Latest sightings
First Whooper Swans arrived today.
Six Whooper Swans on the Mere this morning signal the first returning birds from their breeding grounds in Iceland. Pretty sure this is the earliest we have had them arrive on the reserve. Generally we wouldn't expect larger numbers to arrive until mid Oc
19 September 2012
Spoonbill
An early update - Spoonbill flew over the Mere at 10:20 and carried on NW towards the Ribble. Virtually annual on the reserve in recent years, they are now established breeders on the North Norfolk coast. This bird brings our substantial year list onto
18 September 2012
Blue-winged Teal....
No sign of the Blue-winged Teal found at Marshside RSPB yesterday. Although perhaps that's not surprising in the windy condition which kept most of the wildfowl tucked away. Birds regularly move between sites in the area so we shall be keeping an eye or t
17 September 2012
Bar-tailed Godwit
A juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit was a good start to the day, it appeared over the mere before settling down in front of Ron Barker hide. Other waders included upto 20 Ruff, 60 Snipe and 700 Lapwing. The main feature of the day was the big increase in Pink-fo
15 September 2012
No Sea Birds
A windy start to the day making viewing difficult. As usual no pelagic species were blown in, always rare inland away from big bodies of deep water. Similar number of Pink-footed Geese to yesterday. Few reports received although the condition did concentr
14 September 2012
Last few days.
A few internet / phone problems over the past few days are now (hopefully) sorted. A fine selection of migrants, winter visitors and the odd long stayer. Pink-footed Geese numbers have shot up with at least 2500 around the reserve today. More Teal, 1000+
13 September 2012
Pink-feet
More Pink-footed Geese arriving with a count of 713 birds. Other water bird counts included 553 Greylag, 200 Canada Geese, 1150 Teal, 1130 Mallard, 12 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 34 Shoveler, 39 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 29 Moorhen, 60 Coot, 12 Cormorant and 15 Grey
10 September 2012
Waders and Wagtails
More signs of autumn passage and the outlook looks good for the next few days. Reports from late afternoon included Spotted Redshank which would be new in and Curlew Sandpiper from the Ron Barker. Four Hundred Lapwing, 25 Ruff, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 50+
9 September 2012
Too Sunny...
I know what your thinking, it's not that this last blast of summer isn't without it's benefits but a few showers moving through would be bound to bring some new birds onto the reserve. Best report of the day goes to Curlew Sandpiper which was seen from th
8 September 2012
More Pinkfeet arriving
An autumnal feel to the day with grey sky, a bit of a westerly wind and drizzle complete with flocks of newly arriving Pink footed Geese during the morning, hard to know how many were involved, but at least 250 birds in several flocks with the possibility
7 September 2012
Autumn action
The most exciting bird of the last 2 days would have to be the probable Black necked Grebe that was seen briefly yesterday in flight, with another report today of a Grebe that wasn't a Little or Great crested and from the description yesterday everything
6 September 2012
Some Disturbance
Some disturbance today and probably tomorrow as the early autumn vegetation and grass cutting occurs around the reserve. The amount of rain received over summer is making hay cutting out on the marshy reserve fields very difficult. These cuts provide new
4 September 2012
Jay, new for the year.
Autumn wanderers come in all shapes and sizes. Today's Jay seen by the Ron Barker Hide will be a local bird, although Jay do arrive from the continent later in the autumn. Although the reserve has some well developed trees, Jay is an unusual bird on the r
3 September 2012
Garganey (about time..)
Garganey in eclipsed plumage showing well on the Mere 15:30 at least. It, or perhaps another, was seen earlier on from the Ron Barker Hide. The Teal numbers have risen considerably in the past week to over 1000 so this sighting was not unexpected. Twelve
2 September 2012
Northern Wheatear
More signs of autumn passage with a male Northern Wheatear from the Ron Barker Hide this morning. Common Swift moving south. Raptors providing most of the entertainment with 2+ Marsh Harrier, 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Wader
1 September 2012