News
First Whooper Swans
Blue skies and very mild with a brisk easterly. Tomorrow's change in the weather looks interesting as a rain front comes in from the south west, maybe some waders will be dropped in? Two Whooper Swan flew over the reserve early afternoon. These are the fi
21 September 2019
Too Sunny?
With autumn migration now in full swing there is a question that regularly pops up in conversations, 'is the weather too nice?' Well there is always a fine balance between wind/lashing rain and wall to wall windless sunshine and currently we are getting a
19 September 2019
4400 Pink-footed Geese
The Pink-footed Geese numbers are gradually building with 4400 in this mornings roost. Current airflows over Iceland look like stopping a big influx for the next 7-10 days or so, although birds currently in Scotland will come south as birds from here move
18 September 2019
Sightings
A murky drizzly day on and off promised more than it delivered, despite that plenty of birds to be seen and slowly increasing numbers of wildfowl and a Whimbrel was new in.
15 September 2019
Little Stint
A gorgeous autumn day with a little visible migration overhead and plenty of birds
14 September 2019
Friday update
Pink-footed Goose numbers up slightly today, with at least 2,000 birds present early evening, although numbers can be very difficult to estimate and there may be many more.At least 2 Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank 2 Little Ringed Plovers, and 30+ Ruff alo
13 September 2019
Migration Arrivals
A sunny start with freshening winds later on. An early morning count of 1600 Pink-footed Geese was exceptional on such an early date. We can expect the numbers to increase considerably in the next few weeks if a sustained North Westerly airflow comes out
10 September 2019
Sunday's Sightings
A lovely start to the day, sunshine and light winds and more Pink-footed Geese (below) arriving, 800 on Plover Field this morning. A flock of at least 8 Bearded Reedling were 'pinging' in the Reedbed, including two young males a sign of successful breedi
8 September 2019
Spot Red & Pinkfeet
A fantastic autumn day on site with the sound of Pinkfeet filling the air on and off all day also a Spotted Redshank was on the Mere
7 September 2019
More Pinkfeet
More Pink-footed Geese arriving was the main highlight today and a small selection of Waders along with Willow Tit
5 September 2019
Pink-footed Geese
A good arrival of Pinkfeet the major highlight of the day, also good numbers of Yellow Wagtail still
3 September 2019
Willow Tit & Hobby
The Willow Tit continues to show occasionally at the Janet Kear feeding station, but can be missing for some time, patience is required.A group of 3 Avocet were on Woodend Marsh today along with 2 Ringed Plover. A Greenshank was on the Mere and from Ron B
1 September 2019
Yellow Wags & Hobby
A nice group of 19 Yellow Wagtail were on view from Ron Barker this afternoon and a Water Rail also still 2000+ Black-tailed Godwit from here. On the Mere 2 Greenshank and 2 Green Sandpiper with another one at Hale Hide. Plenty of Snipe still around as we
31 August 2019
Pinkfeet & Otters
A few new Pink-footed Geese in today but probably local birds plus Otters showing again and the Willow Tit continues to visit the Janet Kear feeding station. Otter photo by John Watson
28 August 2019
First Pintail of Autumn
Still no sign of the Dowitcher but the first 2 Pintail of the Autumn and a few other new sightings, all photos by Tony Disley
27 August 2019