News

Recent Sightings €- 24th September 2018

Recent Sightings €- 24th September 2018

The following sightings were recorded today at Low tide from the reserve at Castle Espie. Another large influx of Brent Geese have arrived on the Lough from Iceland, many thousands can now be heard calling across the Lough to Castle Espie. A lovely little

24 September 2018

Wildlife sightings for 24th September 2018

Wildlife sightings for 24th September 2018

1 Whinchat - grazing marsh 2 Stonechat - grazing marsh 1 Green Sandpiper - main lake 3 Yellow Wagtail - grazing marsh 5 Snipe - grazing marsh, main lake, wader scrape 12 Meadow Pipit - grazing marsh and over S and W 2 Water Rail - calling from main re

24 September 2018

First Whooper Swans

First Whooper Swans

Coming on the back of the influx of Pink-footed Geese, which continued today, a group of 11 Whooper Swan that flew in at the Ron Barker Hide this morning were first for the autumn. Fairly early for Whooper Swan, generally we wouldn't expect big number

23 September 2018

Sightings for Sunday September 23rd

Sightings for Sunday September 23rd

Damp start to the day here at Welney, but now starting to brighten up and promises to be a dry afternoon. All hides and Summer walk are open. Sightings so far today: Mute swan Whooper swan Canada goose Greylag goose Mallard Wigeon Moorhen Crane Little egr

23 September 2018

Wildlife sightings for 23rd September 2018

Wildlife sightings for 23rd September 2018

2 Whinchat - grazing marsh 1 Common Sandpiper - main lake 2 Shelduck - main lake 4 Yellow Wagtail - grazing marsh 1 Kingfisher - main lake 4 Snipe - grazing marsh, main lake 6 Meadow Pipit - wader scrape 1 Water Rail - calling from main reedbed 6 Wig

23 September 2018

Wildlife sightings - 23/09/18

Wildlife sightings - 23/09/18

a.m. Tide Level: Low Wader Lake Peregrine falcon (immature hunting over the lake) 1 Wigeon 2 Avocet (immature) 1 Teal 19 Lapwing 20 Black-headed gull 13 Saline Lagoon Stock dove 1 (river reedbed) Curlew 1 Teal 3 Hawthorn Wood Willow tit 1 Great spotted wo

23 September 2018

Sunday's sightings

Sunday's sightings

It's been a wet start to the day but things are forecast to dry up as the day goes on.  The Spoonbill family flew in from the river early this morning and spent a few hours on the South Lake before heading back to the river.   South Lake Hides Alon

23 September 2018

Pink-footed Geese

Pink-footed Geese

As predicted on Tuesday the weather charts held firm and an influx of Pink-footed Geese started to arrive. No counts as such although some massed airborne skeins had over 3000 birds as they moved locally and countless small groups were dropping in from

22 September 2018

Saturday's sightings

Saturday's sightings

A family group of five Spoonbills (2 adults and 3 juveniles) were seen this morning, first seen in flight over the Rushy heading towards the river before circling back and landing on the back of the lower pond.  The family then flew off and dropped on th

22 September 2018

Today's sightings

Today's sightings

Pallid harrier Mute swan Whooper swan Greylag Barnacle goose Canada goose Shelduck Shoveler Mallard Teal Cormorant Coot Moorhen Crane (x12) Bittern Little egret Black-tailed godwit Greenshank Avocet Snipe Golden plover (x2) Dunlin (x2) Little-ringed plove

22 September 2018

Reserve Update Saturday 22nd September - Otter

Reserve Update Saturday 22nd September - Otter

Well our Whooper Swan count has doubled today with two now on Whooper Pond!  Also there this morning was a fishing otter, a second sighting in two days.  It was an interesting day on this pond yesterday with a Red Crested Pochard making a brief appearan

22 September 2018

Wildlife sightings for 22nd September 2018

Wildlife sightings for 22nd September 2018

10 Wigeon - main lake 1 Common Sandpiper - reservoir lagoon 4 Snipe - grazing marsh, main lake 2 Water Rail - calling from the reedbeds 70 House Martin - reservoir lagoon 5 Chiffchaff - South route, sheltered lagoon   August bird highlights: Sheldu

22 September 2018

Skuas

Skuas

A very windy few days with very few people out looking and therefore very few reports received, but two juvenile Arctic Skuas flying past the Ron Barker hide today were exceptionally good records. All the "usual suspects" are still around, with a very ob

21 September 2018

Recent sightings 19th-21st September

Recent sightings 19th-21st September

Photo credit Russ Myners British Steel Hide After a stormy week we still have a wide variety of waders out on the lagoons, though in smaller numbers, making it easier to identify. Redshank, Greenshank, Black-tailed

21 September 2018

Friday's sightings

Friday's sightings

After a rather wet and windy Thursday night the weather has broken to leave a sunny if not slightly blustery Friday morning.  A very early start on the river failed to produce any stray seabirds blown up the river over the high tide, but a small group of

21 September 2018