Accessibility during autumn and winter

During the colder months, the reserve can be wet and muddy so waterproof footwear is recommended. Those with limited mobility or using push wheelchairs may find traversing the Avenue and Saltcot Loaning unsuitable. Please call us on 01387 770200 for more info.

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Latest sightings

Monday August 22nd update

Monday August 22nd update

Big upturn in duck nos. yesterday, with over 1,000 Teal distributed between The Folly Pond and pools on the merse, where a male Marsh Harrier (different to the bird that has been around the last few weeks) reduced their numbers by one... Adult Peregrine a

22 August 2016

Sunday Aug 21st

Sunday Aug 21st

Reserve lying quite wet, with a good spread of birds through several of the fields, notably 9 Black-tailed Godwits in The Ridden Field and hundreds each of Black-headed and Common Gulls. Little Grebe on Whooper Pond and decent nos of Teal and Shoveler on

21 August 2016

Reserve Update Saturday 20th August

Reserve Update Saturday 20th August

The Marsh Harrier was once again around the reserve.  This time visiting the fields alongside Avenue Tower and being kept close company by two Ravens. Bird numbers have been increasing on the Folly Pond the past few days with over 200+ Teal, 5 Wigeon, 37

20 August 2016

Reserve Update Wednesday 17th August

Reserve Update Wednesday 17th August

Numbers of Snipe are building up on the Folly Pond, joined by some Black-tailed Godwit this morning.  Elsewhere, the three Mute Swan cygnets are doing well on the Flood Ground with five cygnets still with their parents on the Whooper Pond. Today's high t

17 August 2016

Latest Sightings - 13th August

Latest Sightings - 13th August

Apologies, a bit late this morning. A bright start to the day, with just a few light showers passing through. There has been a lot of action on the Osprey nest this morning, with one of the adults and both chicks all feeding together. It's possible the fe

13 August 2016

Latest Sightings - 12th August

Latest Sightings - 12th August

Autumn migration is now underway, with waders passing through almost daily. Keep an eye out for Ruff and Green Sandpiper which have already been seen this week! Today's high tide 19:10     7.2m Around the reserve today: Wildflowers Red Clover White

12 August 2016

Thursday update, August 11th

Thursday update, August 11th

A Green Sandpiper is on The Folly Pond this morning, along with a couple of Black-tailed Godwits. Little Grebe adult and chick are still on The Teal Pond. Later yesterday there was a single Ruff, and the young Marsh Harrier was over Saltcot Merse again To

11 August 2016

Update, Wednesday August 10th

Update, Wednesday August 10th

The Meadow was cut for hay yesterday but remains open as usual until the end of this month. The usual build-up of Snipe has begun with an increase to at least eight on the Folly Pond this morning Today's high tide 18:00, 7.7m Around the reserve today: W

10 August 2016

Monday August 8th

Monday August 8th

Reserve looking pretty much as yesterday, with the Green Sandpiper again at The Whooper Pond and showing well from The Peter Scott Observatory. Three Snipe also in the vicinity. Yesterday the young Marsh Harrier was quite active out over the merse from Sa

8 August 2016

Reserve update, Sunday Aug 7th

Reserve update, Sunday Aug 7th

Single Green Sandpiper on The Whooper Pond this morning, Curlews, Black-tailed Godwits and Snipe on The Folly Pond, Little Grebe showing at The Teal Pond. Dry so far, but rather windy Today's high tide 15:59, 8.7m Around the reserve today: Wildflowers R

7 August 2016

Reserve Update Friday 5th August

Reserve Update Friday 5th August

Again Folly Pond had good numbers of waders on first thing this morning with 120+ Curlew, a single summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 5 Lapwing and 4 Teal.  Flocks of Sand Martins can be seen feeding over both Whooper Pond and Folly Pond 

5 August 2016

Quick update, Thurs Aug 4th

Quick update, Thurs Aug 4th

Folly Pond similar to yesterday, with 120+ Curlew, a single summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit, and 12 Teal. A Marsh Harrier was over Saltcot Merse this morning. Small flocks of Dunlin were moving on the tide yesterday though the visibility was very poo

4 August 2016

Reserve Update Wednesday 3rd August - Waders Galore!

Reserve Update Wednesday 3rd August - Waders Galore!

Folly Pond is the place to be this morning.  After a fairly quiet few weeks, the recent field cutting and wet weather has seen an influx of waders onto the surrounding field and muddy edges with 143 Curlew, 22 Lapwing, 2 Snipe and 1 Black-tailed Godwit p

3 August 2016

Latest Sightings - 2nd August - Tawny Owl back

Latest Sightings - 2nd August - Tawny Owl back

A busy morning with farmers on site early to continue baling and wrapping silage in the fields. The Meadow will be cut for hay soon, so if you want to see the wild flowers come down this week! Tawny Owl is once again in its tree along the Folly Hide path.

2 August 2016

Monday August 1st

Monday August 1st

No sign yet today, but yesterday morning gave great views of the young Marsh Harrier again, this time hunting over the upper merse terraces, close to Saltcot Merse Onservatory. While enjoying that spectacle, we were distracted by a Red Kite which dropped

1 August 2016