Weekend Sightings
Plenty of action around the reserve. It should be possible to see over 60 species fairly easily in a days birding around the reserve. Over 80 species have been recorded since the 1st Jan.
Good for raptors with 8 Marsh Harrier seen together early on Saturday. At least one Peregrine hunting daily. Many Buzzard seen across the reserve including one very pale individual regularly around the Mere. Also present 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, Barn Owl and Tawny Owl.
A few thousand Pink-footed Geese coming in and out. Well worth scanning through as there is an influx of European White-fronted Geese and Tundra Bean Geese occurring on the east coast and both species have been seen locally in recent weeks.
The Swan Goose (pic by Thomas Seddon) is roving around with a flock of Greylag and can be out in fields near the reserve with mixed flocks of Pink-footed Geese and Greylag. It is possible that the same bird was seen at Leighton Moss RSPB in July (with Greylag) and then at Marshside in October with Pink-footed Geese.
Looking at records of this species on E-bird (see map) there appears to be some feral breeders in Germany but the closest potential wild bird record is over 3800 miles away. The main breeding area for this species is in Mongolia and they winter in SE China. In the UK, birds have recently been recorded in Suffolk, Essex and Reddish Vale (2) in Greater Manchester (via Birdtrack). Swan Goose has recently been removed from the Western Palaearctic List. See Link
On the wader front; 1000+ Lapwing, 50+ Ruff, 5+ Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper and some excellent views for Snipe (pic below) from the Gladstone Hide. Woodcock was seen in flight along the banking between Gladstone and Janet Kear Hides.
Other sightings include; Willow Tit regularly visiting the feeders at the Janet Kear hide. Two Raven, Grey Wagtail, small Linnet flock, Goldcrest, Kingfisher. Corn Bunting are wintering on Langley's Fields, access via the outer path route.
If you are visiting the reserve and would like to know the best spots or what's being seen on the day you visit, call in at the in focus shop next to the Discovery Hide.
