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.
Latest sightings
Record Whinchat count.
A record count of 5 Whinchat yesterday evening. Some passerine movement today with pied/white wagtails around the reserve, Grey Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail. Good for raptors with 4+ Common Buzzard and at least 2 Marsh Harrier. Twenty eight Ruff, 400+ Lapwi
3 September 2013
Kingfisher and other birds.
Kingfisher showing again from the Ron Barker Hide. Also good views of Marsh Harrier from there and elsewhere around the reserve with at least 3 birds present. Other raptors included 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and 4 Common Buzzard. Again a few new waders in wi
2 September 2013
More arrivals
A distinct chill in the air and more arrivals today with a few eclipsed Pintail, always a pleasure to see. More Teal and Shoveler too. The Garganey was still present viewable from the Ron Barker Hide. Fourteen Golden Plover near Langley's Brook, 200+ Lapw
1 September 2013
News from 31st August - 12 Pink-footed Geese
Yes, can we call it autumn now? Twelve Pink-footed Geese arrived on the reserve on friday and were still present today. More Teal and Wigeon present too. The Garganey (imm/female) is still present from the Ron Barker Hide. A good selection of waders with
1 September 2013
More birds
More arrivals and action around the reserve today. An influx of Ruff with 40+ birds, 50+ Common Snipe, Wood Sandpiper still from the Ron Barker Hide on Sunley's Marsh, At least one Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin and 300+ Lapwing. A female Mar
28 August 2013
First Pink-feet?
Four Pink-feet from the Ron Barker Hide may well be the first of the autumn. Generally the first few Pinks are reported in the local vicinity in the last week of August before the obvious influx occurs mid September, weather depending. New waders around w
27 August 2013
Wood Sandpiper again.
Wood Sandpiper mid afternoon back of Sunley's Marsh. Two Dunlin new in, Golden Plover with 300+ Lapwing, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 10+ Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Curlew and 30+ Common Snipe. Three Marsh Harrier, 3+ Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrow
26 August 2013
Harriers
At least 3 Marsh Harrier again today, showing throughout the day. Other raptors included 4+ Common Buzzard, Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Wood Sandpiper showed well on the Mere this morning, also 24 Ruff, 30+ Common Snipe, 2 Little Ringed Plover,
25 August 2013
Waders on the move.
A few more birds arriving today with 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 17 Ruff, 30+ Common Snipe, 2 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit and 300+ Lapwing. Three Marsh Harrier, one juvenile attempted to grab an adult Brown Hare only to
24 August 2013
Wood Sandpiper again
Wood Sandpiper morning and afternoon on the Mere. Also present Green Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 20+ Common Snipe and 200+ Lapwing. Usual raptors with 2 Marsh Harrier, 3+ Common Buzzard and 2 Kestrel.
21 August 2013
Sighting compilation
It generally pays to be further up rather than down to food chain as one or two species have discovered. Marsh Harriers (3+) have been recorded catching Moorhen and Mallard, and an adult Greater Black-backed Gull caught and killed a juvenile Shelduck toda
20 August 2013
We're back!
Apologies, computer gremlins left us unable to update the sightings page over the past few days. I'll do an up to date report at the end of today.
20 August 2013
Swifts on the move.
Still some Common Swift on the move south through the reserve with at least 30 birds moving in front of rain showers. The overcast conditions were also good for viewing Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow. In between the rain imm Marsh Harrier, 4 Common
17 August 2013
Bird News
Another day without a majorly rare wader turning up on the reserve... Nonetheless some good viewing is to be had for those with patience. Raptors are still the stars of the show with at least 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. W
15 August 2013
Marsh Harriers
Some excellent views of Marsh Harrier throughout the day. At least 4 different birds of late. The juveniles present could have come from any spot in the UK and we have had tag evidence of Scottish birds arriving on the reserve in the last 20 years. The ea
14 August 2013