News
Turnstones & Garganey
No sign of the Dowitcher today but Turnstones and a showy Garganey, Turnstone and Garganey photo's by Tony Disley
26 August 2019
Dowitcher showing well
The Dowitcher performed very well on the Mere at closer range than usual until early afternoon, Dowitcher photos by Tony Disley
25 August 2019
Dowitcher & Great White Egret
The Long-billed Dowitcher is still present on Woodend Marsh viewable from UU Hide, it can go missing for quite a while but normally reappears on and off.Good numbers of Snipe around with at least 150 this morning, also 20+ Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2000+ B
24 August 2019
Dowitcher still present
A very quick update today, the main news being that pretty much everything which was seen yesterday was still around today, with the exception of Hobby and Swift, of which no reports were received today, Please check back over the last couple of day's sig
23 August 2019
Long-billed Dowitcher still present
The Long-billed Dowitcher was present for it's third day today, showing in the same area (Woodend Marsh) as yesterday, and viewable from the United Utilities hide.Other birds around reported around the reserve were much the same as yesterday, with a juven
22 August 2019
Long-billed Dowitcher still present
Long-billed Dowitcher still present, found on Woodend Marsh early afternoon. Female/juv Garganey with Teal from the Ron Barker Hide, Kingfisher from there too. Waders include 1000+ Black-tailed Godwit, 500 Lapwing, 5 Greenshank, 20+ Ruff, 30+ Snipe, 3+ Gr
21 August 2019
Long-billed Dowitcher
A great start to the day with a moulting adult Long-billed Dowitcher found from the in focus shop feeding with Black-tailed Godwit. Thanks to Charlie Lowe for providing these images of the dowitcher. Out on Woodend Marsh early on 3 Little Stint dropped in
20 August 2019
Monday Sightings
Breezy with a heavy rain shower early on.Jam packed with Black-tailed Godwit with 2000+ on the reserve and approximately 4500 in total in the local area. Four Greenshank present, 500+ Lapwing, 20+ Ruff, 30+ Snipe, Dunlin and possible Little Stint seen bri
19 August 2019
Yellow Wagtails & Garganey
A fantastic count of 20 Yellow Wagtails on the reserve this morning in amongst the Cattle, also a juv along Curlew Lane early morning. A fem/juv Garganey was among 200+ Teal out from Ron Barker Hide, plenty of Shoveler also and 1 resident Whooper Swan.The
18 August 2019
Arctic Tern
An Adult Arctic Tern graced the Mere just before 1pm for about 10 mins before disappearing into the murky drizzle. Scarce birds on the reserve despite local breeders along the Ribble Estuary.Still big numbers of Black-tailed Godwits with 2000+ on the Mere
16 August 2019
Cattle Egret
A breeding plumaged Cattle Egret first seen in flight over the Mere mid afternoon was eventually relocated from Ron Barker Hide on the grass at the side of Langley's Brook a while later. Also at least 1 Little Egret on site today.A good selection of wader
15 August 2019
More Wader-fest!
Water levels across the reserve have dropped back again after the recent torrential rain, up to 8 inches lower on the Mere and a good way to go yet. All in all this should be perfect for the next 4 weeks of peak wader passage, fingers crossed! The Black-t
14 August 2019
More Waders
Great wader spotting again with Wood Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 12 Knot, 700+ Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Dunlin, 16+ Ruff, 10+ Snipe and 400+ Lapwing. Raptor include 3 juv Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Barn Owl out during
13 August 2019
Knot Unusual
Monday rolling update... At least 8 Knot with a flock of ~ 400 Black-tailed Godwit on the Mere this morning. Some years were may only get one or two sightings of Knot, which are primarily a coastal wader. This year we have had exceptional numbers with one
12 August 2019
Little Stint
Better conditions today and more new waders coming in. A Little Stint was found on Woodend Marsh around midday and a Greenshank there was new in. No counts but 1000+ Black-tailed Godwit present, 20+ Ruff including juveniles, 10+ Snipe, 500+ Lapwing, 3 Dun
11 August 2019