News
(Late) reserve update, Thurs March 17th
Still about 60 Whoopers at the feeds; many having moved off during the last few days. We still await our first spring incomers though... Barnacles too remain fairly constant at about 4,000. Apologies are due today for disturbance to The Folly Pond owing
17 March 2016
Reserve update, Wed March 16th
Down to about 60 Whoopers this morning, with lots of restless activity, though still a further 80 or so at nearby Ruthwell. Greater Scaup on Whooper Pond too. Barnacles holding up here at something over 4,000. A few pairs of Pintail are in the Flood Groun
16 March 2016
Tuesday March 15th update
Whooper nos. down slightly this morning with 82 on the pond before the early feed, of which 12 were clearly new arrivals, flying off as the feed began. Still C100 feeding just off the reserve in two locations, at Ruthwell and Upper Locharwoods. Evidence t
15 March 2016
Reserve update Monday March 14th
Water Rail are still showing well on the Peter Scott Trail, Barnacles around in some nos. yesterday, over 7,000. Whooper Swan nos. holding up too, 110 at the early feed today, with more just off the reserve in three locations. Short-eared Owl again yeste
14 March 2016
Latest Sightings - 12th March
The Short-eared Owl was seen by many visitors yesterday, hunting over the saltmarsh from Saltcot Merse Observatory and also over the Folly Pond. A pair of Mute Swans are nest building in the Flood Ground now, Spring is on the way! A Warden will be in the
12 March 2016
Latest Sightings - 11th March
Early fog has now begun to lift and all the fields and ponds are visible. Only 89 Whooper Swans here now, possibly more are feeding in the local area, but some clear nights could have meant early migration for some. Our Black-headed Gull colony is buildin
11 March 2016
Latest Sightings - 10th March - Short-eared Owl
A lovely sunny day at the moment and plenty to see. The two Green-winged Teals have been showing off and on over the past few days. We have seen a Short-eared Owl over the Folly Pond the past two afternoons at about 4:30pm each day. Today's high tide is a
10 March 2016
Reserve update, Wednesday March 9th
Dry, but with a cool northerly wind today. Birds pretty much as yesterday so far. Still about 230 Whoopers in the immediate area, in 3 distinct localities. As recently about 100 at the feeds today. Barnacles are favouring the merses thus far but are in re
9 March 2016
Update, Tues March 8th
Cold wind and drizzle this morning but forecast to clear later. Most Barnacles are again "up the road" on Newmains but well visible from the Farmhouse Tower, Whoopers pretty constant at just over 100, though well over 200 in the local catchment. Male Grea
8 March 2016
Around the reserve, Monday 7th March
Still on only around 2000 Barnacles in the fields and merses, and just over 100 Whoopers at the feeds today, though perhaps as many as 300 in the immediate locality. A Merlin overflew the Avenue earlier, where three Magpies were a less than usual sighting
7 March 2016
Reserve update Wed 2nd March
Barnacle nos. relatively low today, but good close views currently nonetheless. The Tawny Owl has been fending off Jackdaws at the nestbox again and Water Rails are still affording close views periodically under the Peter Scott Trail feeders. Whoopers in
2 March 2016
Tues March 1st update
Much milder today, but breezy and showery. 26mm of rain overnight must mean that it's the start of (meteorological) spring today... The Tawny Owl remains on watch from its box overlooking the Whooper Pond where the lone male Greater Scaup is still hanging
1 March 2016
Around the reserve, Tuesday Feb 29th
A touch milder today but feeling colder in the stiff SW breeze. Still a few Bramblings and Water Rails on the Peter Scott Trail, and male Greater Scaup on Whooper Pond, along with about 120 Whooper Swans. Barnacle Geese quite widely dispersed now as is no
29 February 2016
Update, Sunday Feb 28th
Still sunny and calm, with a thin sheet of ice on some outlying pools. The ever watchful Tawny Owl remains at the entrance hole to its nestbox, visible from the Peter Scott Observatory. The feed station continues to supply close views of Water Rails, alon
28 February 2016
Latest Sightings - 27th February
A lovely sunny day at the moment and plenty to see. The Tawny Owl was sunning itself in the entrance to its box overlooking the Whooper Pond earlier. Today's high tide is at 14:54 8.8m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 3000 Whooper Swans: 125
27 February 2016