Otter notice
⚠️ Otter notice ⚠️
Please note that from Mon 2 Sept to Fri 6 Sept the otters will be off show whilst we complete works on their habitat. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
A good day on site with plenty of sightings of interest, the Temminck's Stint is still present and showing very well at times on the Mere, also still up to 4 Ruff including a full breeding male. Also on the Mere 2 Greenshank flew through just after 9am but didn't stop, also Common Sandpiper, 4 Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Lapwing and Avocet. A group of 35+ Black-tailed Godwit appeared mid afternoon and toured the site.
The Bittern was booming mid afternoon in the reed bed from Harrier Hide, one lucky observer then saw it in flight before it dropped back into the reed bed. Also from here more sightings of Cuckoo's with at least 2 birds in flight and a female giving the 'bubbling' call.
At least 10 Pochard on Woodend Marsh included a female with at least 3 very small chicks. Also plenty of young Avocet chicks, Black-headed Gull chicks and a few Lapwing chicks.
A Hobby was seen briefly over the Mere before disappearing over the trees by Discovery hide late afternoon. Other raptors included the usual Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
Plenty of Warblers around the site with singing Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Cetti's Warbler all heard today.