Latest sightings
Barn Owl
A Barn Owl was hunting until well after 11 am today, on view from both the Harrier and United Utilities hides. A male Wheatear was also seen from the latter hide, and a possible Wood Sandpiper was rep [...]
20 June 2012
Late Migrants?
Unexpected birds always perk things up a bit and a male Common Redstart near the Janet Kear Hide certainly would have been great to see if it had hung around. It was new for the year and it is a less [...]
19 June 2012
Breeding Marsh Harriers
A first for the reserve in the form of breeding Marsh Harrier, a pair have nested this year and currently have 2 chicks and one egg. The birds are best viewed from either Ron Barker or United Ut [...]
16 June 2012
Bird News
Late news from Tuesday night to start today's round-up, when 2 Spotted Crakes were heard calling from the reedbed walk. Today, 2 Green Sandpipers, Peregrine, Barn Owl, and a Common Kingfisher [...]
15 June 2012
Bird News
A distant Red Kite was probably the highlight of the day. 3 Marsh Harriers were seen frequently from most of the hides around the reserve, and a Green Sandpiper spent all day on and around the Mere. [...]
14 June 2012
Bee Orchid
Three new Avocet chicks were out today. Poor weather and Peregrine predation are serious risk factors for these birds. The Peregrine was in action this morning but looking for bigger prey. Six Common [...]
12 June 2012
Barn Owls
We have two pairs of Barn Owl nesting on the reserve at the moment and the picture below is of one pair pretty much full grown young taken just after they had been ringed by our species monitor Kane B [...]
11 June 2012
Sunday sunshine.
It turned out grand today, very pleasant in the sunshine, although on a slightly kiljoy note it's not always ideal for viewing.. A Green Sandpiper in fine summer plumage was perhaps new [...]
10 June 2012
Some Sightings
Barn Owl hunting this morning 10am. A difficult few days for this species which would prefer hunting in calm and dry conditions. Three Marsh Harrier seen today, Peregrine, 2+ Common Buzzard and Sparro [...]
9 June 2012
Raptors
A good raptor day despite the wild(ish) weather. An adult Peregrine took sometime plucking and devouring a Moorhen at the back of the Mere this afternoon. Three Marsh Harrier jigging in the wind throu [...]
8 June 2012
Grasshopper Warbler
Easterlies and rain are always interesting from a birding point of view, and although it's now getting late for some migrants we are still on the look out for Red-necked Phalarope which will still [...]
7 June 2012
Swifts
A pleasant day, better than forecasted. Quite a build up of Common Swift feeding over the reserve 100+ birds, a classic sight in summer. Plenty of evidence of breeding with many Shelduck and Mallard c [...]
6 June 2012
Knot
A Knot seen from United Utilities Hide was a new bird in today, also a flock of 9 Ringed Plover were new birds. A Ruff was again from UU hide but no reports of the drake Garganey today. Other sighting [...]
2 June 2012
Garganey and Sanderling
All change weather wise with seemingly none stop rain most of the day so far, the few birders who did venture out saw the drake Garganey which can be seen from Harrier hide or from United Utilities, d [...]
31 May 2012
Garganey and Quail
Last night the Quail was again singing in the Ashtons area of the reserve near the tin shed, but it hasn't been heard so far this morning. Other birds last night seen from the public footpath incl [...]
30 May 2012