News

First week of October

First week of October

Autumn is very much with us but the warmer weather has meant that Common Darters and Migrant Hawker dragonflies remain on the wing in the sheltered spots, this is likely to be why we still have Hobby on site, at least one still feeding around the South Fi

7 October 2024

28 & 29 September 2024

28 & 29 September 2024

Sunday 29 SeptemberKingfisher HideTwo Hobby and two Jays.South LakeSeven Cattle Egret, 28 Avocet, Greenshank, 4 Snipe, 54 Lapwing, 12 Pochard, 154 Black-tailed Godwit, Shelduck, GC Grebe and 7 Cormorant.Middle PointTwo juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls among 2

29 September 2024

Seasonal habitat management and maintenance tasks

Seasonal habitat management and maintenance tasks

25 September 2024Apologies*Tree work begins near the Peng Observatory, path closure with a diversion in place, follow the signs to access the hide network** The second part of the seasonal habitat work and general maintenance tasks begin on the Rushy, it

25 September 2024

Cattle Egret numbers increasing

Cattle Egret numbers increasing

South LakeWater levels are up following the rains but the bird numbers and variety has remained the same. Seven Cattle Egrets visit the north causeway to have a rest and preen when they are not following the local cattle herds. Sightings for today include

24 September 2024

All day rain and highlights from 20 to 23 September

All day rain and highlights from 20 to 23 September

A very wet weekend has been topped off with a Monday of relentless precipitation, thankfully our hide network offers us plenty of dry cover and shelter, the weekend of Birdwatching events was very productive with plenty of great birds noted. As I type a f

23 September 2024

18-19 September 2024

18-19 September 2024

19 September 2024Car ParkA Glossy Ibis flew over toward the South Lake early morning.Top New Piece from Zeiss HideThe continuing juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper with the Ruff, over the tide a juvenile Sanderling, 19 Ruff, 33 Ringed Plover, 51 Dunlin, Green Sa

19 September 2024

White-tailed Eagle, Pectoral Sandpiper and other news

White-tailed Eagle, Pectoral Sandpiper and other news

Tuesday 17 SeptemberThe undoubted highlight today was an immature White-tailed Eagle that spent the morning around the estuary. Initially resting on the sands the tide pushed it off where it rested in oak trees at the south end of the reserve, when the ti

17 September 2024

Sightings and highlights 5-9 September 2024

Sightings and highlights 5-9 September 2024

A dynamic period of weather during last week and over the weekend, heavy downpours, thunder and lightning, at times almost zero visibility in the mist. The extremely heavy rainfall has flooded up the scrapes, we've managed to keep mud exposed at the Top N

9 September 2024

Wading birds recorded so far this September

Wading birds recorded so far this September

This time of the year is always great for a variety of wading birds on the reserve, the Severn estuary mudflats and carefully managed wader scrapes attract them to our muddy shores and shallows to feed and rest. It has to be said that they can be mobile w

4 September 2024

Spoonbill double

Spoonbill double

28 AugustSpoonbillsA newly arrived immature Spoonbill joined the longer staying adult bird, as seems to be the way these birds prefer to sleep on the Top New Piece and head out to the estuary to feed, the low tides channels and pools are favoured. This is

28 August 2024

16-18 August 2024 sightings

16-18 August 2024 sightings

Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory Early morning- Yellow Wagtail over S, 7 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, 10 Lapwing, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Redshank, 31 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 7 Mute Swan, 15 Greylag, 2 Tufted Duck, 12 Moorhen, 15 Malla

18 August 2024

15th August 2024 Sightings

15th August 2024 Sightings

Image - A reflective Ruff

15 August 2024

9th Spoonbill of 2024

9th Spoonbill of 2024

Our last Spoonbill sightings were in June when four immatures were noted together, this was likely to be three passage birds joining a long-stayer, they all moved on. Today's bird was the ninth individual of the year. This one appeared to be an older bir

11 August 2024

Return passage birds increasing

Return passage birds increasing

Image- Snipe on the Rushy- MJMThe summer return passage period is in full swing, a wide range of species have been noted this week especially passerines.South LakeFour Green Sandpiper from Hogarth Hide, at least 250+ Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Ruff, 14 Redsh

5 August 2024

Cranes fledging

Cranes fledging

Image- Crane pair ER and Phelps with their juvenile in flight MJMOur last two Cranes chicks appeared to have fledged, 'Ruby and Wilde' bred on the South Lake, in recent weeks visitors have been following this family closely with a lot of flapping and prac

29 July 2024