Latest sightings
Waders dropping in.
A good start to the day with a cracking adult male Hen Harrier which flew onto the reserve at 9.30am and off again around 10am. Although the reserve opens at 9.30, the Reed Bed Walk can be accessed at anytime and the viewing platforms give excellent views
9 March 2013
Redshank arrives.
More signs of spring as a single Redshank turned up on the Mere this morning. Redshank breed on the reserve and as more birds come in it's a great chance to brush up on your wader id skills while good numbers of Ruff (c80 today) are still present. Other w
8 March 2013
Bewick's Swan again.
A Bewick's Swan was seen again on the Mere with Whooper Swans around midday. A breeding plumage Med Gull was again on the Mere with Black-headed Gulls. Now 51 Avocet mostly around the Mere but also from the Ron Barker Hide. Other waders included Dunlin, C
7 March 2013
Roosting Tawny Owl
It's that time of year, just before the trees start sprouting, that Tawny Owls can occasionally be found roosting around the reserve. Today two birds have been seen, one still viewable between the Gladstone and Janet Kear Hides inside the grounds viewable
6 March 2013
Bullfinch
First Bullfinch (male) of the year, a rarity here, seen midday near the Kingfisher Hide. A dawn count of Whooper Swan was down to 1090. Avocet numbers increased to 44. Also present 60 Oystercatcher, 70+ Ruff, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover and ~30
5 March 2013
Arrivals
The southerly component to the airflow paid dividends with the arrival of more Avocet, now 34 birds. Four pairs were seen mating, spring is definitely on it's way! Further mating activity today with our regular pair of Peregrines copulating on the fence p
4 March 2013
A late Bewick's Swan
Surprise bird of the day was a single Bewick's Swan mid afternoon on the Mere with ~ 500 Whooper Swan. It's been the quietest winter on record for this Siberian species with only two other sightings on the reserve in 2013. The adult breeding plumage Medit
3 March 2013
Med Gull and other birds
A frosty sunny start to the day, clouding over later making viewing in the afternoon ideal. An adult breeding plumage Med Gull came in with Black-headed Gull just before 4pm. Recently there has been over 3000 Black-headed Gulls coming into roost so there
2 March 2013
Bird News
Another calm day, cloudy but with great visibility. Still good numbers of Whooper Swan, 1000+ although you've only got a few more weeks before the majority will be on there way back to Iceland. Still 14 Avocet however the weather looks good for the start
1 March 2013
Bird News
Another lovely day to be birding with the only down side being a reduction in visibility resulting from the 'heat haze'. No reports of the Dark-bellied Brent today although the Pink-footed Geese flocks have been absent for most of the day so the bird may
28 February 2013
Dark-bellied Brent again.
Dark-bellied Brent flew in around 2.45pm with Pink-footed Geese viewable on Woodend Marsh from the United Utilities Hide. A glorious spring-like day. The first reported Curlew of the year came in today with 5 birds from the Ron Barker Hide. Still 20 Avoce
27 February 2013
Dark-bellied Brent
A Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew in around 12:10 and was still present at 3pm at least viewed from the Harrier Hide with Canada Geese. It has been at least 5 years since the last record of this coastal species on the reserve. Avocet numbers still at 20 and
25 February 2013
Siskins on the move
A good count of ~ 20 Siskin on Alder by the Janet Kear Hide. It's a good time of year to catch up with these smart small finches as they move from wintering to breeding grounds. Many of the birds we see will have come from continental europe. Brambling st
24 February 2013
Barn Owl
A Barn Owl was out hunting again late afternoon from Ron Barker Hide, the 3 Peregrines were on view most of the day but no sign of the Hen Harrier or Merlin, but the usual Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were all seen. 2 Raven were on view during
23 February 2013
Hen Harrier
A male Hen Harrier was again reported from Ron Barker Hide along with a Merlin. Good numbers of waders at the moment included a count of 103 Ruff, 4 Black tailed Godwit, 35 Oystercatcher and 22 Avocet. There are also several Ringed Plover around the site
22 February 2013