Latest sightings
Three Species of Owl
A three species of owl day today (and yesterday) with Short-eared Owl out hunting beyond Plover Field, 2 Barn Owl early and late on and 2 Tawny Owl roosting along the Nature Trail. Raptor action in the form of 4 different Marsh Harrier over the past coupl
9 December 2015
It's not raining!
It's not raining! The Mere looking special just before the 3pm feed. Best day weather wise for a few weeks. Unseasonably warm in the sun and a reasonably light southerly wind. The Green-winged Teal was seen out on Vin
7 December 2015
Green-winged Teal again
The drake Green-winged Teal was on the Mere from 11:30 onward til the end of the day showing from the in focus shop and the new Discovery Hide next door. Spot the Green-winged Teal.. At least 2 Barn Owl hunting early
6 December 2015
Greenland White-fronted Geese
It barely stopped raining today and the strong winds didn't help anyone birding on the reserve or elsewhere. Star birds of the day were four Greenland White-fronted Geese which flew in onto Sunley's Marsh around 11.30am. G
5 December 2015
Green-winged Teal
Given we have at least 2500 Eurasian Teal on the reserve perhaps it's not so surprising the drake Green-winged Teal has remained so elusive over the past month with only a handful of sightings. Today it was showing well on Sunley's Marsh in the afternoon.
4 December 2015
Winter Birding
Another relatively mild day with a few showers. The Mere was packed with birds throughout the day including 800+ Teal early on flushed by Marsh Harriers from Vinson/Sunley's Marsh. Whooper Swan numbers are over 1000 and around 10000 Pink-footed Geese are
2 December 2015
Chiffchaff
Following the atrocious weather conditions of the last few days, it was nice to have the opportunity to get out and see some birds. A Chiffchaff in trees near the Gladstone hide this afternoon was today's star bird, although a quick look late on failed to
1 December 2015
Bean Goose
A Tundra Bean Goose was showing from the United Utilities this afternoon. Around the reserve, still at least 2 Marsh Harriers and 2 Peregrines showing regularly, with at least one Tawny Owl in the 'usual' ivy covered tree after the Kingfisher hide. Goldcr
26 November 2015
Greenland White-front
A Greenland White-fronted Goose which spent a short while on top mere was the standout bird of the day, following on from the European White-fronted Goose that was present and photographed at the weekend. Greenland White-f
23 November 2015
Cattle Egret & Bittern!!
The change of weather and an influx of birders for the Birdfair brought a flurry of new sightings, at 08.10 Brian Wooley saw a Cattle Egret drop onto the edge of the Mere, it was seen by a few people before disappearing but was seen around lunchtime in fl
21 November 2015
Whooper Swans
With the continuing mild (for the time of year) weather, the Swan count has remained low at just 750 birds, a sudden cold spell could change all this fairly quickly though. The numbers of Whooper Swans are low due to mild
18 November 2015
Kittiwake
An adult Kittiwake that flew past the Ron Barker Hide early afternoon was a good sighting. At least 5 Marsh Harrier (4 juv, 1 2nd cal yr) were seen, also a fem/imm Merlin, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Common Buzzard. At least 1 poss 2 Siskin were s
15 November 2015
Bird News
Some sightings over the last few days have included a flock of 30 Barnacle Geese on Tuesday which were probably feral birds (not truly wild) but you never know they may have been wild. A Little Egret was seen on Wednesday and a Water Rail has been seen or
12 November 2015
Marsh Harriers
The reserve is full of birds at the moment with many more potentially to arrive depending on the severity of the winter, performing well at the moment are at least 5 Marsh Harriers today including prolonged views of one juvenile bird which waited patientl
8 November 2015
Short-eared Owl again
A Short-eared Owl was seen during the afternoon again, eventually giving good views from the Ron Barker Hide. Also at least 4 different Marsh Harrier, several Common Buzzard, a single Peregrine and a Merlin, as well as the usual Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
7 November 2015