News
Gannet a third record for the reserve.
A juvenile Gannet which flew in 15:20 was certainly the star bird of the day and a reserve tick for many. It spent 30 minutes on the Mere being followed by curious Pink-footed Geese before it was flushed and appeared to land on Wood End Marsh. It's only t
14 October 2013
Today's highlights
Peter Scott hide/heron hide Up to 3 glossy ibis have been seen today along with kingfisher, 31 shoveler, 2 little grebe, 39 teal, 5 wigeon, 27 pintail, 37 gadwall, 55 mallard, 3 cormorant and 2 grey heron British Steel hide/estuary 796 black tailed
14 October 2013
First Bewick's at Welney!
The first two Bewick's of the winter have arrived at WWT Welney, officially kick-starting the British swan season! The pair took advantage of a brief spell of easterly winds to help them cross the channel and arrive on time. And there will be thousands no
14 October 2013
Bewick's arrival
Bewick's at WWT Welney by Richard Dunn The first Bewick's swans have made the crossing from the Netherlands to arrive today at WWT Welney. A couple of individuals have been seen on the main lagoon this afternoon. Ki
14 October 2013
Latest Sightings
Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 5 Tufted Duck 40 Pochard 1 (scarce bird at Caerlaverock) Wigeon 40 Teal 10 Pintail 1 Shoveler 2 Mute Swan 35 Folly Pond Black-tailed Godwit 6 Redshank 2 Snipe 4 Teal 130 Wigeon 350 Shoveler 10 Pintail 1 Scaup 1 (drake) Flood Gr
14 October 2013
Today's sightings
After a spectacular weekend of Redwing migration the total noted today on the hide rounds was just one! Holden Tower Merlin 1 flew close past and headed to Middle Point E White-fronted Goose 8 Greylag 277 Barnacle Goose 140 Dark-bellied Brent on the estua
14 October 2013
Wildlife sightings for 14th October 2013
1 Pintail - scrape 1 Jack Snipe - scrape 15 Snipe - marsh, scrape 1 Kingfisher - scrape 1 Skylark - flew W 33 Meadow Pipit - SW/SE 1 Water Pipit - circled marsh low at 10:05 a.m. 96 Redwing - mostly SE 2 Chiffchaff - south route 3 Brambling - flew S 131 C
14 October 2013
Highest count of the autumn.
Highest count of the autumn with 29,400 Pink-footed Geese on the reserve early morning, in fact one of the highest counts on record for the reserve. A co-ordinated count in Lancashire produced over 82,000 birds. The Whooper Swan count is up with 300 birds
13 October 2013
Recent Sightings
Main Lake: 62 Greylags, 1 Heron, 2 Cormorants, 13 Tufted duck, 1 Barnacle Goose, 2 Coots. Wader Marsh: 1 Kingfisher, 1 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 3 Shelduck Saline Lagoon: 6 Little Grebes, 1 Heron, 2 Greenshanks. Fresh Water Lagoon: 1 Shoveler, 8 Mallards
13 October 2013
Out on the reserve today
Whooper swan numbers are increasing as are numbers of wigeon, shoveler, teal and gadwall. Black-tailed godwit Curlew Golden plover Ruff Marsh harrier - pair Meadow pipit Fieldfare
13 October 2013
Today's sightings
A grey overcast day saw drizzle arriving mid morning and set in for the day. It was a WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) count day but overall numbers were dissapointing. At least 1600 Redwing were noted heading N during the morning before the rain set in. Ze
13 October 2013
Wildlife sightings for 13th October 2013
Highlights from WeBS count: 93 Wigeon 63 Gadwall 158 Teal 196 Mallard 3 Pintail - wader scrape 64 Shoveler 11 Pochard 49 Tufted Duck 2 Mandarin 12 Little Grebe 4 Great Crested Grebe 36 Lapwing 1 Jack Snipe - wader scrape 23 Common Snipe 147 Black-headed G
13 October 2013
Wildlife sightings
The last week has seen a constant of level of around a dozen Shoveler with a high of 19 from the sand martin and scrape hides. Snipe numbers have been increasing in the same areas with 12 being seen this morning including one very close to the Scrape hid
13 October 2013
Today's Sightings
Wader lake am mid tide Teal 62 Gadwall 3 Redshank 26 Common snipe 1 Grey Heron 4 Mallard 30 Saline lagoon Teal 14 Cormorant 1 Grey Heron 1 Mallard 6 Forgotten meadow Sparrow hawk 1 male North wood Jay 2 Blackbird 1 River path Long tailed tit 6 Hawthorn wo
13 October 2013
Hen Harrier plus
Another good raptor day with the first Hen Harrier (a ringtail) of the autumn, 2+ Marsh Harrier, female Peregrine, 4 Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Two Raven again. Another great goose spectacle too with 10,000+ Pink-footed Geese on the reserve
12 October 2013