News
And now there are five!
Two new swans swooped in over the weekend to join Dario, Bridges and Humbugs for a winter at Slimbridge. The birds have grey flecks on their heads which indicate that they are yearlings. Born in June 2010, they have already made three migrations, flying o
8 November 2011
Cold weather brings an influx of waders and duck
We undertook a Brent geese count yesterday and there are just over 5000 geese still in the area but a lot have now moved further south to spend the rest of the winter. However, the recent cold weather has brought in an influx of smaller waders and duck in
8 November 2011
A lovely autumnal return
Following a few days' holiday, I've returned to work to find the site feeling very autumnal, with lots of gold and red foliage in the trees. Highlights for today's blog include a flock of 50 siskin down near the amphibian ponds and six lesser redpoll.
8 November 2011
Marbled duck seen on reserve
A Marbled Duck was found 4.15pm with Common Teal from the Ron Barker Hide yesterday. It appeared to be fully winged and the assumption is that it will be the same bird that turned up on the Ribble on the 4th of September. There has been a couple of furthe
8 November 2011
Dawn swan count
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8 November 2011
Seal spotted
Wardens have just reported a seal in the River Wear, near our Window on the Wear viewing platform. [...]
8 November 2011
Murky
Pretty murky conditions all day but plenty of activity nonetheless. Raptors in action included 3 Marsh Harrier, one with an unidentified bird (hopefully not Marbled Duck..) as prey item, was 'robb [...]
8 November 2011
Wildlife sightings for 8th November 2011
1 Bittern - south side main lake 1 Shelduck - male, main lake, 14:40 1 Pintail - female, main lake 13 Snipe - marsh, scrape, main lake 2 Jack Snipe - one left side, one right side of m [...]
8 November 2011
Today's sightings
A rather misty start to the day so visibility not so good when we checked out the hides early this morning. It has cleared. Holden Tower Peregrine 1 White-fronted Goose 40 Tack Piece [...]
8 November 2011
Great White Egret roosting with Llanelli
Having just returned from a relaxing holiday it’s nice to get back to the reserve and see what birds have arrived. On Saturday afternoon a Great White Egret was found roosting in the European Pen, along with 50 Little Egrets. Records of Great White Egre
7 November 2011
WeBS Count
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7 November 2011
Today's sightings, including 2 sparrowhawks!
Wader Lake: Teal - 34 Grey heron - 3 Lapwing - 12 Redshank - 16 Wigeon - 2 Shoveler - 7 Moorhen - 3 Mute swan - 1 Other bird species counts: Song thr [...]
7 November 2011
Marbled Duck late afternoon.
A Marbled Duck was found 4.15pm with Common Teal from the Ron Barker Hide. It appeared to be fully winged and the assumption is that it will be the same bird that turned up on the Ribble on the 4th of [...]
7 November 2011
Today's sightings
On estuary: 124 brent c180 pintail c200 curlew 216 wigeon 33 greylag tufted duck teal mallard gadwall pochard shovele [...]
7 November 2011
Wildlife sightings for 7th November 2011
1 Short-eared Owl - over main lake and then flew E, mobbed by crows and starlings 1 Pintail - female, main lake 1 Peregrine - bathing in the main lake, then flew to hospital 1 Sparrowhawk [...]
7 November 2011