Latest sightings
Latest Sightings
Some excitement early afternoon with a report of a drake American Wigeon. The bird disappeared for an hour and when it was relocated a close inspection revealed it was a hybrid. Easily done and one of the potential pitfalls that occurs especially with wil
20 November 2014
Latest Sightings
A delayed up date on what's around on the reserve. A count of Pink-footed Geese over the weekend produced just over 9000 birds and a total of nearly 42000 in Lancashire as a whole. The Whooper Swan numbers decreased slightly to 957 with some birds moving
18 November 2014
Snow Goose
The Lesser Snow Goose (white morph) which has been roaming the area with Pink-footed Geese for the last week put in an appearance when it flew North over the reserve early afternoon. The bird was seen out on the Ribble with Pink's yesterday so hopefully w
15 November 2014
Green-winged Teal
A drake Green-winged Teal was found from Ron Barker Hide today, so hopefully it will stick around for all to see this North American version of our Teal, now afforded full species status after spending many years as a sub-species.
13 November 2014
Latest Sightings
Plenty of activity throughout the reserve with most wildfowl counts on the increase. No specific data as such but the wardens are working on that. Everything bar Pink-footed Geese will be increasing in number, especially with the onset of colder condition
11 November 2014
Water Rail
The Water Rail is still showing from the Ron Barker Hide along with 1-2 Kingfisher. Still good numbers of raptors on site with 8+ Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, Kestrel Sparrowhawk and Peregrine. Sunset over the Mere at
9 November 2014
Recent Sightings
The 5 Avocet were still present yesterday but no sign today, but a single Dunlin was present. Still good numbers of Ruff with at least 50 being counted today. Good numbers of Pink-footed Geese still in the area with up to 17,000 roosting on the Mere overn
8 November 2014
Latest Sightings
A chillier feel today with a few showers moving through. Five Avocet today are late migrants. It would be interesting to know where these birds have come in from? Other waders include 30+ Ruff, 800+ Lapwing 10+ Common Snipe and a probable Dunlin. Yesterd
6 November 2014
Six species of Raptor
A good raptor day, free from rain bright and sunny for most of the day. A Merlin was pick of the bunch with 2 Peregrine, 6+ Common Buzzard, 2+ Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. The wildfowl numbers are continuing to build although we have had no r
4 November 2014
Woodcock
The first sighting of Woodcock this autumn with a bird which was flushed along the new Wild Walk inside the waterfowl gardens. Well worth keeping an eye out for Woodcock from now on from the Janet Kear Hide. Peregrines (adult male and imm female) hunting
2 November 2014
Willow Tit
A late sighting from yesterday was a Willow Tit seen near the Ron Barker hide, hopefully more sightings to come of this scarce Lancashire bird. Lots of sightings to report from today, winter Thrushes were seen with up to 120 Fieldfare and 50 Redwing and S
31 October 2014
Whoopers
A frosty and misty start to the day followed by a very pleasant day with great viewing. An early morning count produced 500 Whooper Swan, a good count for the end of October. Quite a few reports coming in from Scotland of Whoopers moving in the past few d
29 October 2014
Hen Harrier
A brief update. A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen mid morning on the reserve. It's worth noting that this bird was much paler than the recent possible Northern Harrier. Hopefully this bird will stick around with the other raptors present including 2+ Marsh
28 October 2014
Recent bird news
Recent days have seen plenty of sightings, the Water Rail is still showing at times along with up to 2 Kingfisher in front of Ron Barker Hide. Still 4-5 Marsh Harrier in the area, 3 Peregrine and lots of Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
27 October 2014
The Beast!
Another good day on site with lots of Pink-Footed Geese and c350 Whooper Swan in the area, lots of Wigeon, Teal and Pintail. The Water Rail has been showing on and off from Ron Barker again along with 2 Kingfishers. Still at least 4 Marsh Harriers seen to
25 October 2014