Latest sightings
Some sightings
A crisp day, sunshine and a chilly breeze. Plenty of waterfowl activity still with thousands of ducks, geese and swans present. Waders included 70+ Avocet, 80+ Oystercatcher, 30+ Black-tailed Godw [...]
5 March 2012
Peregrines
An adult male Peregrine and an immature bird were both welcome sightings with few reports of late. Other raptors included at least one Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard. Good numbers o [...]
3 March 2012
101 Avocet
Another glorious day, calm, sunny and warm. Perhaps not surprising to find another large influx of Avocet, bring the total up to 101, not far off a record count. other waders included 108 Oystercatche [...]
2 March 2012
Bird News
The Cetti's Warbler was heard again today, this time from the reserve end of the reedbed walk, but, as is often the case with this very elusive species, not seen. A Marsh Harrier was seen circling [...]
1 March 2012
Claims for Spring?
Very pleasant conditions today, even more spring like, although the traditional start to spring (21st March) is sometime away and the reserve is still packed with winter visitors. Five Redshank at [...]
29 February 2012
Some sightings
A very murky start with misty rain limiting viewing for the first few hours. The Mere was quiet early on due to the annual swan catch, although everything looked back to normal by the afternoon feed. [...]
28 February 2012
18 Avocet
Spring just round the corner and an influx of Avocet just to prove it with 18 birds, mostly from the Ron Barker. Other waders included a newly arrived Redshank, 3 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, 20+ Black-tailed Go [...]
27 February 2012
Raptors
A quality day out on the reserve, calm winds and good visibility. Raptors in action included 2 near adult male Marsh Harriers, Merlin, Peregrine , 4+ Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Barn [...]
26 February 2012
One-a-Day
Avocet appear to be increasing at a rate of one a day with 7 birds now present. Although unlikely, if this were to continue to occur it'll be the 5 June before we reach last years peak numbers. Oy [...]
25 February 2012
Bird News
Firstly, late news from yesterday, when a Brimstone butterfly was seen taking advantage of the unusually fine weather - probably a mistake, as the more typical wind and rain had returned by this [...]
24 February 2012
Bird News
A remarkably Spring-like feel about today, with lots of our resident species including Robins, Dunnocks, Blackbirds and Skylarks in full voice. A few partial counts from around the reserve included 1 [...]
23 February 2012
Tundra Beans and Whoopers
Slightly damp on and off but still a winter spectacle to behold. A count of Whooper Swan hit 1650, probably numbers swelled by birds moving north from WWT Welney. Six Tundra Bean Geese were with ~ 400 [...]
22 February 2012
Harriers and Waders
An excellent wader 'fest' on the mildest day we've had for some time, clear too for good distance scanning. Avocet have crept up to four, 15 Golden Plover was a very good count for here, 4 [...]
21 February 2012
Avocets Return
The first of the returning Avocet flew in today, three birds, still present late afternoon from the Ron Barker Hide. These birds are a little latter than the first birds of 2011, but this isn [...]
20 February 2012
Today's Sightings
Showery at the start, hail storm near the end, breezy but sunny in between. A good goose day with around 3,500 Pink-footed Geese coming into roost. Two European White-fronted Geese and a Tundra Bean G [...]
18 February 2012