News

Wildlife sightings for 21st January 2016
1 Bittern - N shore reservoir lagoon (wildside hide) 91 Lapwing - main lake 8 Siskin - flew NW + 11 on the south route 2 Stonechat - marsh 30 Redwing - entrance area 1 Chiffchaff - sheltered lagoon January bird highlights: Bittern, Brent Goose, Goldeney
21 January 2016

Make a Big Splash at the NI Puddle Jumping Championships
Children of all ages are being encouraged to get out into the fresh air and have fun jumping in puddles this February half term with WWT’s Big Splash at Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Comber from Monday 15 - Sunday 22 February. The Big Splash at Castle E
20 January 2016

Bewick's Swan
Glorious day to take part in the classic winter birding on offer at Martin Mere with dawn to dusk sunshine and light winds. If you were counting all the birds on the reserve at the moment the total numbers would top 15000! The Mere was packed with birds s
20 January 2016

Rescued whooper swan returned to the wild
Whooper swan YKA after being released A whooper swan found along the road to WWT Welney Wetland Centre has been successfully released back into the wild. The swan, which had no obvious injuries but would not take off
20 January 2016

Increased reserve access
Hare by David Featherbe Water levels have dropped well enough to now re-open most of the footpaths. Wellies are needed to get to Nelson-Lyle, Lyle and Friends hides. The only hide still not accessible is our Reedb
20 January 2016

Caerlaverock wildlife update, Wed Jan 20th
A good bright day, with little wind, but cold still at just above freezing, with a lot of the water bodies still iced over. Whooper Swan nos. are still a bit higher than of late, at around the 160 mark, though the Barnacles are more sketchy. Our dog Otter
20 January 2016

Wildlife sightings for 20th January 2016
4 Bittern - north side reservoir lagoon and main lake 1 Jack Snipe - marsh (NE corner) 95 Lapwing - main lake 53 Siskin 2 Stonechat - reservoir lagoon 2 Brambling - flew N over south route 5 Redpoll - Explore feeders 10 Redwing - entrance area Jan
20 January 2016

All the B's Barnacle and Blackcap
A calm and cool day at Martin Mere, tomorrow looks even better with perhaps a little sunshine! Two new species to added to the year list with a Barnacle Goose seen with Pink-footed Geese from the Ron Barker Hide and a female Blackcap near the Kingfisher H
19 January 2016

Loose Thread Quilters Celebrate ‘Our Food So Good’
A new exhibition celebrating Northern Ireland's Year of Food and Drink 2016 has opened at the Castle Espie Gallery. The ‘Our Food So Good’ quilting exhibition by the Loose Thread Quilters has drawn inspiration from the wealth of quality produce avail
19 January 2016

Today's sightings- a frozen scene
Temperatures dropped to below freezing point last night, as a result much of the reserve was covered in ice and the birds concentrated in any open water they could find. The South Lake and Rushy Pen were busiest as many of the waders and wildfowl had move
19 January 2016

Wildlife sightings for 19th January 2016
4 Bittern - 1 main lake, 3 reservoir lagoon 2 Shelduck - main lake 3 Pintail - main lake 7 Mandarin - reservoir lagoon 1 Jack Snipe - wader scrape 12 Redwing - entrance lake 1 Peregrine - perched on hospital ledge January bird highlights: Bittern, Brent
19 January 2016

Recent sightings - 19th January
The following sightings were recorded today by Toni Castello, warden, near high tide. Main lake – visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre Mallard +200, Tufted duck 13, Coot 3, Black-headed gull 10, Gadwall 2. Wadermarsh - visible from Bren
19 January 2016

Reserve access
Sunrise and swans on Lady Fen Water levels continue to drop on the Ouse Washes. The wash road may soon be open and we may be able to have some footpaths and additional hides open at the weekend. This morning we ha
19 January 2016

Update, Tuesday Jan 19th
Snow still lying but patchier now as the slow thaw continues. Green-winged Teal and Ring-necked Duck still present though general duck nos. down a bit due to ice on outlying water bodies. 7 Bramblings yesterday around the farmhouse garden and 3 Water Rail
19 January 2016

Today's sightings- huge Pintail count!
Northern Pintail at Slimbridge by James Lees Holden Tower - Mega flock of duck out on the estuary today, cold conditions have frozen out birds from some of their normal feeding areas to gather here. A count of 1016 P
18 January 2016