Latest sightings
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
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...
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
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
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
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.
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
Cuckoo and other birds
This juvenile Cuckoo (with caterpillar) has been hanging around for the past few days, generally seen perched on posts. Waders so far included Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 9 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 65 Black-tailed Godwit and 10+ Common Snipe. Two K
30 July 2012
Cuckoo and other birds.
This juvenile Cuckoo (with caterpillar) has been hanging around for the past few days, generally seen perched on posts. Waders so far included Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 9 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed [...]
30 July 2012