Otter notice
⚠️ Otter notice ⚠️
Please note that from Mon 2 Sept to Sun 8 Sept the otters will be off show whilst we complete works on their habitat. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
At least 1 probably 2 Kingfishers have been showing well from Ron Barker hide today other sightings from here included 2 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover. Good numbers of Ruff on site today with unto 23 birds mainly on the Mere with c100 Black-tailed Godwit and
18 July 2015
An adult Mediterranean Gull has been seen on the Mere on a number of occasions in the last couple of days. Increasing numbers of Lapwings (300+ today), Black-tailed Godwits (100+), and Starlings (600+) are giving the Mere an increasingly Autumnal feel, (p
17 July 2015
More new birds in with 4 Dunlin (3 adult and the seasons first juvenile), 230 Black-tailed Godwit, 4+ Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 300+ Lapwing, 6+ Oystercatcher, 2 Avocet and 12 Ruff. The birds roam around when flushed by raptors but most activ
15 July 2015
Early cloud cover and a few spots of rain cleared later followed by a fresher North Westerly and sunshine. The second Wood Sandpiper of the year on the reserve feeding in the shallower areas to the left of the Harrier Hide. The number of post breeding Lap
14 July 2015
A murky day with misty rain on and off making visibility difficult at times. On the up side of that it did feel 'rare' today although at the time of writing this no 'mega's' have been found.. A nice influx of Black-tailed Godwit is underway as more bird
13 July 2015
First Peregrine for a few weeks when an imm/juv female zipped through the reserve mid afternoon. Marsh Harrier still present regularly seen from the Harrier Hide but also around the reserve. At least 8 Common Buzzard (some distant), 3 Kestrel and Sparrowh
12 July 2015
A Little Egret was the star bird for many today, showing on and off from both the Harrier and United Utilitiy hides. Wader numbers fairly static at the moment, with 13 Ruff, at least 50 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers an
10 July 2015
Nearly a 15 degree drop in temperature compared to this time last week as the winds swing round to a North Westerly direction. A good selection of species to be seen around the reserve with 60+ easily doable in a full day. Our current star birds are the f
8 July 2015
As we move through July we should see more new birds drifting onto the reserve as post breeding birds start to move around. Today new arrivals included 2 Common Sandpiper out on Woodend Marsh, 4 Common Snipe dropped in during a rain shower. Other waders i
6 July 2015
A Cuckoo again this morning from the Ron Barker Hide. The bird was seen carrying an egg in it's mouth which it apparently swallowed. Pretty much a sure sign that it had just laid one of it's eggs in a host's nest. The pair of Common Tern out on Woodend Ma
5 July 2015
A very pleasant day with good visibility early on becoming breezy in the afternoon. CLICK TO ENLARGE A Greenshank was new in this morning flying from Woodend Marsh to Vinson's and Sunley's. Only the second record this
4 July 2015
A first summer Hobby flew south over the reserve late morning grabbing a couple of insect meals on it's way through. In the afternoon the bird was hunting in front of the Harrier Hide and perching on the old 'telegraph' poles. It's prey could have been th
3 July 2015
Six male Ruff showing various degrees of breeding plumage from the Ron Barker hide today, including one particularly bright orangey-red bird. A group of at least 5 Common Terns flew over the Mere, where elsewhere on the reserve Great Crested Grebe, Avocet
2 July 2015
Wood Sandpiper on Vinson's Marsh Click to enlarge Wood Sandpiper still present late afternoon from the Ron Barker. Other waders present today include 150 Black-tailed Godwit, 100+
29 June 2015
An adult Wood Sandpiper from Ron Barker was the best new sighting of the day, showing well near the hide, also 2 Ruff from here and 4+ Little ringed Plover. An imm female Marsh Harrier is present and touring the reserve, also good numbers of Black-tailed
28 June 2015