Latest sightings

Bittern

Bird of the day has to go to the Bittern flushed while strimming back some of the reedbed in front of Harrier Hide late morning, it flew and dropped back into the quite extensive reedbed here, hopefully with some of the reeds being strimmed there may be s

7 January 2014

''Yellow legged Gull''

A 'Yellow legged Gull' that has been around on and off for a few years was seen again today, although at times it looks very like a michahellis Yellow legged Gull there a number of features that aren't quite right, the upperpart grey is a little too dark

6 January 2014

Into the new year.

A good start to the day in calm conditions. A Barn Owl was hunting this morning, viewable from the Ron Barker Hide. At least 4 Common Buzzard, Peregrine and Marsh Harrier. Over 1000 Whooper Swan and 1000+ Pink-footed Geese roosting. We can expect more Pin

4 January 2014

Harriers

Both the male Hen Harrier and the Marsh Harrier were seen again today along with at least 1 adult Peregrine and 5 Common Buzzard, also at least 1 Raven was seen. A Grey wagtail and Pied Wagtail were seen and heard around the Mere, also good numbers of Tre

31 December 2013

Hen Harrier again

The male Hen Harrier was seen again this afternoon, it showed well from the appropriately named Harrier Hide, also at least 1 Marsh Harrier in the area and 2 adult Peregrine. At least 80 Ruff and 1500 Lapwing on the reserve and upto 2000 Pink footed Geese

30 December 2013

Hen Harrier

Some news from recent days as well as todays sightings: 25th: A group of 4 Bewick's Swans were seen by staff before departing, these are the first sightings of Bewick's this winter, hopefully they will be seen again soon. 26th: Barn Owl and Tawny Owl were

28 December 2013

Merry Xmas!

Merry Xmas to all our readers and a bird filled New Year!! A single Barnacle Goose was with c300 Pink footed Geese using the reserve today. The usual immature male Marsh Harrier was seen again but only the adult male Peregrine and upto 4 Common Buzzard. T

24 December 2013

Ravens

The pair of Ravens are still to be seen on site, also our resident family of Peregrines (2ad,1juv) were in action today killing a Stock Dove. At least 1 Marsh Harrier (imm male) was seen along with a few Common Buzzard. The male Stonechat is still from R

21 December 2013

Goldeneye

All 3 Peregrines (2 ad & juv male) performed well today, with all 3 spending most of the morning sat on fenceposts at the back of the Mere. At least 1 Marsh Harrier was seen along with the usual Common Buzzards and Sparrowhawk. The 1000+ Whooper Swans

17 December 2013

Stonechats

A pair of Stonechats can be seen from Ron Barker hide at the moment, often fairly close around the pool to right of hide, also a Barn Owl was out hunting around the pump house field early afternoon. Good numbers of Cormorants around the Mere with at least

16 December 2013

Med Gull and other birds.

Another bird packed day on and just off the reserve. Over 1000 Whooper Swan present with another 13+ species of wildfowl around the reserve. Over 1000 Lapwing present, 60+ Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit. An adult winter plumage Med Gull was on the Mere with

15 December 2013

Whooper Swans

A wild and windy day with few reports, a female Stonechat was seen distantly out in the fields. The usual 3 Peregrine were about but seen mostly in flight today along with 2-3 Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. c1000 Whooper Swan including a rare yellow le

14 December 2013

Barn Owl

A misty start to the day followed by the sun breaking through with a chilly SE wind blowing. Good numbers (1000+) of Whooper Swan on the reserve throughout the day, with many feeding on the waste potatoes on Top Mere. No recent counts to mention but Wigeo

11 December 2013

Raptors

Upto 2 Marsh Harriers were on the reserve today along with the family of Peregrines (2 adults 1 juv male) showing well along with Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard. The Little Egret is still around and briefly visited the Mere late afternoon. A male Stonec

9 December 2013

Little Egret again

The Little Egret was still present, seen in flight over the Mere. Only the juvenile male Peregrine was seen today along with Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Kestrel. A few thousand Pink footed Geese dropped onto the mere at dusk to roost and there are still c120

8 December 2013