Latest sightings
Pectoral Sandpiper
The highlight of the day was the discovery of an adult or 2nd cal year Pectoral Sandpiper early afternoon on Sunley's viewable from Ron Barker Hide. This North American wader is an almost annual visitor to the reserve but this is the first record this ye
21 August 2018
Hobby
At least 1 Hobby sighting today, possibly 2 from Ron Barker Hide, also the juv Marsh Harrier is still around and showing well at times. Still small numbers of Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff this morning including juveniles of both, c500 Lapwing and good nu
18 August 2018
Recent Sightings
The juvenile Marsh Harrier has been giving good views over the last few days, also a large juvenile female Peregrine has been keeping the resident birds on edge with it's appearance. Up to 4 different Sparrowhawks have been noted along with the usual Buzz
17 August 2018
Bird News
Few reports today, but from the Ron Barker hide , 2 Marsh Harriers, a Greenshank, at least 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Kingfishers and a Sparrowhawk. Also good numbers of Ruff, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit and Snipe, although no actual counts received.
14 August 2018
Wood Sandpiper still
One of the juvenile Wood Sandpipers is still present viewed from Ron Barker hide, also 3-4 Green Sandpiper from here with at least another 2 from UU Hide. Still up to 17 Dunlin remain from yesterday. Good numbers of Black-tailed Godwit around with c150 o
12 August 2018
Wood Sandpiper
At least 1 juvenile Wood Sandpiper is still present this morning on Vinson's Marsh viewed from Ron Barker hide, also 2-3 Green Sandpiper, 21 Dunlin (mainly juveniles), 2 juv Little ringed Plover, 10+ Snipe, 1 Avocet, 1 Curlew and several Ruff. A juv Com
11 August 2018
Waders
Up to 9 Green Sandpipers were seen today, mostly from the Ron Barker hide, where a single Wood sandpiper remained. At least 30 Common Snipe, 20 Ruff, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Little Ringed Plovers and 2 Ringed Plovers were also present. Lapwing number
9 August 2018
Wood Sandpipers
The two juvenile Wood Sandpipers are still present and have found each other, both feeding together quite close on Vinson's from Ron Barker hide throughout the day. Also from Ron Barker today, at least 6 Green Sandpiper, 9 Dunlin (7 ad, 2 juv), juv Littl
7 August 2018
Wood & Green Sandpipers
There are now 2 Wood Sandpipers on site both were on view from Ron Barker hide late afternoon, also now at least 9 Green Sandpiper present, also the juvenile Greenshank still on view from UU Hide. Increasing numbers of Snipe too with at least 25 counte
6 August 2018
Common Scoter
The bird of the day on Saturday was a male Common Scoter on the Mere early morning only. This is only the 3rd or 4th record for the reserve of this sea duck, which is easy to see off coastal sites such as Blackpool which has up to 20,000 birds wintering
5 August 2018
Bird News update
Apologies for the recent lack of updates - normal service will resume this weekend ! Wader passage is picking up at the moment, with Ruff numbers building, and more Black-tailed Godwits appearing daily. As many as six Green Sandpipers have been seen, wit
3 August 2018
Wood Sandpiper
The Wood Sandpiper seems to have settled down in Langleys Brook viewable from Ron Barker Hide, also occasionally on Sunley's from the same hide. Also from Ron Barker Hide today 3 Dunlin, 5 Little ringed Plover, 45 Ruff (mainly males moulting out of the
21 July 2018
Waders
Plenty of waders on the move at the moment, a juvenile Wood Sandpiper has been on site for a few days now but is very mobile, best looked for from Ron Barker where it was in Langleys Brook this morning. Also up to 5 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 9
20 July 2018
Recent Sightings
The highlight, bird wise over the last few days has been the re-appearance of the Spoonbill, still present today from Ron Barker Hide. Also the return autumn wader passage is bringing in new birds almost every day now, lots of new Ruff have been appearing
4 July 2018
More Waders
The water levels on the Mere are dropping back slightly making for better wader habitat. Luckily the water levels around the site can be controlled so if this heat wave continues the reserve will be a haven for wetland birds as other sites dry up. Great t
30 June 2018