The winters first Bewick's Swan and Waxwings
Two or three Waxwing were seen around 13:20 between the Gladstone and Janet Kear Hides. It's a good year for Waxwing with many thousands now in the UK. More Waxwing were seen near the reserve between Red Cat Lane and Laurel Avenue in Burscough.
Of course most of the reports on here are a compilation of other peoples sightings and although I 'dipped' the Waxwings it was nice to find the winters first Bewick's Swans, a pair, on the Mere mid afternoon.
Late afternoon and confirmation of another new species for the reserve's year list in the shape of Rook. Perhaps under recorded, certainly present locally this species brings our year list onto a record breaking 170 for the year.
Another '7 species of raptor' day with male Hen Harrier, Merlin, 2 Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
European White-fronted Goose with Pink's along the back of the Mere mid morning.
No shortage of Whooper Swan this morning with 1000+ present at the 10:30 swan feed.
Brambling from the Janet Kear Hide.
