Latest sightings
When to expect peak numbers of pink footed geese
The graph shows the numbers of Pink footed geese during weekly dawn counts in 2012. As you can see the peak numbers of geese arrive from mid October to mid November and then decrease as the geese move south. Lancashire is phenomenal for “Pink's” and M
18 September 2013
Geese on the move
A windy and wet start followed by much calmer and settled conditions. More Pink-footed Geese today with 500+ birds. The weather is looking good for bringing further influxes tomorrow. A few reports included Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Avocet,
17 September 2013
More Birds
Another good selection around the reserve even if the conditions for viewing were not ideal with many species keeping their heads down in the wind. Having said that a number of species counts were up probably as a result of birds moving in from the coast
16 September 2013
Windy Miller's
A reasonable start to the day, in fact the poor weather didn't arrive until after 12am and then most of the rain had blown through by 3:30pm. An imm/female Garganey was on the Mere this morning, and possibly another in the afternoon from the Harrier Hide.
15 September 2013
Calm before the storm.
Still 2 Little Stint and 4 Curlew Sandpiper viewed from the Ron Barker Hide. Other waders included 60+ Ruff, 600+ Lapwing, 10+ Snipe and Little Ringed Plover. An early sighting of possible Buff-breasted Sandpiper was never confirmed. Plenty of raptor acti
14 September 2013
A Damp Day
An overcast start meant excellent visibility however the rain soon set in. A good count of Little Egret with 5 birds this morning. Little Stint, 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 10+ Ruff, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 10+ Snipe and 300+ Lapwing. Stonechat and Wheat
11 September 2013
Bird News
Little Stint still present from the Ron Barker Hide, 6 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin, 20 Ruff, 12 Snipe, Greenshank and 300+ Lapwing around the reserve. At least 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, Perergrine and Kestrel. Kingfisher again from the Ron Barker
10 September 2013
Waders fest continues
Little Stint present this afternoon from the Ron Barker Hide. A minimum of 3 Curlew Sandpiper around the reserve probably 5. Four Greenshank flew in mid morning onto the Mere before heading towards Woodend Marsh. Other waders included 7 Dunlin, 2 Ringed P
9 September 2013
Little Stint
Super start to the day with Little Stint and 6 Curlew Sandpiper from the Ron Barker Hide. Not the highest autumn count of Curlew Sandpiper as we did manage 17 Curlew Sandpiper and 16 Little Stint on one day, early 00's. At least 6 Dunlin present today, Cu
8 September 2013
Wader migration continues
This autumn so far is looking like a great one for Curlew Sandpipers, with an obvious major influx underway, another 2 juveniles flew in from the southeast at c9.45 before dropping into Vinsons and Sunleys viewed from Ron Barker Hide this morning. Also fr
7 September 2013
Golden Plover
An excellent count of 34 Golden Plover this morning which flew in during some light rain. Likewise 8 Ringed Plover also dropped in. Curlew Sandpiper still from the Ron Barker Hide, also 10+ Dunlin, 20+ Snipe, 20+ Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper
6 September 2013
Curlew Sandpiper
A Curlew Sandpiper was with 10 Dunlin from the Ron Barker Hide today. Perhaps not that surprising given that there have been some good counts on the coast. A Greenshank flew over calling around midday, 42 Ruff, 20+ Snipe, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, Common San
5 September 2013
More Waders
Another excellent day, new birds are turning up and moving through everyday at the moment. Twelve Dunlin, 44 Black-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper and 400+ Lapwing. Kingfisher again showing well from the Ron Barker Hide. Wagtails again with
4 September 2013
Record Whinchat count.
A record count of 5 Whinchat yesterday evening. Some passerine movement today with pied/white wagtails around the reserve, Grey Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail. Good for raptors with 4+ Common Buzzard and at least 2 Marsh Harrier. Twenty eight Ruff, 400+ Lapwi
3 September 2013
Kingfisher and other birds.
Kingfisher showing again from the Ron Barker Hide. Also good views of Marsh Harrier from there and elsewhere around the reserve with at least 3 birds present. Other raptors included 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and 4 Common Buzzard. Again a few new waders in wi
2 September 2013