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
Latest Sightings
A few butterflies on the wing with Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White, Large Skipper and Peacock with probably a few others not reported. Whimbrel this morning, probably a new bird in. The usual G
20 July 2013
Bird News
More post breeding birds in evidence around the reserve. At least 3 Chiffchaff in a mixed tit flock containing Long-tailed, Coal, Great and Blue Tits along the nature trail. A few more Common Snipe being seen. It's quite likely as some area start to dry u
17 July 2013
Latest Sightings
The first Emerald Damselfly (Common Spreadwing) seen today. Four Common Tern feeding over Woodend Marsh early morning. Today's waders included 2 Green Sandpiper, 6 Ruff, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Avocet and 60+ Lapwing. Raptors included 2+ Common Buzzard,
15 July 2013
Whimbrel
A single Whimbrel seen from the Raines Hide was new in. Generally waders turning up at this time of year will be failed breeders making a leisurely journey south or local post breeding birds ie Lapwing. At least 2 Green Sandpiper seen from the Swan Link a
14 July 2013
Waders
Another very pleasant on the reserve, especially with cooler breeze coming through the hide windows again. If you've never been before, the Reed Bed Walk is good for dragon and damselflies as well as a few butterflies on the wing. It's still the waders ma
13 July 2013
Merlin
The first Merlin of the autumn was seen today a fem/imm bird from Ron Barker along with Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and sev Common Buzzard. Two Avocet still from Ron Barker along with a Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff and 1 Black tailed Godwit. Still at least 2-3 Green Sa
11 July 2013
More of Summer
Another glorious day, very pleasant as the cool breeze comes through the hide windows. Not a huge number of reports today but notable species have included 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Tern all on the Mere. A male Kingfisher put in a
9 July 2013
Greenshank
More signs of wader migration today with a Greenshank putting in a brief appearance from Ron Barker hide this morning and also a massive increase in Black tailed Godwits with 160 present today. At least 1 Green Sandpiper still in front of Hale hide today
8 July 2013
Peregrine
The local Peregrines have changed their diet, on the menu today were Black headed Gull chicks instead of the usual Avocet chicks, a Peregrine was seen to take a chick from Ron Barker hide. Also the female Marsh Harrier was seen today along with the usual
7 July 2013
Med Gulls
A pair of Adult Mediterranean Gulls spent a while on the reserve today, and with the BHG colony getting bigger year on year it can't be long before we have Med Gulls breeding on site.Other sightings today in clude the usual 2 Green Sandpiper from Hale Hid
6 July 2013
Green Sandpipers
At least 2 Green Sandpipers are still on site and showing well in front of Hale hide normally. There are still 8 Avocet on site including 2 chicks, also 2 Redshank and 8 Black tailed Godwit. A Marsh Harrier was also seen today. Nearby a report of a Quail
5 July 2013
Brief update
A brief update with 38 Black-tailed Godwit, 14+ Avocet, 50+ Lapwing, 4+ Oystercatcher and 6 Redshank. Female Marsh Harrier again with the usual Common Buzzards and Kestrels. Another day of Hirundines with House Martins, Swallows and a few Sand Martin feed
3 July 2013
Greenshank over.
More waders moving with Greenshank and a few Curlew flying over the reserve. Still 2 Green Sandpipers mostly in front of Raines Hide. Plenty of Lapwing, Avocet, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and a few Oystercatcher seen today. Excellent views of House Mar
2 July 2013
Some waders
Pleasant in the sun with a fresh westerly. One or two waders apparent around the reserve, although as the lush undergrowth spreads out they are not always easy to find. Two Green Sandpiper again, one in front of the Raines Hide early on, generally best fr
1 July 2013
The weekend
A compilation of the weekend's sightings. Common Sandpiper, new in, from the Harrier Hide. At least one Green Sandpiper from the Hale. Other waders included 31 Avocet with 2 chicks, 50+ Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher, 6+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover, Ru
30 June 2013