Latest Sighting
Variable weather over the past few days, none of which produce any rarities as such although a few passage Wheatear were recorded from the United Utilities Hide over the weekend. Quite a few wagtails on the move today.
The influx of Common Snipe continues. Difficult to judge accurate numbers here of this species but certainly over 100 on the reserve. Other waders recorded included Wood Sandpiper on Sunley's Marsh today, 400+ Lapwing, 20+ Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, Greenshank and a number of Black-tailed Godwit.
On the raptor front Merlin was seen briefly on Saturday, at least 10 Common Buzzard (some distant), 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine and Marsh Harrier. On friday a Hobby was seen to catch a Swallow over the Reed Bed and eat it on the wing!
On the wildfowl front 500+ Teal and small numbers of Gadwall, Wigeon and Shoveler mostly in eclipse plumage. At least 500 feral Greylag Geese present as numbers continue to build. A feral flock of adult Snow Geese (~22) flew over the reserve on Sunday. These birds have been roaming the North West for a few weeks now.
Again flocks of Stock Dove showing well around the Mere.
Two Kingfishers seen from the Ron Barker Hide and flying over the Mere.
Plenty of hirundines with Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin.
Good views of Brown Hare and Stoat again from the Ron Barker Hide.
The Swan Link Hide is now closed and is being dismantled. End of an era although one of potentially cold awkward viewing! Some cracking birds seen from there over the years including Frankin's Gull, Black-winged Pratincole and Black-winged Stilt to name a few.
Rarest sighting over the past few days turned out to be a partial Kelvin-Helmholtz wave. We'll let you look that up on the internet but here is a picture of it.
It should be possible to see at least 50 species of bird in a day without too much effort, although a telescope is very useful from most of the hides.
If you are visiting the reserve, pop in to the In Focus shop where we have a full list of birds, and should be able to point you in the right direction to get the most out of your visit.
