Latest sightings
Recent Sightings
Another excellent day with lots of new birds, mainly Pink-footed Geese, small flocks could be seen dropping in through out the morning, by late morning more than 600 had been counted. By the end of the day more than 800 had appeared. The eclipse male Ga
16 September 2016
Recent Sightings
The low murk around most of the day looked like it may produce something good but a surprise was 2 Red-breasted Merganser which flew south around 10am, very rare on site with only a few records over the years. The eclipse male Garganey was again among the
15 September 2016
Great White
Calm and warm with a light south easterly, rain later in the day. Two days in a row and another new species for the year list in the shape of the formerly rare Great White Egret. We didn't record one in 2015 and although birds are hanging around on the Ri
13 September 2016
Bar-tailed Godwit new for the year
A Bar-tailed Godwit found yesterday was still present today and is the first record of thiss coastal wader on the reserve this year. More wader action with the arrival of 3 Little Stint best viewed from the Ron Barker Hide. Other waders included 11 Dunlin
12 September 2016
First Pink-footed Geese arrival
Always a red letter day at the WWT with the first Pink-footed Geese of the autumn. Just five birds joining the the mixed feral Greylag and Canada Geese on the Mere this afternoon. Interesting to see if we get many more in the next day or two, although the
10 September 2016
Recent Sightings
The Green Woodpecker was seen again around the Canoe Safari area in the collection, it was heard calling -'yaffling' before it was seen flying towards Marsh Moss Lane area. Grey Wagtails are being heard/seen most days now on site, a sure sign of autumn! A
9 September 2016
Latest Sightings
Pink-footed Geese from October 2014 Starting off with a picture from 2014 just in case you are thinking there has been a mass arrival overnight! There was a report of a few birds out on the Ribble a week ago but they
7 September 2016
Latest Sighting
Variable weather over the past few days, none of which produce any rarities as such although a few passage Wheatear were recorded from the United Utilities Hide over the weekend. Quite a few wagtails on the move today. The influx of Common Snipe continues
5 September 2016
Recent Sightings
Thursday was a good day for raptors with 6 species being seen, including at least 16 Common Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, juv Merlin, 3 Sparrowhawk and Peregrine. Good numbers of Snipe are still around the reserve with up to 70+ birds still present
2 September 2016
Black Tern new for the year.
Weather wise the morning started off with low cloud and misty rain, classic conditions for dropping something onto the reserve. Having missed the sizable spring influx of Black Tern it was nice that one called in on the return autumn visit. There were qui
31 August 2016
Latest Sightings
Overcast early on with light winds and no rain. Just a brief update. Waders include 400+ Lapwing, 10+ Black-tailed Godwit, Wood Sandpiper, 20+ Ruff including one carrying what looks a crossbow bolt right through it's body, presumably shot on the breeding
30 August 2016
Recent sightings
A few new waders have been passing through over the last couple of days, one of the Wood Sandpipers remains albeit distantly from Ron Barker Hide, also at least 40 Ruff, 2 juv Little Ringed Plover, 70-80 Snipe around the reserve, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Gre
28 August 2016
Sightings
Two Wood Sandpipers (adult + juv) were found this evening on Sunleys from Ron Barker Hide, they were calling frequently. Also Green Sandpiper from Harrier Hide and Common Sandpiper from Ron Barker, also the 1st summer Golden Plover was present along with
26 August 2016
Bird sightings
A gloomy calm day on site with a little light rain, classic autumn conditions for bringing in new birds. There was a noticeable influx of Snipe with up to 40 birds being seen, also at least 31 Ruff, 2 Dunlin, Common and Green Sandpiper and a nice adult Go
25 August 2016
It looking like it's going to get Otter!
Yes we aren't talking about the weather. Today two wild Otter were seen hunting from the Harrier Hide early afternoon. They caught a fish before swimming out of sight. This is the first time this species has been seen on the reserve, although 15+ years ag
22 August 2016