Latest sightings
A cold snap
The weather has certainly been cold but it has brought the Bewick's swans in overnight, upto 29 in a night. There has been 3 seperate viewings of the bittern, but nothing this week. All the usual beauties are showing well; Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Longtailed
25 January 2013
Bittern!
This morning the second sighting of a Bittern was had by one of our younger visitors, who managed a few pictures to confirm. While watching from the scrape hide a bittern flew up and drifted into the main reedbed in front of the reedbed hide.
14 January 2013
Floods of water and birds!!
Recent flooding of the grounds and reserve have caused many changes. Some birds have decreased such as Snipe and Shelduck, being replaced by higher numbers of Teal (100-200), Gadwall (40) and Lapwing (120). Kingfishers, Little Grebe, Cormorant and Grey He
30 December 2012
Snipe bonanza!
Incredible numbers of Snipe with between 70-80 visible most days, mainly from the Scrape and Sand Martin hides. True numbers we can only guess at, but in recent times this is an all time high. Kingfishers are still continuing to delight visitors, again th
19 December 2012
Pintail sighting
Excitement this morning as three Pintail arrived in front of the Sand Martin hide. The two drakes were in fine plumage and with the morning sunshine they lit up the scrape. Kingfishers showing really well today from Ramsar, Sand martin and Scrape hides. A
25 November 2012
I spy snipe!
Good counts of Snipe this morning with a total of over 30 that could actually be seen. Majority were from the Ramsar and Sand martin hides. Kingfishers continue to be seen on a regular daily basis, along with Cormorants and Grey herons. 38 Teal in front
18 November 2012
Summer / Autumn change over
The Autumn migration is now operating in both directions. Warblers and hirundines continue to pass through on their way south to warmer climes and the winter visitors from the far north begin to arrive. Highlight today was a Spotted Flycatcher near the Ra
11 October 2012
Kingfisher gems
Although Kingfishers have been showing well around most of the reserve, for those who can be prepared to wait, there is the chance of seeing an individual which has been using the perches in front of the sand martin hide. Morning and late afternoon seem t
27 September 2012
Autumnal changes
Apart from the cooler weather during the evenings and mornings, the birds are certainly well aware of the seasons. Sand martins have been seen in great numbers this autumn passage, with 20 plus at a time checking out the nesting tunnels on the sand marti
23 September 2012
Sand martin richness
Great excitement this morning as around 60 Sand martins were feeding over the reserve, then some twenty were observed at close quarters as they checked out the sand martin hide nesting banks. Several poked their heads in to the tunnels while many more hov
6 September 2012
Wildlife sightings
At least 17 Teal from the Ramsar hide today, along with the usual herons. A Snipe has put in an appearance today, the first of the autumn. Highlight today was a Marsh Tit calling from the hedgerow at the edge of the wet grassland. This is a bird that is s
4 September 2012
Butterflies and dragons
Good numbers of dragonflies at last with Emperor, Blacktailed skimmer, Common Darter, Brown, Southern and Migrant hawkers, Blue tailed, Common and Azure damselflies. The main butterflies at the moment are Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell,
26 August 2012
Insects Galore!
The hot weather has at last brought out the insects in force. Most notable sighting was a White Admiral butterfly which probably wandered from the woodland areas to the north. Other butterflies include Green veined white, Red admiral, Painted lady, Peacoc
26 July 2012
Insects galore!
The hot weather has at last brought out the insects in force. Most notable sighting was a White Admiral butterfly which probably wandered from the woodland areas to the north. Other butterflies includ [...]
26 July 2012
Green sandpiper
A lovely Green sandpiper feeding on the wet grassland pools from the Lapwing hide. This is the first time this species has been recorded on this newly created area and gives real promise for more sightings of this and other wader species. Cormorants, Litt
19 July 2012