Latest sightings
Yellow Browed Warbler
It had to happen eventually, with the record numbers of Yellow-browed Warblers in the country this autumn, that one would appear on site and late morning one was seen and photographed from the Kingfisher Hide. This is the first to be seen and photographed
9 October 2016
Bird News
Lots of wildfowl around today, with over 20,000 Pink-footed Geese roosting on the reserve last night, and increased numbers of Wigeon and Pintail around this morning. Pochard have started to arrive back, with 5 present today, and 2 Whooper Swans were on t
7 October 2016
Bird News
Great White Egret still present on the reserve today, although for such a big, strikingly white bird, it can go missing for surprisingly long periods of time in the ditches and channels. The Greenland White-fronted Goose was still with Pink-footed Geese
6 October 2016
Latest Highlights
Fabulous few days as the winds from the east produce great viewing conditions here in the west. No shortage of Pink-footed Geese although no specific counts since Monday's 21,000. A single Greenland White-fronted Goose was in with the Pinks yesterday.
5 October 2016
21,000
Big arrival of Pink-footed Geese over the weekend. Today's dawn count produced 21,000 Pink-footed Geese, an awesome sight and sound. Recommend combining your visit with one of the late Wednesday and Saturday openings in October to catch these birds coming
3 October 2016
Pink-footed Geese arriving
A real classic autumn day here with skein after skein of Pink-footed Geese arriving throughout the day. Skeins coming into roost You could pretty much scan out towards the coast and track flocks of Pink-footed Geese h
1 October 2016
Pale-bellied Brent Goose
Another good day on site with new sightings in the form of the first Pale-bellied Brent Goose for a number of years, first on the Mere then in the Plover field with a few thousand Pink-footed Geese, also a single Barnacle Goose was new before flying off w
30 September 2016
Pecs Again
Positively tropical by the afternoon after another morning of misty rain. It certainly gives an air of 'rarity potential' at this time of year with low cloud hanging over the reserve. Yesterday's two Pectoral Sandpiper were present in the afternoon. They
28 September 2016
Two Pecs
Two Pectoral Sandpiper today out on Woodend Marsh viewed from the United Utilities Hide. First sightings for 7 days here. Quite possibly the same birds that have been present in the area since 16th September. Pectoral Sand
27 September 2016
Some counts
A murky day with rain early on. Just c5000 Pink-footed Geese roosting on the reserve this morning. Many birds fly off early on to return early afternoon onwards. We are predicting a big influx of geese for this coming weekend, so watch this space! Wildfow
26 September 2016
C.15,000 Pink-footed Geese
A brief update. The numbers of Pink-footed Geese are continuing to build up with around 15,000 in the area. If the forecast is anything to go by, some high pressure over Iceland mid week could produce and even bigger count next weekend. Some excellent vie
24 September 2016
Great White Returns
The Great White Egret or another bird spent most of the day on site mainly from Ron Barker feeding in Langley's Brook with an accompanying Grey Heron. Also the Greenland White-fronted Goose spent a while giving great views on the Mere with lots of Pink-fo
23 September 2016
Greenland White-fronted Goose
Another fine autumn day with plenty of activity around the reserve. A definite influx of wildfowl is occurring with increasing numbers of Wigeon, Teal and Pintail. Three Whooper Swan were seen to fly over the reserve mid morning but were not relocated. Th
21 September 2016
Further arrivals
Pink-footed Geese numbers continue to build with 6170 birds counted this afternoon. Some blocking weather fronts over Iceland are likely to slow the progress of birds leaving this week, so it will be interesting to see how the numbers change.
20 September 2016
Sightings
Another excellent couple of days, yesterday a Crake specie was reported from United Utilities Hide, no sign today but it could well reappear, here's hoping! Also yesterday a Curlew Sandpiper was seen but no reports today. The highlights today included the
19 September 2016