News
Latest Sightings - 16th June - Mute Swan cygnets!
The Avenues have completely dried out now, so there is no need for wellies. The Mute Swan family are now on the Whooper Pond, arriving to be fed this morning. They have hatched 4 cygnets, which are only a day or so old! You can see them in front of the
16 June 2017
Reserve Update Wednesday 14th June
It is baby bird bonanza down at the Teal Pond this morning. There is still the one Oystercatcher chick being attentively fed by it's parents. Four very noisy Swallow chicks can now be seen in the hide itself, with more chicks heard on a nest outside
14 June 2017
Monday update, June 12th
Calmer this morning after quite severe winds all of yesterday which made for difficult birding, though around the high tide there were several Fulmars and Gannets battling their way back out to sea from the Inner Solway where the inclement conditions had
12 June 2017
Latest Sightings - 10th June - still very wet!
Even wetter Avenues this morning, so walking boots or wellies are essential for reaching the Avenue Tower and Saltcot Merse Observatory! We will do our best to make them accessible, but there is little we can do at the moment. Last night we conducted our
10 June 2017
Latest sightings - 9th June - very wet Avenues
If you are planning to visit this weekend, boots or wellies are needed to get down the Avenues. It is very wet underfoot thanks to the heavy rain last week. The Avenues are worth the walk at the moment, with fantastic numbers of young birds around. Recen
9 June 2017
Tuesday June 6th update
Nearly two inches of rain over the last 48hrs and it's still coming... Spectacular numbers of hirundines hunting in the lee of the banking on the south side of the main avenue this morning. House Martins in particular seem to be doing well here this seaso
6 June 2017
Reserve Update Saturday 3rd June
Another lovely start to the day with fledgling birds down the Avenue and more of our wildflowers coming out in the Meadow and Avenues. There has also been a bumper number of Brown Hares visible first thing this morning with three in the fields down at t
3 June 2017
Reserve Update Wednesday 31st May
Back to more of the sunny weather today! Blackcap parents are busy feeding chicks along the Avenue. There are now two Swallow nests being utilised at the Teal Pond hide, another above the entrance way to join the one at the left hand side inside. Two
31 May 2017
Monday May 29th
A bit wet today, must be a bank holiday for some... As expected the Ospreys have begun to hatch after their 35 day incubation, with the first of what we hope will become three appearing on camera yesterday. A few Lapwing and Oystercatcher chicks about, th
29 May 2017
Latest Sightings - 27th May
A cooler start to the day, with more of a breeze than yesterday. The Avenues are alive with bird song, and a lot of recently fledged Blackbirds, Robins, Blackcaps and many more! Another big tide this afternoon could be worth a look. The heat haze we had y
27 May 2017
Latest Sightings - 26th May - Avocets again early this morning
Two Avocets were seen early this morning on the Folly Pond, but have since moved elsewhere, we are trying to relocate them. It's set to be a very hot day, with little wind making it perfect for watching insects in the Meadow. Damselflies and Dragonflies a
26 May 2017
Reserve Update Thursday 25th May - Orchids start flowering
With the recent spells of sunny weather interspersed with rain showers ever more wild flowers are coming into colour. The first Orchids have now been spotted in the Meadow and there is one that has popped up alongside the path down to the Peter Scott O
25 May 2017
Sightings 22/05/2017 - Osprey!
A nice mild morning on the reserve and flat calm conditions allowed for a nice view of around 1000 Common Scoter rafting out on the Solway. Possibly a non-breeding flock. Whilst watching these an Osprey flew in off and right past the Saltcot carrying a fi
22 May 2017
Reserve Update Saturday 20th May
The Spotted Flycatcher has been seen down the Avenue for the past three days and was in the Hawthorn bushes once more again this morning. There is also a lot of Long-tailed Tit activity high in the Sycamore trees...maybe some little ones up there so kee
20 May 2017
Reserve Update Thursday 18th May
Lovely start to the morning, with hawthorn blossom wafting on the breeze and the smell of wild garlic down the Avenue. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen briefly in the hawthorn trees on the walk.....juvenile robins and blackbirds are more evident. Sedge W
18 May 2017