News
Latest Sightings - 20th September - Barnies and Egret still
33 Barnacle Geese are on the merse this morning, visible at a distance from the Farmhouse Tower and Saltcot Merse Observatory. The Great Egret is also out on the merse. 8 Pintail are currently on the Folly Pond, the males still in eclipse plumage, they bl
20 September 2016
Late update, Sunday 18th Sept
No further change in the Barnacle Goose situation, with approx. 30 still on the same section of merse as reported by Joe yesterday. Great Egret still out on the merse too. C50 Dunlin on Folly Pond at high tide along with the usuals Today's high tide 13:24
18 September 2016
Latest Sightings - Saturday 17th September - First Barnacle Geese arrive!
It looks like we have our first BARNACLE GEESE of the season, 29 are currently feeding and washing out on the merse. They can be viewed from the Farmhouse Tower and the Saltcot Merse Observatory. Today's high tide 13:24, 9.7m Around the reserve today: Wh
17 September 2016
Thursday September 15th
Once more the Folly Pond holds most of the interest, with a good flock of Black-tailed Godwits (C100), 3 Ruff and a Greenshank, along with ever more Shoveler (22) and lots of Teal. Great White Egret and Goshawk again yesterday Today's high tide 12:03, 8.8
15 September 2016
Quick update, Tuesday September 13th
Reserve looks largely as yesterday; most activity is focussed on The Folly Pond again, where 178 Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank number among the 2200 Teal. The Great Egret is still present, having moved as usual from Folly Pond out to Saltcot Merse
13 September 2016
Monday September 12th update
Plenty to look out for again today, especially on the Folly Pond and in The Corner Field/Prince Philip's Field where there was a total of 3000 Teal yesterday and still similar nos. today, along with 172 Black-tailed Godwits and the odd Ruff and Greensha
12 September 2016
Latest Sightings - Saturday 10th Sept - Whooper Swan, Great Egret, Marsh Harrier!
A fantastic morning on the reserve after last night's wind and rain. Over 2000 Teal have now arrived, with 1100 on the Folly Pond and a further 1000 in Prince Phillip's Field. Amongst them are 11 Wigeon, 3 Pintail and 14 Shoveler. Also around the site ar
10 September 2016
Reserve Sightings 09/09/2016
A windy start to the day with a couple of heavy showers. Plenty of birds sheltering on the Folly Pond, with over 100 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff and a single Greenshank. A few more Wigeon have arrived with 11 birds in total, as well as 400+ Teal an
9 September 2016
Reserve Update Thursday 8th September
Well, a blustery and wet start to the morning. Over a hundred lapwing are on Folly Pond, joined by the usual suspects of Teal, Shoveler and Snipe. The Great Egret made a brief appearance there yesterday afternoon. A handful of Black-tailed Godwit we
8 September 2016
Reserve Update Wednesday 7th September
The Black-tailed Godwits have now moved on from the Folly Pond. However, there are good numbers of Lapwing in compensation, along with a Greenshank, Teal, Snipe and Shoveler. Down at Avenue Tower, the Willow Warbler are still around and are joined by Go
7 September 2016
Latest Sightings - Monday 5th September
Migration is definitely underway with Swallows lining up along the wires. Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers are all along the Avenue, and two Whinchat are in the cover crop at the Avenue Tower along with a Wheatear. Whinchat
5 September 2016
Reserve Update Saturday 3rd September
The Swallow chicks are now flying although they are making regular pitstops back into the Teal Pond Hide. Two Sparrowhawks were seen along the Avenues, one of which was lurking in the hedgerow next to the Paddock in the hopes of an easy meal. The Folly
3 September 2016
Latest Sightings - Friday 2nd September
The Swallows have almost fledged 3 chicks in the Teal Pond Hide. This is the second brood to be fledged from the nest. Today's high tide 13:51 9.2m Around the reserve today: Whooper Pond Mute swan 2 + 7 large cygnets Canada Geese 6 Mallard 140
2 September 2016
Thursday 1st September update
The Great Egret and Marsh Harriers were around yesterday. No sign of them yet this morning, but it's definitely worth a look! Great Egret flying over the Folly Pond. Photo taken by Alex Hillier As of today, Su
1 September 2016
Reserve Update Wednesday 31st August
Great White Egret has moved up to Folly Pond this morning. It is joined by 118 Black-Tailed Godwits, 600 Teal, 33 Snipe, 24 Curlew, 3 Wigeon and 2 Pintail. The Peregrine Falcon and juvenile Marsh Harrier have both been observed down on the merse at Sa
31 August 2016