News
Todays sightings
Mute swan Whooper swan Greylag goose Teal Grey heron Little egret Black-tailed godwit Goldfinch Tree sparrow House sparrow Goldfinch
23 August 2017
WWT's John Crooks reveals all about his otterly fascinating job
Although 12 out of 13 species of otter are in decline, our cheeky, furry friends can now be found in every county in England. Their return is partly due to protection and habitat regeneration programmes run by specialists at our centres up and down the co
23 August 2017
Wildlife sightings for 23rd August 2017
2 Common Sandpiper - main lake 1 Little Egret - main lake 4 Snipe - grazing marsh, main lake 2 Yellow Wagtail - flew over heading E 1 Whitethroat - sheltered lagoon 4 Blackcap - sheltered lagoon, grazing mash 7 Chiffchaff - wildside, sheltered lagoon
23 August 2017
Wildlife sightings - 22/08/17
a.m. Tide Level: Mid Wader Lake Black-tailed godwit 6 Lapwing 90 Redshank 25 Eurasian teal 15 Curlew 2 Black-headed gull 8 Saline Lagoon Black-headed gull 10 Eurasian teal 4 Godwall 2 Curlew 1 Hawthorn Wood Great tit 4 Blue tit 3 Chaffinch 4 Greenfinch 2
22 August 2017
Whitethroats
The hedges about the Holden Tower and Knott Hide were very busy this morning, some large counts of warblers were made with 12+ Lesser Whitethroat, 5+ Common Whitethroat, 25+ Blackcap and 40+ Chiffchaff among the highlights. The Linnet flock continues to i
22 August 2017
Osprey South
It looked 'rare' this morning with humid overcast condition after a night of rain showers. The juvenile Black-necked Grebe was still present on the Mere until late afternoon at least. Black-necked Grebe still on the Mere
22 August 2017
Wildlife sightings for 22nd August 2017
1 Greenshank - main lake before flying off NE 1 Redshank - calling over main lake 4 Snipe - wader scrape 3 Yellow Wagtail - 2 on the grazing marsh, 1 flew over heading E 5 Chiffchaff - entrance lake, South route 1 Kestrel - grazing marsh 1 Peregrine - per
22 August 2017
Plenty of juvenile passerines about
Heavy overnight rain followed by a damp morning may well have been responsible for a fall of passerines, the hedges were very busy with young birds which are now making their own way in life. A little patience in any sunny spot with fruits should reveal w
21 August 2017
Today's Sightings
Little Egret Buzzard Swallow House Martin Marsh Harrier Tree Sparrow House Sparrow Ruff Goldfinch Mallard Snipe Yellow Wagtail Peregrine Sparrowhawk Green Sandpiper Whooper Swan Green Woodpecker Cormorant Kestrel Black-tailed Godwit Teal Shelduck Shoveler
21 August 2017
Black-necked Grebe!
Unexpected and only the second record for the reserve, a Black-necked Grebe was found by visiting birders on the Mere early afternoon. A big thanks to them for reporting the sighting to the in focus shop allowing many people on the reserve to see the bird
21 August 2017
Recent Sightings 21st August
The following sightings were recorded today from the reserve at Castle Espie. Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory Little Egret 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull 6, Common gull 1, Curlew 6, Oystercatcher 240, Redshank 2, Grey Heron
21 August 2017
Monday 21st Aug update
Warmer now but temp. dropped to 7C last night. Teal nos are building, with over 300 now and a single pintail. Ospreys and Peregrine are regular out on the merse/estuary, along with Kestrel, Buzzard and distant Marsh Harrier. Wheatear out there too. Some l
21 August 2017
Wildlife sightings for 21st August 2017
8 Chiffchaff - site count 6 Snipe - main lake, grazing marsh 5 Willow Warbler - site count 1 Kestrel - grazing marsh 1 Peregrine - perched on the hospital Additional sightings from yesterday: 2 Whinchat - grazing marsh 1 Hobby - main lake 13 Ch
21 August 2017
Wildlife sightings - 21/08/17
a.m. Tide Level: Low Wader Lake Lapwing 160 Redshank 37 Teal 15 Black headed gull 7 Avocet 4 Black tailed godwit 3 Common tern 2 Stock dove 1 Saline Lagoon Black headed gull 15 Lapwing 2 Hawthorn Wood Blue tit 4 Robin 2 Goldfinch 5 Chaffinch 7 Coal tit 3
21 August 2017
Sightings
A Hobby was seen again from the Ron Barker hide, also juvenile Marsh Harrier and Peregrine in the area along with the usual Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard. Up to 3 Green Sandpiper still present this evening on Vinson's from Ron Barker also still
20 August 2017