Latest sightings

Recent sightings

A round up of sightings in recent days include a probable Jack Snipe flushed from the edge of Langleys brook viewed from Ron Barker Hide, also 15+ Common Snipe around the reserve. At least 6 Black tailed Godwit in recent days and a single Dunlin today and

29 November 2014

Ringing

Some ringing occurred over the birdfair weekend with totals caught; 25 Blue Tit, 14 Great Tit, 3 Coal Tit, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 7 Tree Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, 24 Greenfinch, 11 Goldfinch a

25 November 2014

Goosander

The highlight of the day was a fem/imm Goosander briefly late morning on the Mere before flying off towards Harrier Hide, this is the first record of this species this year. Other sightings included at least 1 Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and sever

24 November 2014

Latest Sightings

Some excitement early afternoon with a report of a drake American Wigeon. The bird disappeared for an hour and when it was relocated a close inspection revealed it was a hybrid. Easily done and one of the potential pitfalls that occurs especially with wil

20 November 2014

Latest Sightings

A delayed up date on what's around on the reserve. A count of Pink-footed Geese over the weekend produced just over 9000 birds and a total of nearly 42000 in Lancashire as a whole. The Whooper Swan numbers decreased slightly to 957 with some birds moving

18 November 2014

Snow Goose

The Lesser Snow Goose (white morph) which has been roaming the area with Pink-footed Geese for the last week put in an appearance when it flew North over the reserve early afternoon. The bird was seen out on the Ribble with Pink's yesterday so hopefully w

15 November 2014

Green-winged Teal

A drake Green-winged Teal was found from Ron Barker Hide today, so hopefully it will stick around for all to see this North American version of our Teal, now afforded full species status after spending many years as a sub-species.

13 November 2014

Latest Sightings

Plenty of activity throughout the reserve with most wildfowl counts on the increase. No specific data as such but the wardens are working on that. Everything bar Pink-footed Geese will be increasing in number, especially with the onset of colder condition

11 November 2014

Water Rail

The Water Rail is still showing from the Ron Barker Hide along with 1-2 Kingfisher. Still good numbers of raptors on site with 8+ Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, Kestrel Sparrowhawk and Peregrine. Sunset over the Mere at

9 November 2014

Recent Sightings

The 5 Avocet were still present yesterday but no sign today, but a single Dunlin was present. Still good numbers of Ruff with at least 50 being counted today. Good numbers of Pink-footed Geese still in the area with up to 17,000 roosting on the Mere overn

8 November 2014

Latest Sightings

A chillier feel today with a few showers moving through. Five Avocet today are late migrants. It would be interesting to know where these birds have come in from? Other waders include 30+ Ruff, 800+ Lapwing 10+ Common Snipe and a probable Dunlin. Yesterd

6 November 2014

Six species of Raptor

A good raptor day, free from rain bright and sunny for most of the day. A Merlin was pick of the bunch with 2 Peregrine, 6+ Common Buzzard, 2+ Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. The wildfowl numbers are continuing to build although we have had no r

4 November 2014

Woodcock

The first sighting of Woodcock this autumn with a bird which was flushed along the new Wild Walk inside the waterfowl gardens. Well worth keeping an eye out for Woodcock from now on from the Janet Kear Hide. Peregrines (adult male and imm female) hunting

2 November 2014

Willow Tit

A late sighting from yesterday was a Willow Tit seen near the Ron Barker hide, hopefully more sightings to come of this scarce Lancashire bird. Lots of sightings to report from today, winter Thrushes were seen with up to 120 Fieldfare and 50 Redwing and S

31 October 2014

Whoopers

A frosty and misty start to the day followed by a very pleasant day with great viewing. An early morning count produced 500 Whooper Swan, a good count for the end of October. Quite a few reports coming in from Scotland of Whoopers moving in the past few d

29 October 2014