Latest Sightings
The distant call of a Cuckoo was heard this morning outside Harrier Hide, and 1 Kingfisher was heard on Saturday. Another Kingfisher has been showing beautifully today at Ron Barker hide. On the Reedbed Walk, the Bittern, often unseen but can be heard 'booming', was spotted briefly in flight, emerging from the reeds to hunt for fish.
A male Mute Swan put on a fantastic territorial display from Harrier Hide on Saturday, when another male entered his lake, now seen on Woodend Marsh. It is certainly big enough for the two pairs of Great Crested Grebe, both witnessed nest building.
2 Little Grebe, 4 Shoveler, 17 Gadwall and 5 Pochard were also counted from Harrier hide over the weekend. The Reedbeds are a great place to hear Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting and more. Warblers are also visible at Mere View hide with Sedge and Reed Warbler spotted today.
At Janet Kear hide, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen on the feeders and in the trees today. Blackcap, Bullfinch and various songbirds can be seen here, as well as on the nature trail to Ron Barker.
Avocets are visible on Woodend Marsh, with some also feeding on the Mere. Other waders can be seen, including Black-Tailed Godwits, Redshank, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, and 1 Wood Sandpiper. United Utilities offer an amazing view, or you can go to Rees, Gordon Taylor or Tomlinson hide for a closer look.
Linnet, Whitethroat, Greenfinch and Whinchat may be observed on the trail leading to Tomlinson hide. As you pass by Longmeadow field with the English Longhorn cattle, look out for Stonechat, Wheatear, Lapwings and Cattle Egret. You may also see these species from Ron Barker hide, where the large herd of Longhorns are situated. Roe Deer have been witnessed here, so be sure to keep an eye out.
Over at Ron Barker hide, 1 male and 1 female Marsh Harrier were seen in courtship yesterday. 1 Merlin was seen at the weekend, and 1 Sparrowhawk was observed today.
There are 2 Whooper Swans summering on site, moving around the reserve and sometimes frequenting the Mere.
On the Mere today, 4 Common Tern have been spotted amongst the nesting Black-Headed Gulls. 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls and 1 Great Black-Backed Gull have also be seen recently. 1 Little Egret, 10 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 5 Oystercatchers, 6 Tufted Ducks and 8+ Swallows were counted today.
Photograph of a Cuckoo.
