Latest sightings
Great White Egret
A Great White Egret was seen mid afternoon from the Ron Barker Hide and then flew towards Woodend Marsh. Worth noting if you see anything interesting like this pop into the in focus shop or phone on 01704 897020 and we can disseminate the news to all conc
10 September 2014
Creeping Upwards
A few more Pink-footed Geese arriving with 470 birds recorded early afternoon. Pink-footed Geese on Vinson's Marsh (Andy Bunting) A high count of 790 Greylag Geese. These feral birds flock with the same instincts as wild birds although it is thought wild
9 September 2014
Curlew Sandpipers
More waders in today with a good count of 6 Curlew Sandpiper. Other arrivals included 6 Dunlin, Avocet and 9 Ringed Plover that went west. Curlew Sandpipers - Andy Bunting The Pink-footed Goose count reached 300 by mid morning although no further arrival
8 September 2014
Pink-footed Geese arriving
It's official! The first groups of Pink-footed Geese started to arrive onto the reserve this morning with 18 birds dropping in. By mid afternoon at least 80 birds were present. The forecast doesn't look classic for bringing in really big numbers of geese
7 September 2014
Recent Sightings
A Curlew Sandpiper is still around, being seen from the United Utilities Hide and later from Ron Barker, where there was also 2 Dunlin, 15 Ruff and 5 Black tailed Godwit. Around 400 Lapwing can be seen at the moment along with small numbers of Common Snip
6 September 2014
Latest Sightings
Another calm and warm day with six species of raptor to the fore with Hobby, 2 Peregrine, 2 Marsh Harrier, 6+ Common Buzzard, 4 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Similar waders to yesterday with Wood Sandpiper still on Woodend Marsh this morning, although no rep
4 September 2014
Migrants
More action today with new birds arriving. It's easy to over look some of the passerines which are on the move during the autumn. Today new species in included male Stonechat on Owl Marsh, 3 Wheatear (2 Sunley's Marsh), 6 Yellow Wagtail and 21 Meadow Pipi
3 September 2014
Six Species of Raptors
An excellent raptor day with calm and warm conditions seeing many birds on the wing. A Hobby hawking for insects over Top Mere was the pick of the bunch which also included 5+ Kestrel, 8+ Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harrier and Peregrine. The R
2 September 2014
Pink-feet?
It's that time of year were thoughts turn to returning geese. There has been a build up of feral geese with ~350 Greylag and 40+ Canada Geese on the reserve today. In among the Greylag flock were two Pink-footed Geese. In recent years the first local si
1 September 2014
All change
With a lot of over night rain the water levels covered most of the remaining mud, so there was a clear out of the small waders from yesterday. Only 1 Dunlin was seen today but Ruff numbers broke 60 for the first time this autumn. A single Golden Plover wa
30 August 2014
Curlew Sandpiper
The juvenile Curlew Sandpiper is still present from yesterday along with the juvenile Little Stint and a few Dunlin for comparison. A Greenshank appeared on the Mere briefly mid afternoon before being flushed by a Marsh Harrier. Good numbers of Ruff and L
29 August 2014
Little Stint again
A juvenile Little Stint was again from Ron Barker hide moving between Vinson's and Sunley's this afternoon along with 3 Dunlin (juvs), 4 Little ringed Plover (juvs), Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank (adult), 15+ Snipe and at least 54 Ruff this evening. Also up
27 August 2014
Little Stint
The best sighting of the day was a Little Stint distantly from Ron Barker which later flew off high west with 2 Dunlin. Other waders included at least 20+ Ruff (15 juvs), juv Little ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper and 300+ Lapwing.
26 August 2014
Latest Sightings
Chilly in the shade/hides today. Early rain didn't appear to drop a huge number birds in although the 10 Dunlin recorded might be new. Four Little Ringed Plover from the Ron Barker Hide with one Ringed Plover, Curlew and 12 Ruff. At least 300 Lapwing arou
23 August 2014
Spotted Redshank
A proper autumn feel today as the air mass is coming from the North but blowing a brisk westerly. A classic date for a good wader or two with a Wilson's Phalarope turning up today in 2009. Nothing quite as rare but a Spotted Redshank which flew onto Vinso
21 August 2014