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.

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Latest sightings

Garganey (about time..)

Garganey (about time..)

Garganey in eclipsed plumage showing well on the Mere 15:30 at least. It, or perhaps another, was seen earlier on from the Ron Barker Hide. The Teal numbers have risen considerably in the past week to over 1000 so this sighting was not unexpected. Twelve

2 September 2012

Northern Wheatear

Northern Wheatear

More signs of autumn passage with a male Northern Wheatear from the Ron Barker Hide this morning. Common Swift moving south. Raptors providing most of the entertainment with 2+ Marsh Harrier, 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Wader

1 September 2012

Arriving Pinkfeet

Arriving Pinkfeet

The first returning Pink footed Geese arrived this morning with a group of 11 just before midday, and a further flock of 6 by 12.45, so the count by the end of the day could well be higher with a good northerly wind aiding the birds arrival. Other sightin

30 August 2012

Bird News

Bird News

An early heavy rain front moved through to produce some excellent viewing condition. A squally rain front with thunder and lighting came through early afternoon followed by sunshine. Highest count of Common Snipe of the autumn with 140+, Ruff are up to 29

29 August 2012

Good Weather for Ducks...

Good Weather for Ducks...

Pretty much solid rain for the first half of the day, certainly the massed ranks of eclipsed plumaged Mallard and Teal seemed happy enough. A small flock of Shoveler dropped in and a single Tufted Duck appeared out of the gloom. Female Red-crested Pochard

27 August 2012

Raptor Day

Raptor Day

First Merlin of the autumn, a juvenile, showed well perched on a five bar gate. Four Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzard, adult and juvenile Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Lots of Common Snipe activity in the rain this morning with at least 60 birds

26 August 2012

Raptors hunting and Waders

Raptors hunting and Waders

Plenty of activity today with waders to the fore. Previous days numbers in brackets().  At least 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 19 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper(2), Greenshank(4), 20+ Common Snipe, 300+ Lapwing. Wood Sandpiper (1). Raptors have incl

25 August 2012

Birds on the move

Birds on the move

A fresher day than of late with a brisk West-South-Westerly blowing. A notable influx of hirundines with 200 Swallow, 30+ House Martin feeding low over the reserve. A couple of Common Swift appeared to be moving North, but undoubtedly just moving to feed

22 August 2012

A few birds and a bit of mothing.

A few birds and a bit of mothing.

We had time to run the moth trap last night and caught 49 species including the migrant Dark Sword-grass. A few more Black-tailed Godwit with 25 birds on the Mere including a few juveniles. Also 8 Ruff with one juvenile present, 20+ Common Snipe, 300+ Lap

21 August 2012

Harriers and Waders

Harriers and Waders

Getting use to the recent onset of summer even with autumn just round the corner. Plenty of activity with at least 4 Marsh Harrier hunting around the reserve and keeping 300+ Lapwing on their toes. At least 4 Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and a couple of Ke

20 August 2012

We are back!

We are back!

Apologies if you've been missing our regular wildlife updates. We should now be pretty much back to normal, and if you've not been visiting the reserve in the past few days you've been missing a treat. Kingfishers, at least 4 different birds have been unm

15 August 2012

Latest sightings

Latest sightings

Great start to the day with an influx of waders. Three Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank joined 50+ Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Ruff, 2 Curlew and 200+ Lapwing all from the Ron Barker Hide. Three Green Sandpiper mostly from the Hale Hide. A female Mandarin fl

10 August 2012

Latest sightings

Latest sightings

Great start to the day with an influx of waders. Three Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank joined 50+ Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Ruff, 2 Curlew and 200+ Lapwing all from the Ron Barker Hide. Three Green Sa [...]

10 August 2012

Latest sightings

Latest sightings

More glorious summer weather and plenty of action around the reserve. The butterfly bed by the Ron Barker Hide has had the first Small Copper(s) of the year as well as Gatekeeper, Common Blue, Brimstone, Comma, Small Tortiseshell, Peacock, and Green-veine

9 August 2012

Latest sightings

Latest sightings

More glorious summer weather and plenty of action around the reserve. The butterfly bed by the Ron Barker Hide has had the first Small Copper(s) of the year as well as Gatekeeper, Common Blue, Brimsto [...]

9 August 2012