Latest sightings

We are back...

After a few computer problems we are back with some bird news! It's looking fantastic at the moment but wrap up warm! As of late the reserve is packed with ducks, geese and swans with new arrivals everyday. Over 1000+

24 November 2017

Latest Sighting

The Mere packed over the weekend Brief update for this weekend. The Pink-footed Geese count topped 15,000 and included a Greenland White-fronted Goose. Whooper Swan numbers have increased and the mornings count of 166

19 November 2017

Latest Sightings

Lots of good birding to be had at present as more wildfowl continue to arrive. There has been up 1000 Whooper Swan roosting on the reserve with the majority feeding in the surrounding area. Three Bewick’s Swan have been seen on the Ribble Estuary so mig

17 November 2017

Whooper Swan Count

Early morning count of Whooper Swan produced ~1000 birds the biggest count of the autumn so far. The birds are roosting on site with the majority feeding in the surrounding area. Three Bewick's Swan have just arrived on the Ribble Estuary so might visit t

14 November 2017

Brambling, Starlings and other birds

Northerlies putting a chill in the air but lovely and bright on Sunday at least. The huge Starling roost of 50000+ birds is attracting a lot of attention. It's worth noting that last entry onto the reserve is 3.30pm and the reserve is staying open a littl

12 November 2017

Latest Sightings

Cool in the fresh northerly today. Jam packed with birds currently, in particular the enormous roost of Starling that is happening on the Reed Bed with an estimated 50,000 birds coming in from 4pm onward viewed from the Harrier Hide area. The reserve wint

10 November 2017

New Scaup

An adult male Scaup on the Mere this morning was a new bird, and still present this afternoon, also still at least 1 Goldeneye present. The adult male Scaup on the Mere (Tony Disley) At least 2 possibly 3 Water Rail o

8 November 2017

Brambling

Two Brambling at the Janet Kear feeding station were new birds, keep checking for Hawfinch, a bird was on feeders in Southport yesterday. On Woodend Marsh viewable from UU Hide today were 2 juvenile Little Stint, 223 Snipe, 63 Ruff, 1130 Lapwing, 7 Dunlin

7 November 2017

Greenland White-fronted Geese

Late Saturday afternoon a pair of adult Greenland White-fronted Geese were found on Woodend Marsh with Canada Geese, still present on Sunday. One of the birds had a collar which looked like one of the satellite tracking devices marked X5T. Currently we ha

5 November 2017

Geese

Thousands of Pink-footed Geese coming into roost late afternoon. A Little Stint was seen on Woodend Marsh from UU Hide late afternoon, other waders included good numbers of Ruff including great photo opportunities at feeding time on the Mere. Also still 6

3 November 2017

Latest Sightings

Calm condition continued over the past two days, frosty on Monday and slightly overcast today. The day started off with a catch of 26 Pink-footed Geese on Top Mere and a few Teal. These birds have been ringed and a couple have had satellite tags added so

31 October 2017

Whoopers and other birds.

Lovely end to the weekend making up for the miserable conditions on Saturday. Whooper Swan numbers are on the up with around 260+ counted on the reserve this morning with around 100 at the 3pm feed in front of the Discovery Hide.

29 October 2017

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was among the Pink-footed Geese on Owl Marsh this morning before presumably flying off, hopefully will get seen again over the weekend. Yesterday a report of a juv White-fronted Goose in the afternoon couldn't be found later, bu

27 October 2017

Raptors

Good numbers of raptors in in recent days with up to 6-7 Marsh Harrier, juv Peregrine, 4 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, Merlin and several Common Buzzard including 1 or 2 pale birds. Common Buzzard at the edge of the Mere (Tony D

24 October 2017

Scaup

Before the wild weather arrived mid afternoon there were a few sightings of interest, the 1st winter male Scaup re-appeared on the Mere and was showing well at times alongside Tufted Duck for comparison. Also 2 redhead Goosander flew over the Mere early a

21 October 2017