Latest sightings
Yellow Wagtails & Garganey
A fantastic count of 20 Yellow Wagtails on the reserve this morning in amongst the Cattle, also a juv along Curlew Lane early morning. A fem/juv Garganey was among 200+ Teal out from Ron Barker Hide, plenty of Shoveler also and 1 resident Whooper Swan.The
18 August 2019
Arctic Tern
An Adult Arctic Tern graced the Mere just before 1pm for about 10 mins before disappearing into the murky drizzle. Scarce birds on the reserve despite local breeders along the Ribble Estuary.Still big numbers of Black-tailed Godwits with 2000+ on the Mere
16 August 2019
Cattle Egret
A breeding plumaged Cattle Egret first seen in flight over the Mere mid afternoon was eventually relocated from Ron Barker Hide on the grass at the side of Langley's Brook a while later. Also at least 1 Little Egret on site today.A good selection of wader
15 August 2019
More Wader-fest!
Water levels across the reserve have dropped back again after the recent torrential rain, up to 8 inches lower on the Mere and a good way to go yet. All in all this should be perfect for the next 4 weeks of peak wader passage, fingers crossed! The Black-t
14 August 2019
More Waders
Great wader spotting again with Wood Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 12 Knot, 700+ Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Dunlin, 16+ Ruff, 10+ Snipe and 400+ Lapwing. Raptor include 3 juv Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Barn Owl out during
13 August 2019
Knot Unusual
Monday rolling update... At least 8 Knot with a flock of ~ 400 Black-tailed Godwit on the Mere this morning. Some years were may only get one or two sightings of Knot, which are primarily a coastal wader. This year we have had exceptional numbers with one
12 August 2019
Little Stint
Better conditions today and more new waders coming in. A Little Stint was found on Woodend Marsh around midday and a Greenshank there was new in. No counts but 1000+ Black-tailed Godwit present, 20+ Ruff including juveniles, 10+ Snipe, 500+ Lapwing, 3 Dun
11 August 2019
Godwit-fest
Not the best of weather today, not that it's putting off the huge numbers (2000+) of Black-tailed Godwit we have on the reserve at the moment. Good numbers of Lapwing with 500+ present, also 15+ Ruff, 10+ Snipe, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper.Peregrine,
10 August 2019
Waders
Water levels on Vinson's and Sunley's Marsh and Woodend are dropping back slightly as the the drainage cut that runs through the reserve beings to drop. Recent rains have made the local fields fairly waterlogged which continues to run off for some while.
8 August 2019
Wood Sands still
Still at least 2 Wood Sandpiper on Woodend Marsh viewable from UU Hide, also 1000+ Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Snipe and a few Ruff including a fresh juvenile. Three Green Sandpiper were on Top Mere.A good count of 100 Shoveler on Vinson's Marsh from Ron Bark
6 August 2019
Hobby and Med Gull
A Hobby was seen a few times today from Ron Barker Hide also at least 2 Marsh Harrier.A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was on the Mere early afternoon also the first juvenile Common Gull of the autumn joined the many young Black-headed Gulls, making a great
5 August 2019
Wood Sandpipers
A group of 3 Wood Sandpiper were a highlight today closely followed by 2 Greenshank both on view mid afternoon from UU Hide, also from here still large numbers of Black-tailed Godwit and up to 15 Ruff. Other notable waders on site include 5 Green Sandpipe
4 August 2019
Barn Owl & Harriers
A Barn Owl was out this morning in the Top mere area best viewed from Ron barker Hide, also 2 Marsh Harrier showing well.Yesterday at least 1 Wood Sandpiper present in Langley's Brook also Common Sandpiper and 2 Green Sandpiper here. Still good numbers of
2 August 2019
New Record Count!
We keep smashing the record count of Black-tailed Godwit (featured image). This morning 2800 have flown onto the reserve. A truly spectacular sight, particularly in flight. More heavy rain overnight and high water levels across the site but they are drop
31 July 2019
After the rain
Nearly 24 hours of rain over the weekend has put the water levels up considerably round the reserve. Once the levels on Pump House Sluice start to drop we should have a bit more wader mud back. A good start to the morning with 620 Black-tailed Godwit roos
29 July 2019