Latest Sightings
Great start to February. Always an interesting month which can produce interesting geese, cold weather movements and the first signs of spring.
Starting off with some wader sightings with 3 Golden Plover seen and heard flying over the reserve this morning, the first of the year as far as we know. There can be good numbers on the Ribble Estuary but it's likely these birds have been moved from elsewhere by the recent cold weather/snow.
Two Woodcock today one flushed on the Reed Bed Walk and another seen between the Gladstone Hide and the Janet Kear Hide. Also present 500+ Lapwing, 60+ Ruff, 10 Black-tailed Godwit and few sightings of Common Snipe.
The Mere, partly frozen this morning was again packed with wildfowl including 2 male Goldeneye. Some small flocks of Pink-footed Geese dropped in around midday.
A Red Kite spent sometime on the North West edge of the reserve, new for the year but becoming a more common sighting. Also seen today, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 2+ Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
Three Tawny Owl again and generally later on at least 3 Barn Owl.
Two Brambling and male and female from the Janet Kear Kide. Also there 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker in a territorial dispute.
It should be possible to see over 60 species in a day's birding around the reserve. If you'd like to know the best spots, are interested in seeing particular species or would like to report a sighting, please call in at the in focus shop next to the Discovery Hide.
