Still, there is plenty of entertainment to be had surfing the web, with the most pulsating and compelling thread that of the technical photography discussion that accompanied the 453,958 pictures of Starbucks’ Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the NWBF.

One serial snapper had boasted that he/she had taken 565 images – who says that there is no skill in photography anymore?

For my part, I have never seen a ‘BBS’, but the prospect of sitting in a confined space with the associated racket of bleeps and clunks was more than enough to put me off.

Perhaps a quiet corner can be found at the new RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands that I learn is due to open it doors on Saturday morning at 9.30am.

Even more surprising than the fact that is has actually opened, is the rather low-key nature of the announcement.

A notice on the Dee Estuary website reads:

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands will open to the public on Saturday 24th September at 9.30am. More details to follow.

Whereas, the Inner Marsh Farm blog is of similar brevity:

Burton Mere Wetlands Opens Saturday 24th September.

You would have imagined the opening of a ‘new’ RSPB reserve would have been carried out with a little more fanfare rather than a brief announcement a couple of days in advance.

Conspicuous by its absence is any reference to a closing time. It was always rumoured that the old ‘sunset’ deadline for being booted out would be replaced by a more businesslike 5.00.

Also of interest will be the nature of the ‘viewing facilities’ down at the reserve. The RSPB seems to be moving away from traditional hides in an attempt to attract a broader range of people to its reserves – especially children.

Hell, they probably won’t even call them bird reserves soon: Wildlife And Nature Kindergarten Engagement Resource Solutions would be my guess.

Until later.