Latest Sightings
On Thursday evening, we heard the first male Bittern of the year making its 'booming' mating call in the Reedbeds. We'll keep an eye out to see if he is successful in attracting a female.
Lapwings are making use of the wet grassland habitat in the fields behind the Mere and you will often see them flying around.
Over the weekend, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 20 Shovelers, 9 Cormorants, and 2 Redshank were counted on the Mere.
The water level in the Mere has been lowered to create more rocky islands for breeding birds and feeding areas for waders like Black-Tailed Godwit, Ruff, Oystercatchers and Avocets, of which there are plenty.
Over 50 Avocet were counted from Rees hide on Saturday. Also seen were 3 Little Egret, 2 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls and 2 Sand Martins.
29 Gadwall were seen from Harrier hide and 1 Cetti's Warbler was heard.
At Janet Kear hide, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Goldcrest and over 10 Chiffchaff were observed. Another Great Spotted Woodpecker was spotted near Ron Barker hide, where 2 Grey Heron, 1 Green Sandpiper and 2 Marsh Harrier were also seen.
1 Great White Egret can be seen on the Mere today. Wigeon, Pintail, Shelduck, Mallard and Teal can be seen around the reserve.
Photograph of a Bittern.
