News
Snipe, snipe, snipe
Snipe numbers are really building on the Folly Pond at the moment, with over 20 of them this morning. Lapwing, Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit are also regularly feeding on the muddy fringes.Teal numbers continue to grow, and we have seen Marsh Harrier, Gr
19 August 2020
Minibeast Magic
The good weather recently has seen a surge in the number of "creepy crawlies" making an appearance around the reserve. The above photo shows the caterpillar of the Elephant hawkmoth and is just one of the many moth caterpillars we come across. We have a
15 August 2020
Greenshank Making an Appearance
While the weather the past few days has screamed summer, our bird life is definitely more on the Autumnal side! Three Greenshank have been spotted feeding along the edges of the Folly Pond this morning. They are joined there by 81 Curlew, 4 Snipe, Teal,
14 August 2020
Marsh Harrier on the Move
After saying about returning raptors yesterday we have seen our first Marsh harrier of the autumn hunting out on the Merse this morning. It was being mobbed by a cloud of Skylarks and Meadow pipit which really highlighted just how many of these two speci
6 August 2020
Raptors Returning
As we move into late summer, we are now starting to observe more raptors around the reserve. Kestrels can regularly be seen down at Saltcot Merse Observatory and visitors are also reporting the presence of a Peregrine out on the far merses. Be sure to s
5 August 2020
Wet meadows
The heavy downpours have left the grasslands rather soggy, so best to wear boots or wellies for a little while just until the puddles can drain away. The wet grassland isn't a bad thing for wildlife as it brings new feeding opportunities for many species.
29 July 2020
Linnet and Lesser Redpoll
Flocks of Linnet are building up on the Merses with a large grouping of over 50 birds observed one time. They also like to perch up around the Saltcot Merse Observatory and can often be found on the Willow tree in the sheep paddock to the left of the Obs
25 July 2020
Lovely Lapwing
The heavy rainfall in the past couple of days has really raised the water levels on all the ponds. This has meant the muddy edges surrounding the island on the Folly Pond that the Little ringed plover were using has vanished and it would appear that so h
24 July 2020
Raining Plovers
The foul weather yesterday and this morning has some benefits...9 juvenile Little Ringed Plover took shelter on the Folly Pond yesterday afternoon and at least 4 have stayed to this morning. Only views are from Sharp's Lookout (we are working to get
23 July 2020
Waders starting to drop in
The past week has seen a return of some of our waders to site. Curlew numbers are building up with 25 birds seen in the Lochar field today from the Pasture Pathway. They have also been observed flying across the River Walk. Common Sandpiper are often t
18 July 2020
Vote to ban lead ammunition shot down again as dirty tricks prevail
Lead ban on hold yet again as last minute objection derails plans.
15 July 2020
Hares on the Pasture Pathway
Brown hares have been very active around the reserve recently. One was seen this morning on the newly opened pasture pathway. This is a new route going through the fields that links the Avenue Tower to the Saltcot Loaning. It is also a good place to sp
15 July 2020
Not our usual sightings, but Spring is coming!
As we are closed to all visitors, we won't be putting out our usual sightings updates but we will try to keep you up to date with general goings on here at the reserve. Our main focus is keeping the site in good order with minimal staff, looking after our
1 April 2020
Chiffchaff singing
After a slow start, with only one Whooper on the Folly Pond, others have now started dropping in. There are currently 15 on the reserve with more in the local area. We do know through satellite tracking that UK birds have already arrived back in Iceland
20 March 2020
Lots of raptor activity!
Two peregrines were seen displaying from the Avenue Tower yesterday which was very exciting to watch! A merlin and a hen harrier have also been sighted across the reserve. It's been lovely to see all of the usual suspects enjoying the sunshine this mornin
16 March 2020