Latest sightings

Bird News

Relatively quiet on the migration front as we enter the longest day. Most of the 60-70 species present are local breeding birds or part of some post breeding movements. Barn Owls are feeding young so it's a good time to catch them here. One adult bird was

21 June 2014

Cuckoo

Another pleasant day out and about. Observers in the Janet Kear Hide caught some rarely seen activity in the shape of a Cuckoo flying into the reeds and coming out carrying an egg, presumably of Reed Warbler, to leave its own egg in place. Some wildfowl c

16 June 2014

Owls

A two species of owl day with Tawny Owl showing in trees between the Janet Kear Hide and the UU Hide. Barn Owl hunting from the Ron Barker Hide. A good selection of waders including breeding plumage male Ruff, an elusive Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plo

15 June 2014

Ruff

A breeding plumaged male Ruff along with 2-3 Reeves (females) was on view from United Utilities Hide today along with a 1st cal year Little Gull and a single Common Tern. Other waders on site include Little Ringed Plover and Green Sandpiper, also lots of

13 June 2014

Bird News

A quiet time of year but at the moment we still have 2 Little Gulls present along with at least 1 Common Tern viewable from UU hide. The Mere is still alive with the sounds of the Black headed Gull colony.A Marsh Harrier was on site again today, best look

12 June 2014

Bird News

A compilation of sightings for today and from over the weekend. Some interesting arrivals indicating post breeding dispersal with small flocks of Lapwing and Starling around the Mere. A couple Curlew and a few Teal also fit into this category. Many of the

9 June 2014

Grasshopper Warbler

Excellent news with the first confirmed breeding record of Grasshopper Warbler for the reserve. This species is regular on territory but not easy to find the nest with young. New in today 2 male breeding plumage Ruff. This is early for these birds to retu

6 June 2014

Yellow Wagtail

A pair of Yellow Wagtail were seen from the United Utilities Hide today. Woodend Marsh seems to be where most of the 'rare' action is with 2 Little Gull and Common Tern still present. Cuckoo again showing well from the Janet Kear Hide. Green Sandpiper in

5 June 2014

Bird News

Although the forecast was for showers they didn't materialise so any predictions for a Red-necked Phalarope will have to wait for Friday/Saturday! Two Raven were present around midday viewed from the Ron Barker Hide, the first for a few months. Two Little

4 June 2014

Hobby

Hobby this afternoon over Woodend Marsh. Drake Garganey from the Ron Barker Hide. Two Little Gull and Common Tern still on Woodend Marsh viewed from the UU Hide. Green Sandpiper in front of the Hale Hide. Plenty of Avocet, some with chicks. Many Common Sw

3 June 2014

Glossy Ibis still present

An early up date (11:55). Glossy Ibis still present from the Harrier Hide. Green Sandpiper on the Mere is new for the year. Drake Garganey in Langley's Brook viewed from the Ron Barker Hide. Picture by Andy Bunting

2 June 2014

Glossy Ibis

Surprise of the day goes to the arrival of a Glossy Ibis briefly on the Mere then relocated feeding in front of the Harrier Hide 14:30 at least. The range of Glossy Ibis in Europe is mostly around the Mediterranean. This will be the 8th record for Martin

1 June 2014

Cuckoo again

A very pleasant day and plenty of activity around the reserve although no new arrivals at least migrant wise that we know of. A Cuckoo showed well from the Janet Kear Hide early afternoon. It's not been heard to call and is probably the same bird seen ove

31 May 2014

Garganey and other birds

A compilation of sightings from the past few days. A drake Garganey seen today (and yesterday) on Woodend Marsh from the United Utlities Hide new for the year. Quite a few Avocet with chicks dotted around the reserve. A Pochard was present with 6 newly ha

29 May 2014

Latest sighting

Were ever you look there are signs of breeding birds. The first Shelduck chicks were seen today. The small Black-headed Gull colony on the Mere is littered with small brown recently hatched chicks. The Avocets on Woodend Marsh are also hatching young. The

22 May 2014