Latest sightings
Temminck's Still
A good day on site with plenty of sightings of interest, the Temminck's Stint is still present and showing very well at times on the Mere, also still up to 4 Ruff including a full breeding male. Also on the Mere 2 Greenshank flew through just after 9am bu
25 May 2018
Honey Buzzard & Temminck's
News of a female Honey Buzzard with a satellite tracker recorded over the reed bed trail from 20.00-20.30 yesterday evening! No more information at the moment, and unfortunately no sightings today. A Temminck's Stint appeared on the Mere mid morning and
24 May 2018
Bird News
The warm and sunny weather has continued over the past couple of days, and although few new birds are arriving, there is a great variety to be seen on the reserve. The male Garganey has been present on Woodend Marsh again (viewed from the United Utilities
23 May 2018
LRP's
More great weather, if we aren't to careful we'll be complaining that it's 'too nice' to turn up any late migrants! It is however great for the breeding population with young. This Black-headed Gull pair are still thinking
21 May 2018
Cuckoos
A lovely day warm in the sun from early on and plenty of insect life for birds feeing young. Four Cuckoo seen on the Outer Reed Bed Walk the birds are calling inside the grounds too and can be seen from the Harrier Hide, Janet Kear Hide and United Utiliti
19 May 2018
Garganey
A male Garganey on Woodend Marsh yesterday before moving on to the Mere briefly was our first record for the year of this handsome duck. It was present again on Woodend Marsh today, where 40+ Avocets with at least 9 chicks as of this morning can also be
18 May 2018
Bittern booming
The Bittern is still present and was heard on Monday and Wednesday morning in the reed bed area best looked for from Harrier Hide, also in this area today a pair of Cuckoo's seen mating in the reed bed. Also another 2 different Cuckoo's one in the collect
16 May 2018
Red Kite
Bird of the day was a Red Kite seen distantly from Hale Hide, other raptor sightings today include a 2nd cal year Marsh Harrier, a female Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, several Common Buzzard and 4 Kestrel. A breeding plumaged Dunlin is still on the Mere with a
13 May 2018
Marsh Harrier
A highlight today was the welcome sightings of a Marsh Harrier, there haven't been any reports for 3-4 weeks. Other birds today included 2 Ringed Plover on the Mere along with the usual 4 Little Ringed Plover, also a breeding plumaged Dunlin here. A pair
12 May 2018
White Wagtail
A White Wagtail on the Mere yesterday morning was the first of the year, and the highlight of an otherwise fairly quiet few days. A single Ruff, at least 3 Little Ringed Plovers, a pair of Oystercatchers, Redshank and several Avocets are also on the Mere.
11 May 2018
Cuckoo
A female Cuckoo was seen in the reed bed walk area this morning, then it or another flew past the In Focus shop mid morning. The Common Terns look like they are settling down to breed again this year in the usual area of Woodend Marsh viewable from the U
8 May 2018
Bird News
Poor weather seems to have slowed down the Spring rush over the last few days with few "new" arriving. Still lots of birds to be seen however. On the Mere a pair of Little Ringed Plovers has taken up residence joining the Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits, an
27 April 2018
Migrants
More new migrants over the weekend included the first Swift in the morning flew north and first Hobby was seen late in the day on Sunday, also a ringtail (fem or imm) Hen Harrier was seen briefly before heading off northeast on Sunday. Also on the Mere
23 April 2018
Bird News
Few reports received from around the reserve today, although there are lots of birds about. A few Swallows and singing Blackcap around the In Focus shop, 2 Wheatears on Woodend Marsh and 3 Great Crested Grebes in front of the Harrier hide. On the Mere, a
17 April 2018
Little Gull
Just a brief update. See previous sightings for a fuller picture. A Little Gull flew through mid morning new for the year. We usually get non adult birds hanging around on the reserve into early summer. The first Whimbrel of the year was seen late on Satu
16 April 2018