Gull-billed Tern a first for the reserve
Exciting start to the day when an adult Gull-billed Tern flew in during a rain shower onto the Mere. Never before recorded on the reserve this species does occur annually in the UK in small numbers but breeds in Southern / South-Eastern Mediterranean. A few people made it in to see the bird before it drifted off around 11am. We have now recorded 7 species of tern on the reserve; Common, Arctic, Little, Sandwich, Black, White-winged and Gull-billed. The previous Lancashire records were Blackpool 1832 (shot), St Annes 1955 and Seaforth 1995.
This is quite possibly the same bird seen at Troon on the 14th July.
The influx of birders didn't turn up any other rarities. Wader counts included 370 Black-tailed Godwit, 200+ Lapwing, 13 Ruff, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin and Snipe.
Raptors included Marsh Harrier, 5 Kestrel, 2+ Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk.
Two Little Egret and 6 Grey Heron.
See previous days sightings for a fuller picture of what can be seen on the reserve.
