Latest sightings
Little Gull
A good day for Gulls on the Mere with 7 species being present, the best of which were an Adult or 3rd Summer Little Gull and upto 3 Mediterranean Gulls (pair of adults & 1st summer). The Little Gull has been displaying to Black headed Gulls and pickin
20 April 2014
Little Gull again
The Little Gull is still present and at times calling vociferously and displaying around the Mere. Two Common Sandpiper around the Mere all day and at least 1 Little ringed Plover. Lots of Avocets, Oystercatcher, Lapwing and Redshank around the reserve al
19 April 2014
More Birds
Another good wader day with 115 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 110+ Lapwing, 28 Avocet, 21 Ruff inc breeding plumage male, 23 Oystercatcher, 13 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plover and yesterday a report of Common Sandpiper which was new for t
16 April 2014
Whimbrel new for the year.
Top spring day weather wise loads of butterflies on the wing, plenty of breeding birds in song around the reserve too. First Whimbrel of the year with c.70 Curlew from the Ron Barker Hide this morning. Other waders included Little Ringed Plover, 22 Ruff i
15 April 2014
Grasshopper Warbler
More arrivals with Grasshopper Warbler reeling along the Reedbed Walk, Sedge and Reed Warbler also singing there. Waders have included 75 Curlew, 4 Dunlin, 20 Black-tailed Godwit and 40 Avocet. Breeding plumage Ruff on Woodend Marsh. Seven Whooper Swan fl
14 April 2014
Reed Warbler
A Reed Warbler reported from the Reed Bed Walk is the first of the year. At least 60 Curlew dropped in on Vinson's viewed from the Ron Barker Hide. Also present 10+ Ruff inc breeding plumage male, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, a few Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, C.4
13 April 2014
White Wags
A few White Wagtails dropped in this morning on the Mere. Willow Warbler singing near the Kingfisher Hide, still plenty of Blackcap and Chiffchaff around. Sand Martin and Swallow moving through and just down the road, returning House Martin. Nice to see s
12 April 2014
Adult Male Marsh Harrier
More obvious movement today with the arrival of a cracking adult male Marsh Harrier. Will it hang around? Will the Lapwing drive it away? Watch this space. Not report packed today however at least 2 Swallow and 10+ Sand Martin passing through. Waders incl
6 April 2014
Willow Warbler
Late news for yesterday a Willow Warbler was apparently present near the Kingfisher Hide late afternoon. First record of the year. Spring action was otherwise reflected in singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap today, as well as displaying Lapwing, Redshank, Rin
5 April 2014
Swallow and Sedge Warbler
Two new summering species arrived today with 10 Swallow seen and a singing Sedge Warbler on Woodend Marsh. Twenty four Sand Martin logged today. The Sedge Warbler maybe Lancashire's first this year. Again a broad selection of species to be found around th
2 April 2014
Yellowhammer
New addition to the year list with singing Yellowhammer along the edge of the reserve on the recently purchased (last year) land by the railway line. Another was also singing just off the reserve near the derelict farm opposite the entrance. Corn Bunting
1 April 2014
Bird News
A broad selection of residents, winter visitors and a few summering birds around the reserve at present with over 60 species present today. Still small flocks of Fieldfare in the locality and small numbers of Whooper Swan on the reserve and local fields.
31 March 2014
Bittern
Bird of the day goes to a Bittern flushed near the Reed Bed Walk which flew onto Woodend Marsh. Is this the same bird which was present in January or is it a bird which has wintered somewhere else and has just dropped in on it's journey home (to europe)?
30 March 2014
LRP and Wheatear
At last some genuine summer migrants! A cracking male Wheatear was out on fence post from the UU hide this morning and a Little Ringed Plover dropped in on the Mere around midday, only to be hassled by resident Ringed Plover. A real cross over of species
29 March 2014
Siberian Chiffchaff still present.
Siberian Chiffchaff still present opposite the sewage works this afternoon. At least 5 Common Chiffchaff around the reserve. Two breeding plumage Med Gulls on the Mere this morning. At least 8 species of wader present including some stunning breeding plum
26 March 2014