News
Sightings update - 27/07/2017
There have been a couple of noteworthy sightings over the last few of days. Osprey sightings from Saltcot are becoming a much more regular occurrence, as adults are trying to find food for their ever growing chicks. One bird gave very good view
27 July 2017
Latest Sightings - 22nd July - Barn Owls nesting!
News just in! Barn Owls have nested near the Visitor Centre for the first time since 2013. They appear to have fledged 2 chicks from the triangular nest box near the Peter Scott Observatory where we had Tawny Owls nest last year! Unfortunately unlike the
22 July 2017
Latest Sightings - 21st July
Another wet morning on the reserve, so waterproofs and wellies would be recommended. Autumn wader passage could start at any minute, and we have some good muddy margins on the Folly Pond so do keep your eyes peeled. A juvenile Wimbrel was in the Corner Fi
21 July 2017
Latest Sightings - 15th July
It's a bit wet and overcast this morning, but it's still a good day to visit us. You can duck in and out of our many hides and observatories as you make your way around the reserve. The rain means many birds are sheltering in the trees and hides, so keep
15 July 2017
Latest Sightings - 14th July
A cooler start to the day, but the meadow is still alive with butterflies and dragonflies. The wildflowers are in bloom and it is well worth a walk along the mown path. A Little Grebe has appeared on the Flood Ground this morning and there is still
14 July 2017
Bankend Bridge closure latest information
If you are planning to visit in the next month, please be aware of an up-coming road closure in Bankend village. These are the details we have at the moment: The road is OPEN this week (10th - 16th July) despite road closed signs already in place. The con
11 July 2017
Latest Sightings - 8th July - Details of road closure in Bankend next week
If you are planning to visit in the next month, please be aware of an up-coming road closure in Bankend village. These are the details we have at the moment: In the first week, the road will be open on Monday (10/07) and Tuesday (11/07) but will be closed
8 July 2017
06/07/2017- Mandarin
Another successful walk down to the avenue tower this morning, when a female Mandarin was picked up among the ducks on the flooded Lochar field. This species has only been recorded on the reserve a handful of times. Although only feral populations
6 July 2017
Sightings - 05/07/2017
The highlight of the morning was a juvenile Garganey that was found in the Lochar field, viewable from the avenue tower. The bird was very elusive in the long grass but can be picked up using a scope from the top floor of the tower. The field has
5 July 2017
Sightings 03/07/2017
A Spotted Flycatcher was showing well again this morning, sitting on the fence line by the entrance to the summer walk half way down the avenue. A couple of Common Sandpipers are dotted around the reserve, with two on the Whooper Pond and one on the Folly
3 July 2017
Sightings - 30/06/2017
A pair of Spotted Flycatchers are still down the avenue, spending most of their time about half way down to the tower. They are however, being extremely illusive and only being seen a couple of times a week. In other news we are starting to see som
30 June 2017
26/06/2017 - OTTER
The undoubted highlight of the day was an Otter that was fishing on the Whooper Pond for over an hour first thing this morning. It gave some amazing views right in front of the observatory window, some pictures below! Also today, 5 Raven calling hi
26 June 2017
Latest Sightings - 24th June
It's turning out to be a bright and sunny morning here, with a bit of a breeze. Still more young birds along the Avenues and in the hides. The Swallows in the Teal Pond hide have fledged 5 youngsters yesterday, they were still hopping around inside the hi
24 June 2017
Latest Sightings - 22nd June
Butterflies are now being seen around the reserve so keep a eye open for them when walking around. The four very noisy Swallow chicks that can now be seen in the teal pond hide are looking like they are going to fledge any day now, with more chicks
22 June 2017
Latest Sightings - 17th June
The Black-headed Gull chicks are doing well on the Flood Ground, 3 of them have hatched on one of the rafts. The Oystercatcher chick on the Teal Pond is also doing very well as you can see below... The Mute Swan family are still on the Whooper Pon
17 June 2017