Latest sightings
White-winged Black Tern
Bird of the year (so far..) an adult White-winged Black Tern on the reserve this morning and still present late afternoon. This diminutive marsh tern is about 2/3rd the size of a Common Tern and has a eastern distribution in Europe, although the species i
24 May 2015
Temminck's Stint
Temminck's Stint again this morning with a Little Stint along the back of Sunley's Marsh this morning. Spotted Crake calling on the reserve before dawn. A Hobby seen near the Sewage Works this morning and again over the Waterfowl Garden early afternoon is
23 May 2015
Temminck's Stint back again.
(Mr) Temminck's Stint is back again this afternoon out on Woodend Marsh, assuming it's not a brand new bird? It does beg the question as to where it has been hiding over the past couple of days? Temminick's Stint... it's t
20 May 2015
Chick-fest.
The first Black-headed Gull and Shelduck chicks hatched today. In fact a number of Black-headed Gull pairs had chicks hatching. Black-headed Gull with the years first chicks These new arrivals join many Avocet chicks
19 May 2015
More Waders
Continuing to look excellent for wader passage over the next few days. This morning's rain moved through by 11am but not before dropping in 8 Turnstone on the Mere. Unfortunately 30 seconds later they were flushed by a low flying Helicopter. The highest p
18 May 2015
Temminck's Stint
Missing last year, today Temminck's Stint makes a welcome return to the year list. Temminck's Stint was last recorded on the reserve in 2013 on the 17th May! The bird is currently (16:00) being seen from the Ron Barker Hide. More additions to the year lis
17 May 2015
Garganey
Drake Garganey on Woodend Marsh this morning viewed from the United Utilities Hide. Also there the 1st summer Little Gull and 2 Common Tern. The first Oystercatcher chicks also on Woodend and some newly hatched Avocet chicks too. At least 13 Ringed Plover
16 May 2015
Common Tern
A very pleasant day with the wind dropping although the visibility tends to be much poorer for distance viewing! The first Common Tern of the year a pair(?) in the morning on Woodend Marsh. The 1st summer Little Gull was present there too.
13 May 2015
Latest Sightings
At least 10 Wheatear in the ploughed field beyond Woodend Marsh in what appears to be yet another influx of this species. An immature Marsh Harrier on Woodend Marsh this morning was new in. A Corn Bunting was singing in front of the Ron Barker Hide this m
12 May 2015
Latest Sightings
A brief up-date. The Little Gull is still present on the reserve generally from the United Utilities Hide although it has been seen in front of the Harrier Hide and on the Mere. Two Med Gull (ad + imm) again today. Two Whimbrel on the Mere late afternoon.
11 May 2015
First Avocet chicks
Avocet with 4 recently hatched chicks First Avocet chicks of the year distantly on Woodend Marsh viewed from the United Utilities Hide. Can the parents defend them against myriad of potential predators?
10 May 2015
Wader-fest
Some obvious migrant waders dropping in today with 16 Ringed Plover on the Mere around midday. A few Dunlin present with these birds and 2 Common Sandpiper. Previously a flock of 13 Dunlin zipped through the reserve, perhaps landing on Sunley's Marsh. Thr
9 May 2015
Little Gull
Wet and wild condition today. A immature Little Gull was present on the Mere early on. A Yellow Wagtail flew south over the Mere mid morning. Eleven Whimbrel from the Ron Barker Hide late afternoon. Just up the road towards Burscough a pair of Grey Partri
6 May 2015
Garganey
As we go into May there is a real sense of excitement as migration is in full flow. Today looked interesting with fronts moving through and occasional rain showers. While cloud cover was present the visibility was some of the best we've had on the reserve
5 May 2015
Cuckoo
The first Cuckoo of the year heard and seen near the Kingfisher Hide early afternoon. This sighting was two weeks earlier than last year although the mean early date in Lancashire is the 16th April. More Whimbrel with a flock of 14. Three Little Ringed Pl
4 May 2015