News
Sand martin swarm hunting insects
Kingfisher scolds another! Photo by Romney Turner Recent wildlife sightings (does not include common species like coots, mute swans, black-headed gulls and mallard ducks): Sun 23 Sept: Scrape hide: marsh harrier, 26 t
24 September 2018
Pallid harrier and water supply update
Today we are experiencing problems with out water supply, so facilities within the visitor cente are limited, but access to the reserve is open and will be open until 5pm today (last admissions at 4.30pm). Pallid harrier - 1 from Lyle hide at 11.40am Whoo
24 September 2018
Reserve update, Monday Sept 24th
Things happening today, with 4 Whooper Swans on the main feed pond along with a Scaup among the few Tufted Duck. (A further 15 or so Whoopers just off reserve on nearby Newmains). Barnacles slowly arriving - 36 yesterday, up to 214 today so far, mixed in
24 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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