News
Artists inspired by Nature
Castle Espie Gallery, nature through art, will be opening the doors on Saturday 1 February at 2pm to an inspiring mixed exhibition of art works by Irish artists. The theme of the exhibition was to capture the surrounding nature using various mediums. The
27 January 2014
Latest Sightings
Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 150 Tufted Duck 77 Wigeon 180 Shoveler 25 Mute Swan 41 Canada Goose 40 Greylag Goose 10 Oystercatcher 2 Folly Pond Green-winged Teal 1 ♂ Teal 400 Wigeon 350 Shoveler 13 Shelduck 1 Lapwing 10 Curlew 20 Redshank 40 Oystercatcher
27 January 2014
Today's sightings
Holden Tower E. White-fronted Geese- c 100 at times with some in Tack Piece and rest in fields to N. Dark-bellied Brent Goose 1 Barnacle Goose 140 Little Stint 2 Dunlin 400 Lapwing 2000 Curlew 400 Tack Piece Black-tailed Godwit 80 Lapwing 1000 Golden Plov
27 January 2014
Raptors
A good day for raptors probably resulting from the weekends wet and windy weather which would have made hunting difficult for these birds. Merlin seen on and off, 3 Peregrines early on, with one catching a Coot. At least 5 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier,
27 January 2014
Today's highlights
2 greenshank, 3 spotted redshank, 150 lapwing, 15 snipe, 120 wigeon, 3 little egret, 2 raven, 2 redwing, 4 song thrush, 2 mistle thrush and water rail.
27 January 2014
Wildlife sightings for 27th January 2014
1 Brambling - south route Explore bird feeders 4 Redpoll - south route Explore bird feeders 4 Siskin - flew NW 11 Redwing - sheltered lagoon 1 Jack Snipe - marsh 2 Shelduck - scrape 1 Bittern - main lake W shore a.m. January bird highlights: Bitte
27 January 2014
Today's sightings
Holden Tower Slow start this morning but numbers of birds built up to thousands by midday. Golden Plover 3500 Lapwing 4000 Dunlin 600 DB Brent 1 Barnacle 160 Curlew 450 over high tide Tack Piece Little Stint 1 Ruff 6 Black-tailed Godwit 90 Bewick's Swan 1
26 January 2014
Flood levels abate
After what seems an age, but only a month, water levels are beginning to get down near to normal. However as I write the rain has returned! The reserve does have its usual residents and visitors with Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Shelduck, Lapwing, Snipe, Tuft
26 January 2014
Wildlife sightings for 26th January 2014
1 Kestrel - hunting near sheltered lagoon 1 Jack Snipe - scrape 2 Shelduck - scrape 2 Pintail - main lake 52 Wigeon - marsh 1 Kingfisher - flew S across main lake 7 Redpoll - flew E towards sheltered lagoon Additional sighting from yesterday: 1 Bra
26 January 2014
Lapwings and other birds
A calm start before some wilder weather blew in. Biggest count of the winter with 3100 Lapwing, a fantastic sight as they take to the air to avoid raptors. More Oystercatcher arriving with 9 birds around the Mere. Also 80+ Ruff and a single Dunlin. At lea
25 January 2014
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake/Tide - High/Time - AM Mute Swan - 4 Greylag - 1 Canada Goose - 7 Shelduck - 14 Teal - 11 Grey Heron - 7 Saline Lagoon Shelduck - 2 Other Birds Goosander - River Wear - 2 Woodpigeon - Over site - 450 Cormorant - Over site - 2 Hawthorn Wood Bull
25 January 2014
Latest Sightings
Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 157 Tufted Duck 80 Wigeon 130 Shoveler 8 Mute Swan 60 Canada Goose 170 Gadwall 2 ♂ Oystercatcher 1 Folly Pond Green-winged Teal 1 ♂ Teal 277 Wigeon 26 Shoveler 15 Pintail 1♂ Shelduck 2 Oystercatcher 2 Redshank 9 Curlew 20
25 January 2014
Today's sightings
Above image taken today in the Tack Piece by James Lees WWT The Tack Piece Greenland White-fronted Goose 1 European White-fronted Goose 266 American Wigeon Hybrid 1 male Wigeon 800 Teal 600 Pintail 140 Bewick's Swan 80 Ruff 5 Black-tailed Godwit 60 Golde
25 January 2014
Wildlife sightings for 25th January 2014
1 Bittern - main lake N shore (spotted from Dulverton hide) 2 Shelduck - wader scrape 2 Pintail - main lake 7 Snipe - marsh 1 Brambling - explore feeders area 18 Redwing - entrance area and along Q.E.W 1 Chiffchaff - South route 2 Peregrine - male and fem
25 January 2014
Bewick's Swan again
The Bewick's Swan was again on the Mere showing well from Swan Link Hide with 1000 Whooper Swan and a few Mute Swan. The 2 Marsh Harriers were again hunting over the reedbeds and fields along with 4 Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk was seen perched on fen
24 January 2014