News
Glaucous Gull again
Holden Tower A few flighty Bewick's Swans, one settled on the Dumbles and a pair were feeding early morning. We may only have nine left on site. The Dunlin flock was still present but dispersed after a Peregrine took a bird, a single Ringed Plover flew by
6 March 2018
Today's sightings
Mute swan Whooper swan Bewick's swan Greylag Tundra bean goose Pink-footed goose (x20) Shelduck Shoveler Mallard Pintail Gadwall Wigeon Teal Pochard Tufted duck Cormorant Coot Moorhen Great egret (x2) Little egret Oystercatcher Black-tailed godwit Redshan
6 March 2018
Wildlife sightings for 6th March 2018
1 Bittern - main lake SE corner 6 Dunlin - marsh 5 Jack Snipe - scrape 21 Snipe - marsh 190 Lapwing - mostly on the marsh 16 Pintail - marsh, scrape, main lake 4 Shelduck - main lake, scrape 1 Caspian Gull 3rd year - marsh 19 Fieldfare - WS bank,
6 March 2018
Bird News
Raptors again the stand-out species today, with the male Hen Harrier still present and a female reported moving through mid-morning. An adult Red Kite was also present mid afternoon at least, along with at least 2 Marsh Harriers, Peregrine, 4+ Common Buzz
5 March 2018
Today's Highlights
Whooper swan Mute swan Shelduck Shoveler Wigeon Pochard Teal Tufted duck Pintail Gadwall Goldeneye Black-tailed godwit Lapwing Redshank Moorhen Coot Dunlin Fieldfare Starling Reed bunting Tree sparrow Goldfinch Marsh harrier Buzzard Red admiral Butterfly!
5 March 2018
Recent Sightings - 5th March 2018
Chaffinch cr. Roger Byng A cold and icy morning here at Castle Espie. Th
5 March 2018
Update, Monday 5th March
A Balmy 5C today, with the snow virtually gone (the Blackshaw approach road requires care close to the centre but is easily driven), resulting in "The Return of the Barnacle" - a good few thousand around today after a relative dearth over the snowy period
5 March 2018
Wildlife sightings - 05/03/18
a.m Tide Level: High Wader Lake Oystercatcher 2 Coot 3 Common snipe 1 Shoveler 2 Teal 24 Mute swan 2 Grey heron 3 Tree sparrow 1 Stock dove 3 Herring gull 1 Saline lagoon Oystercatcher 2 Curlew 1 Teal 36 Shelduck 4 Hawthorn Wood Nuthatch 2 Willow tit 1 Gr
5 March 2018
Wildlife sightings for 5th March 2018
175 Lapwing - site count 3 Bittern - main lake SE corner and North shore 1 Curlew - main lake (p.m.) 1 Dunlin - grazing marsh (p.m.) 2 Jack Snipe - wader scrape 16 Pintail - site count p.m. 3 Shelduck - wader scrape 1 Yellow-legged Gull - grazing marsh
5 March 2018
Thaw continues
The rapid thaw was welcomed, many birds were struggling with the intense cold and snow covering feeding areas. Perhaps the worst affected species has been Lapwing. The warmer conditions allowed many of our bird species to finally feed again. The Severn c
4 March 2018
Hen Harrier again
Adult male Hen Harrier hunting over Ashtons/Plover Field Great to see the adult male Hen Harrier staying for a second day, special birds indeed. Seven species of raptor today with 4 Marsh Harrier, male Merlin, Pereg
4 March 2018
Today's sightings
Whooper swan Mute swan Curlew Black tailed godwit Redshank Water rail Shelduck Mallard Pochard Wigeon Pintail Tufted duck Teal Shoveler Goldeneye Coot Moorhen Black-headed gull Lapwing Snipe Fieldfare Redwing Tree sparrow Goldfinch Reed bunting Red legged
4 March 2018
Wildlife sightings for 4th March 2018
3 Bittern - main lake SE corner & North shore 1 Curlew - grazing marsh (p.m.) 1 Dunlin - flew over main lake 1 Kingfisher - main lake 7 Pintail - grazing marsh, sheltered lagoon 4 Shelduck - main lake 3 Jack Snipe - wader scrape 1 Goldeneye - main
4 March 2018
Snow Melting Birds Returning
A busy couple of days clearing snow and feeding birds but all looking good for an re-opening tomorrow. Lots of waders and duck have moved onto the estuary but are starting to come back into the now flooding fields. Rushy Looks great, over 250 Pintail and
3 March 2018
Hen Harrier
The stand out bird of today was a male Hen Harrier that flew through the site at about 1.20, seen from Ron Barker Hide as it headed towards Windmill Farm area, it reappeared later and was showing till at least 4.30pm. This is our first record this wint
3 March 2018