Latest sightings
Tuesday update, March 29th
Male ring-necked Duck on Whooper Pond this morning, but down to 32 Whooper Swans, from 86 yesterday. Barnacle nos. have been good albeit largely confined to the merses. Over 6,000 yesterday were disturbed briefly by a pair of Peregrines hunting co-operati
29 March 2016
Sunday March 27th update
Very blustery and showery so far today. 84 Whoopers at the early feed and good nos. of Barnacles in the Lochar Field. Still plenty of duck around but nos. dropping off as is to be expected. First Swallow for the area was seen and photographed by a visitor
27 March 2016
Reserve update, Wed March 23rd
Whoopers still around in reasonable nos, with about 60 here at the feeds and a further 70 at nearby Ruthwell. Barnacle nos have been at around 4000 but could only find 1350 earlier this am. A few Black-tailed Godwits are on the Flood Ground with some Snip
23 March 2016
Latest Sightings - 22nd March
Today's high tide is at 11:52 9m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 2500 Whooper Swans: 52 Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 52 Mute Swan 25 Mallard 35 Tufted Duck 10 Wigeon 75 Greater Scaup 1♂ Oystercatcher 2 - nest scraping Folly Pond Green-w
22 March 2016
Latest Sightings - 19th March - Spring is nearly here
Spring is fast on the way now, Skylarks are singing across the reserve, plenty of Daffodils out, and now the Primroses are in bloom. Today's high tide is at 09:34 7.9m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 2500 Whooper Swans: 43 Whooper Pond Whoo
19 March 2016
Latest Sightings - 18th March - migration in action
96 Whooper Swans on the pond this morning, but as soon as the 8:30 happened, 26 of them took off heading north east. They definitely haven't been to our feeds this winter, and are probably heading north having wintered further south. Today's high tide is
18 March 2016
(Late) reserve update, Thurs March 17th
Still about 60 Whoopers at the feeds; many having moved off during the last few days. We still await our first spring incomers though... Barnacles too remain fairly constant at about 4,000. Apologies are due today for disturbance to The Folly Pond owing
17 March 2016
Reserve update, Wed March 16th
Down to about 60 Whoopers this morning, with lots of restless activity, though still a further 80 or so at nearby Ruthwell. Greater Scaup on Whooper Pond too. Barnacles holding up here at something over 4,000. A few pairs of Pintail are in the Flood Groun
16 March 2016
Tuesday March 15th update
Whooper nos. down slightly this morning with 82 on the pond before the early feed, of which 12 were clearly new arrivals, flying off as the feed began. Still C100 feeding just off the reserve in two locations, at Ruthwell and Upper Locharwoods. Evidence t
15 March 2016
Reserve update Monday March 14th
Water Rail are still showing well on the Peter Scott Trail, Barnacles around in some nos. yesterday, over 7,000. Whooper Swan nos. holding up too, 110 at the early feed today, with more just off the reserve in three locations. Short-eared Owl again yeste
14 March 2016
Latest Sightings - 12th March
The Short-eared Owl was seen by many visitors yesterday, hunting over the saltmarsh from Saltcot Merse Observatory and also over the Folly Pond. A pair of Mute Swans are nest building in the Flood Ground now, Spring is on the way! A Warden will be in the
12 March 2016
Latest Sightings - 11th March
Early fog has now begun to lift and all the fields and ponds are visible. Only 89 Whooper Swans here now, possibly more are feeding in the local area, but some clear nights could have meant early migration for some. Our Black-headed Gull colony is buildin
11 March 2016
Latest Sightings - 10th March - Short-eared Owl
A lovely sunny day at the moment and plenty to see. The two Green-winged Teals have been showing off and on over the past few days. We have seen a Short-eared Owl over the Folly Pond the past two afternoons at about 4:30pm each day. Today's high tide is a
10 March 2016
Reserve update, Wednesday March 9th
Dry, but with a cool northerly wind today. Birds pretty much as yesterday so far. Still about 230 Whoopers in the immediate area, in 3 distinct localities. As recently about 100 at the feeds today. Barnacles are favouring the merses thus far but are in re
9 March 2016
Update, Tues March 8th
Cold wind and drizzle this morning but forecast to clear later. Most Barnacles are again "up the road" on Newmains but well visible from the Farmhouse Tower, Whoopers pretty constant at just over 100, though well over 200 in the local catchment. Male Grea
8 March 2016