News
Latest Sightings - 26th February
An overcast but dry day on the reserve so far. The Whooper Swans are spread out across the reserve and surrounding fields as they have been the past few months so keep an eye out for them. Pink-footed Geese have been mixed in with Barnacle Geese at the ro
26 February 2016
Reserve update, Thurs Feb 25th
A bright, crisp, frosty morning, with the Whoopers and Mutes dispersed over several areas on the reserve, notably the Flood Ground, where there is less ice. Ducks similarly are concentrated there. Plenty of Barnacle about, largely concentrated on the mer
25 February 2016
Wenesday, Feb 24th
Still cold but with light cloud cover. At least 3500 Barnacles and all the other usual suspects. Apologies in advance for any disturbance to the Whooper Pond and the swan feeds; today is our swan-catch day, fingers and toes crossed for that off the back o
24 February 2016
Reserve update Tuesday Feb 23rd
Cold, calm and sunny today so far. The reserve looks pretty much as yesterday. The Peter Scott Trail is good value with its Water Rails, Kingfisher, Tree Sparrows and a couple of Bramblings. 5500 Barnacles along with the usual 160ish Whoopers provide a w
23 February 2016
Reserve update Monday Feb 22nd
A brighter day, and should remain dry. A good roost of 50 or so Redshank on Folly Pond currently. Yesterday the male Hen Harrier and a Short-eared Owl performed well over the merses, the Tawny Owl maintains a vigil from its box overlooking the Whooper Po
22 February 2016
Latest Sightings - 20th February - Curlew galore!
The Tawny Owl is still in its box next to the Whooper Pond and has been seen hunting in the evening by the visitors staying in our Farmhouse. Today's high tide is at 10:49 8.6m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 5500 Whooper Swans: 150 Whoope
20 February 2016
Latest Sightings - 19th February - TWO Green-winged Teals
We have now confirmed that there are TWO Green-winged Teals on the reserve. One is on the Folly Pond as usual and a second is on the Flood Ground from the Avenue Tower. Today's high tide is at 09:52 8.1m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 5500
19 February 2016
Latest Sightings - 18th February - frozen but sunny
It's the second day of our Scottish Puddle Jumping Championships, come down and make a splash 10am - 1pm! Wellies are essential to get down the Saltcot Loaning, the Avenue is just about passable with walking boots. The drake Greater Scaup has moved over t
18 February 2016
Latest Sightings - 17th February - wet again...
Very wet overnight means there are plenty of puddles for the start of the Scottish Puddle Jumping Championships today. Wellies are again recommended for getting down the Avenue and essential for the Saltcot Loaning. No sign of the Tawny Owl in the doorway
17 February 2016
Latest Sightings - 16th February - Tawny Owl back in its box
A cold wind is making temperatures feel a lot lower than they are today. Drake Greater Scaup and drake Green-winged Teal still in their usual places this morning. The Tawny Owl is back in its box overlooking the Whooper Pond. It is best viewed from the Pe
16 February 2016
Latest Sightings - 13th February - another sunny day!
A fourth sunny day in a row, we are certainly on a roll now. A lot of Barnacle Geese on the merses this morning, hopefully they move into the fields as it warms up. Drake Green-winged Teal is back in its usual spot on the Folly Pond and the drake Greater
13 February 2016
Latest Sightings - 12th February
Another bright but cold morning on the reserve. Today's high tide is at 14:53 9.9m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 2500 Whooper Swans: 147 Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 147 Mute Swan 55 Mallard 40 Tufted Duck 15 Wigeon 50 Canada Geese 30
12 February 2016
Reserve update Wed Feb 10th
A beautiful bright, calm and crisp day. 14 Little Egrets today is a reserve record. The Flood Ground especially looks great in the low winter sun, with a good variety of duck in good numbers, wspecially Teal and Wigeon of course. Decent nos. of Whoopers a
10 February 2016
Reserve update Tues Feb 9th
Two leucistic Barnacles and a hybrid on the reserve currently for anyone looking for the Snow Goose to be aware of. No sign of the latter as yet, but probably lurking out there somewhere. There is the best part of 200 Whoopers around, if we include the 27
9 February 2016
Monday, Feb 8th
A bit calmer today, and dry currently, though quite a drop of rain overnight. Decent swan nos. first thing, and the Greater Scaup drake still on the Whooper Pond. The Snow Goose is around again, though just off the reserve at nearby Newmains, on the road
8 February 2016