Latest Sightings
Whooper swans are slowly leaving us, with our weekly counts dropping each time. This week we had 114 whoopers roost with us, but the mere definitely feels quite empty during the day without them! Our count for pink-footed geese this week was similar to last week, with just over two thousand birds. Pintail numbers in particular have dropped off, as have shelducks and wigeon. However, signs of spring are continuing to increase.
Our first wheatear of the year was seen on the reserve on the 28th along with 14 sand martins that passed over the mere at dusk. Chiffchaffs are singing along many of the paths and a blackcap was singing by kingfisher hide this morning. A further 3 sand martins were seen this morning with 2 over the mere and 1 over Woodend marsh.
There is plenty of wader activity on the mere currently with 38 avocets counted on the mere on the 27th. Avocets are showing well on Woodend marsh and from Ron Barker hide as well. 63 Black-tailed godwits were also on the mere on the 27th along with around 30 oystercatchers. Up to 4 redshanks are on the reserve currently, they are quite mobile and can be seen on Woodend, the mere and on plover field.
Several pairs of shovelers can be seen on Woodend marsh and from Ron Barker and 4 tufted ducks were in front of harrier hide this morning. Smaller groups of teal are still on Woodend and similar with wigeon on the Mere.
Amongst the large numbers of black-headed gulls on the mere there is varying numbers of Mediterranean gulls, which can often be seen in pairs on the islands. 6 were seen on the 27th and 2 were showing well from Riens this morning.
