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
Recent sightings
A few new waders have been passing through over the last couple of days, one of the Wood Sandpipers remains albeit distantly from Ron Barker Hide, also at least 40 Ruff, 2 juv Little Ringed Plover, 70-80 Snipe around the reserve, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Gre
28 August 2016
Sightings
Two Wood Sandpipers (adult + juv) were found this evening on Sunleys from Ron Barker Hide, they were calling frequently. Also Green Sandpiper from Harrier Hide and Common Sandpiper from Ron Barker, also the 1st summer Golden Plover was present along with
26 August 2016
Bird sightings
A gloomy calm day on site with a little light rain, classic autumn conditions for bringing in new birds. There was a noticeable influx of Snipe with up to 40 birds being seen, also at least 31 Ruff, 2 Dunlin, Common and Green Sandpiper and a nice adult Go
25 August 2016
It looking like it's going to get Otter!
Yes we aren't talking about the weather. Today two wild Otter were seen hunting from the Harrier Hide early afternoon. They caught a fish before swimming out of sight. This is the first time this species has been seen on the reserve, although 15+ years ag
22 August 2016
Bird Sightings
A good day on site with the fresh westerly and rain bringing in a few new birds, the best being a juvenile Osprey which flew through the site early afternoon and was escorted away by 2 Marsh Harriers! Juvenile Osprey being
20 August 2016
Bird News
A very quick round up of today's news; 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Peregrine, 6 Common Snipe, 16+ Dunlin, 30+ Black-tailed Godwit, 12+ Ruff,3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Greenshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover. Also 2 young Kingfishers, meaning we now have 4 or more on the re
18 August 2016
Hobby and other raptors
Just a brief update following on from yesterday's comprehensive review. A six species of raptor day with Hobby from the Ron Barker Hide late afternoon, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4+ Common Buzzard, Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrel. Twelve species of butterfly
16 August 2016
Latest Highlights
A compilation of the past few days sightings. It's currently possible to top 60 species in a days birding on the reserve. The waders are still providing plenty of possible interest with an excellent count of c.40 Dunlin out on Woodend Marsh today. We can'
15 August 2016
Bird News
No new infuxes of birds over the past couple of days, but nothing much seems to have moved on either, so lots of birds to be found. 2 Green Sandpipers, 6+ Dunlin, and 8+ Ruff (including 3 juveniles) were the most interesting waders today, and Marsh Harr
12 August 2016
Marsh Harriers and Waders
A nice selection of birds over the past couple of days with new waders dropping in and new Marsh Harriers arriving. At least 4 different Marsh Harrier with 2 juveniles, a 2nd year bird and an adult male seen around the reserve. Other raptors included a ju
10 August 2016
Recent Sightings
Still up to 4 Green Sandpipers to be seen on site along with a Common Sandpiper, also a trickle of Dunlin coming through with a count of 5 on Sunday. A juv Little Ringed Plover is still being seen from Ron Barker, also a Ringed Plover today. Snipe are bec
8 August 2016
Sightings
Plenty to see and look for at the moment with at least 2 Green Sandpipers still around, also a Little Ringed Plover, 7 Ruff and 50+ Black-tailed Godwits. The Lapwing flock continues to grow, now over 500 birds on the reserve. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull
5 August 2016
Latest Sightings
Overcast with low cloud turning very windy for the time of year on Wednesday. Interesting to note that the low cloud cover on Tuesday produced a small fall of passerine locally. On the reserve a Willow Warbler in the tit flock was probably part of that fa
3 August 2016
Latest Sightings
The arrival of August heralds a further increase in migration activity with more species leaving the breeding grounds and heading South. On the reserve it will generally be the waders that are obviously changing although many passerines also can pass thro
1 August 2016
Latest Sightings
A slight chill in the hides today as the air comes from the North West and probably helping more waders on there way! Waders still dominate with 500+ Lapwing, 250+ Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Dunlin (half and half adult/juvenile), 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Re
30 July 2016