Otter notice
⚠️ Otter notice ⚠️
Please note that from Mon 2 Sept to Fri 6 Sept the otters will be off show whilst we complete works on their habitat. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Latest sightings
Bird News
Two sightings of Brambling on the reserve today, one from the Janet Kear hide and another (although possibly the same bird) near the Kingfisher hide. At least 2 Little Egrets were present today, and were visible from most of the hides at some stage during
22 December 2016
Bird news
The drake Green-winged Teal was reported again yesterday from Ron Barker hide. Still 3 Goldeneye on the Mere most days, also Redpoll over yesterday along with a few flocks of Fieldfare. Little Egret from Ron Barker today also Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Buzza
19 December 2016
Recent Sightings
Apologies for the lack of bird news, partly due to computer problems and a genuine lack of sightings and reports coming in. So please do call in at the end ofyour day to report your sightings to the In Focus shop. The Tawny Owl has been showing well in th
17 December 2016
Bird News
A very dull but mild day today. A small flock of Fieldfare were in the car park this morning, as well as 20 or more Chaffinches and at least 40 Goldfinches. On the Mere, variety was the order of the day - Tufted Duck (at least 7), Pochard, Goldeneye (a si
9 December 2016
Bird News
2 Little Egrets on the Mere briefly today - although Little Egrets are seen fairly regularly on the reserve, 2 together is unusual. Also on the Mere, as many as 300 Shelduck, along with 20 Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, a single male Goldeneye, 1 Black-tailed Go
6 December 2016
Bird News
The Green-winged Teal was again present in front of the Ron Barker hide throughout the day. Bird of the day however was an Egyptian Goose which appeared on the Mere mid-morning and spent the next couple of hours moving around the reserve before retuning t
2 December 2016
Follow that Goose !
Not much bird news over the last couple of days, other than a "small group" of Bramblings on the feeder in front of the Janet Kear hide early yesterday morning. However, they were not seen later in the day. Marsh Harriers, Peregrine, and Common Buzzard co
1 December 2016
Green-winged Teal again
Slightly warmer over night melting most of the ice out on the reserve. The drake Green-winged Teal was picked out on Vinson's Marsh early afternoon. On the Mere 2 Goldeneye (female) joined big numbers of Shelduck, Pintail and Mallard. Small numbers of Tuf
27 November 2016
Woodcock Winter Wonderland
Another beautiful frost covered morning which lingered right through the day in sheltered spots. The back of the Mere iced over although the mass of wildfowl present helped keep most of the water open. Wildfowl numbers are high with 2500+ Teal and 1000+ W
26 November 2016
Bird News
A very similar day to yesterday, with great weather and lots of birds. At least 40 Black-tailed Godwits and a similar number of Ruff were on the Mere, and Kingfishers were seen from the Ron Barker and United Utilities hides, as well as a "fly-past" from t
25 November 2016
Bird News
A beautiful day with a great variety of birds to be seen. The Green-winged Teal was again present from the Ron Barker hide - although it can be difficult to pick up amongst the flocks of Common Teal at times, the vertical white bar on their American cousi
24 November 2016
Sunday Viewing
Chilly again but with light winds making it less cold than it could be. A couple of counts put the Whooper Swan numbers on 1200 and Pink-footed Geese down to 6700. Most of the Whooper Swan are feeding off the reserve at the moment. [caption id="attachment
20 November 2016
Green-winged Teal again
Wintery condition biting a little on the reserve over the past couple of days. Some excellent light too as long as you are wrapped up! Hail clouds passing by with flocks of Teal flushed by Peregrine The Green-winged T
19 November 2016
Green-winged Teal found
It was only a matter of time before a Green-winged Teal was picked out of the increasing numbers of Eurasian Teal. The confusingly named Green-winged Teal is a North American species and is probably the commonest duck to visit British waters from the stat
16 November 2016
Latest Highlights
Apologies for the lack of updates recently, normal service has now returned. Jam packed with wildfowl as many species continue to arrive as the weather gets colder across continental Europe. Recent counts produced 1910 Teal, 1010 Wigeon and 221 Shelduck.
15 November 2016