Latest sightings
Recent Sightings
With the cold frosty weather over the last few days have seen some fabulous sights with some stunning light, and great sunsets! New birds have appeared as well, a noticeable influx of Black-tailed Godwit, with around 300 birds present over the last few da
30 December 2014
Bewick's Swan
Best bird of the day was a single Bewick's Swan picked out on the mud with the Whoopers at 3.15pm, a different bird from last years single on the pattern of it's bill, last years bird being a more rounded yellow patch, whereas todays bird has an irregular
27 December 2014
Merry Xmas !!
A much better day weather wise, although quite cold with the strong wind, the light was stunning at times. Lots of Whooper Swans around the Mere today, with at least 800, the juvenile male Peregrine caught a Lapwing this afternoon and then had to fend off
24 December 2014
Recent sightings
A few more raptors being seen of late than in recent weeks, best of the bunch was a ringtail Hen Harrier (female or immature) which was seen just to the north of the reserve today, which could well have been the satellite tracked bird that was recorded ju
22 December 2014
Latest Sightings
A brief update with this mornings roost counts producing 1220+ Whooper Swan and 5120+ Pink-footed Geese. Raptors included 6+ Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 2+ Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel and probable (but unseen) Peregrine if the Lapwing flocks are to be belie
17 December 2014
Short-eared Owl Again
Bright and clear early on with some passing showers later, feeling cold. Short-eared Owl again mid afternoon from the Ron Barker Hide. Hopefully the bird will hang around this winter. At least 6 Common Buzzard on the reserve, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine,
15 December 2014
Short-eared Owl
Mostly raining today but the Mere did look nice after a frosty start yesterday. We are running out of time to add new species to the year list but a late afternoon Short-eared Owl is new for the year bringing the year list onto 146, which is approximatel
14 December 2014
Little Owl new for the year.
Some weather today making viewing difficult but also bringing in the possibility of some new arrivals from the coast. Unexpectedly a Little Owl was seen this morning in the entrance of a nest box in the Doehyles cattle barn. If the visibility is reasonabl
10 December 2014
Hen Harrier
Late news from the weekend of a Hen Harrier that no one saw, literally! The bird was a satellite tagged bird (no information on age, sex or exact date yet) from Trough of Bowland which clearly eluded observers on site over the weekend, or did it? If anyon
8 December 2014
Lastest Sightings
A couple of frosty starts recently and a wintery shower today and you know it's time to dig out those thermals if you intend to spend anytime out in the hides. Good Whooper Swan numbers, always a spectacular sight, over 1000 birds present. Small numbers o
5 December 2014
Local Bewick's Swan
We received today the first sighting of the autumn of a single Bewick's Swan at Hundred End, on the Ribble with Whoopers. Interesting to see how many will turn up this winter and if any will visit the reserve? A chilly but clear day and another forecasted
2 December 2014
Peregrines
2 Peregrines were seen several times around the reserve today, normally very obvious this time of year they have been scarce this autumn and not seen as often as normal. The usual Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were all seen today. Large numbers
30 November 2014
Recent sightings
A round up of sightings in recent days include a probable Jack Snipe flushed from the edge of Langleys brook viewed from Ron Barker Hide, also 15+ Common Snipe around the reserve. At least 6 Black tailed Godwit in recent days and a single Dunlin today and
29 November 2014
Ringing
Some ringing occurred over the birdfair weekend with totals caught; 25 Blue Tit, 14 Great Tit, 3 Coal Tit, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 7 Tree Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, 24 Greenfinch, 11 Goldfinch a
25 November 2014
Goosander
The highlight of the day was a fem/imm Goosander briefly late morning on the Mere before flying off towards Harrier Hide, this is the first record of this species this year. Other sightings included at least 1 Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and sever
24 November 2014