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.
The first proper frost of this winter period, overcast for most of the day with light winds. This morning's dawn count produced 1360 Whooper Swan. Quite surprised at the total even though it has been obvious that new birds have been arriving over the week
8 November 2016
Overcast and chilly but excellent visibilty. Bird of the day was Cattle Egret which was seen just off the reserve arounf midday before being seen on the Mere in the afternoon. As noted before on here there has been a considerable influx of Cattle Egret in
6 November 2016
The chilly northerly air flow makes for excellent viewing as long as you have got several layers on! Although no count it appears there has been an influx of Whooper Swan on the back of the weather with 600+ birds present this morning. The Pink-footed Gee
5 November 2016
A brief update. If you check the previous 3 of 4 sightings updates you will get a good idea how busy the reserve is at the moment with wildfowl, geese and swans. Raptors; Peregrine (ad), 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk. Green S
4 November 2016
An overcast, cool and moody looking day although no rain until late on. The first Hen Harrier of the autumn/winter, a rintail bird flew North around midday. Other raptors included Marsh Harrier, 2 adult Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrel. With the rec
3 November 2016
Beautiful weather, along with a good variety (and number!) of birds has made the past couple of days a joy to experience! Lots of Whooper Swans here, with numbers slowly increasing to the point where there are currently about 600 birds on the Mere. Lots o
2 November 2016
A brief update. Six European White-fronted Geese (2 adult + 4 juv) with Pink-footed Geese from the Ron Barker Hide early afternoon. C.20000 Pink-footed Geese on the reserve by late afternoon. Possibly more Whooper Swan today although many birds are off th
30 October 2016
Compilation of sighting from the past few days. A minimum of 20000 Pink-footed Geese currently roosting. As we go into November the numbers will drop back as birds move on to Norfolk. A White-fronted Goose was present with the flock on friday. No obvious
29 October 2016
Very active across the reserve today with 10-15000 Pink-footed Geese back on the reserve by early afternoon and more roosting. In with the Pink-footed Geese singles of Greenland and European White-fronted Geese and two Barnacle Geese. Three Marsh Harrier
26 October 2016
Yesterday's roost count of 30050 Pink-footed Geese was the highest of the Autumn so far. The count was part of the coordinated occuring in Lancashire (and elsewhere). The complete figures for Lancashire haven't been complied just yet but the final count w
24 October 2016
More light easterlies and ideal viewing as more winter vistors arrive. First Woodcock of the autumn was flush along the Nature Trail path near the Kingfisher Hide. Keep an eye out for this species from the Janet Kear Hide. A definite influx of Goldcrest w
22 October 2016
A lovely day with light winds, still warm in the sun and not too cool in the hides. Plenty of Whooper Swan in with at least 300 birds this morning. A few family parties of 3 and 4 young. Always a sight watching Whooper Swa
21 October 2016
More swans arrived today, with around 400 on the Mere at dusk. Amongst them was a single Black Swan, an Australian species which is popular in wildfowl collections, and which has been recorded every year recently with returning Whoopers. The have also bee
20 October 2016
The change of wind direction yesterday was exactly what the Whooper Swans have been waiting for, with around 170 arriving on the Mere overnight, and over 300 present by late afternoon. Numbers of Pink-footed Geese also seem to have increased, but no accu
19 October 2016
Highest count of the autumn so far if Pink-footed Geese with 25500 in the roost this morning. Great time of year to pick out rarer geese among these flocks. No Whooper Swan influx as yet although this coming week should bring birds in.
17 October 2016