News
Latest Sightings - 7th October - over 6000 Barnies now!
More Barnacle Geese have arrived overnight with a fantastic 8318 on the reserve this morning! The Great Egret is amongst the Barnies out on the merse. 13 Whooper Swans are on the Folly Pond, but they are very mobile at present, often feeding in stubble fi
7 October 2016
Reserve Update Thursday 6th October - Barnacles are arriving
The influx of Barnacle Geese slowly crept up through the day yesterday with 1,200 recorded during this mornings count in Corner Field. These birds have now moved down onto the Merse and are best viewed from Saltcot Observatory. The Great Egret is also
6 October 2016
Reserve Update Wednesday 5th October
Keep your eyes peeled for the Whooper Swans on your drive into the reserve this morning as they are favouring the stubble fields at the road end. Twenty four did drop into Folly Pond for a brief spell yesterday afternoon. The Great White Egret continu
5 October 2016
Tuesday October 4th
Whooper Swans are still operating just to the north of the reserve near the end of the approach road, about a mile from the centre here. These can just about be seen from The Farmhouse Tower and have increased from yesterday's 12 up to 19. They're coming!
4 October 2016
Monday update, October 3rd
12 Whooper Swans are just off the reserve to the north and just visible with binoculars/telescope, to the north at Newmains Pond from The Farmhouse Tower. No real change in the Barnacle Goose situation, with 4 birds alongside the above-mentioned Whooper
3 October 2016
Sunday 2nd October - a trickle of Barnacles
10 Barnacle Geese are feeding in Low Middle Field, along with 270 Pinkfeet. These are probably the first arrivals since the early group of 36 came in a fortnight ago and may just be the first genuine migrants from Svalbard for the winter season. Just one
2 October 2016
Latest Sightings - 1st October - First Whoopers arrive and more Pink-feet!
After 3 Whooper Swans arrived on the reserve yesterday, we now have 8 adult Whoopers this morning. They are currently feeding in the Ridden Field near the Avenue Tower. Clearly it was a good night for migration. As well as the extra Whoopers, we have 137
1 October 2016
Reserve Update Friday 30th September
Wigeon numbers are building up on the reserve with birds to be seen at Folly Pond, Whooper Pond, out on the Flood Ground and Merse. A Peregrine was once again seen swooping along the Merse from the Avenue Tower yesterday afternoon. Once again we would l
30 September 2016
Latest Sightings - 29th September
Very windy on the reserve, but visibility is much improved on yesterday. Unfortunately we have had to close the Coffee Shop today to allow the new kitchen to be fitted. It will also be closed tomorrow (Friday) but open as normal on Saturday. We apologise
29 September 2016
Reserve Update Wednesday 28th September
Blustery, breezy day again today. A solitary osprey was observed flying across the merse first thing this morning. The female sparrowhawk was once again lurking around the Folly Pond, making the ducks and waders slightly nervous. Good numbers of sho
28 September 2016
Quick update Tuesday Sept 27th
A rather dreich day so far with relatively poor visibility; should clear a bit later. No additions to the 36 Barnacles yet, making this one of the later arrival years; likewise Whoopers are yet to show but could be any time soon. Folly Pond still producin
27 September 2016
Latest Sightings - Sat 24th September - Great Egret still here
The Great Egret has popped in on the Folly Pond this morning before heading back out onto the merse. The Folly is definitely the place to be, with great numbers of duck and waders out there! Today's high tide 19:21, 7.8m Around the reserve today: Whooper
24 September 2016
Latest Sightings - 23rd September - a 3 Peregrine day
The 36 Barnacle Geese are still out on the merse in their usual spot this morning and they haven't been joined by any more just yet. 3 Peregrines are around the site today, two are at separate ends of the merse and one is on a fenceline in the Lochar Fi
23 September 2016
Reserve Update Thursday 22nd September
The Barnacle Geese are still out on the Merse this morning, together with smaller numbers of Pink footed Geese compared to yesterday (and large numbers of Canada Geese!) The Great Egret is also to be found out on the Merse and is best viewed from the Fa
22 September 2016
Latest Sightings - 21st September - Pink-feet and a Fox
240 Pink-footed Geese are feeding in the Corner Field this morning, including two leucistic (pale) individuals. Great views from upstairs in the Peter Scott Observatory. 36 Barnacle Geese are still out on the merse, a Fox running around them. Today's hig
21 September 2016