Latest Sightings
It's been a relatively quiet few days on the reserve, as the weather becomes more autumnal. The pink footed geese have continued to arrive, albeit in fewer number than previously, as well as a few small groups of duck species on the mere. They have been showing well from discovery hide, with 4 tufted ducks, 8 pintail, and 5 wigeon being spotted on Wednesday!
The ducks are also coming to the end of their eclipse, with mallards and gadwall having bright fresh plummage, and the large numbers of teal beginning to finish their moult (which can be seen particularly well on woodend marsh).
The marsh harriers have been showing well, with 3 spotted from Ron Barker hide, where the barn owl has also be seen.
Due to heavy rain the water levels have continued to be high on the reserve, meaning there has been a lull in wader activity, but the movement of the cattle to behind Tomlinson hide has seemingly coincided with the sightings of a whopping 12 cattle egrets, which can be seen both amongst the herd and on the islands in the mere.
North West Bird Watching Festival
Join us on the 14 & 15 October for the annual North West Bird Watching Festival. Celebrate the thousands of migratory wild birds that visit the centre over the autumn and winter period. With well-known guest speakers such as Ben Osborne, Lucy Lapwing, and David Goulson, plenty of exhibitors, and a weekend full of birding activities, this is an event not to be missed.
