News
Butcher Bird comes to Barnes
Red-Backed Shrike at WWT London Wetland Centre - Mike Powney Birdwatchers at WWT London Wetland Centre were thrilled to see a rare male Red-Backed Shrike on the reserve at the weekend. The Shrike is also known as the
31 May 2013
Wildlife sightings for 31st May 2013
1 Ringed Plover - flew over scrape heading NW, may have landed on main lake 3 Shoveler - marsh, scrape 1 Gadwall brood - resr lagoon 4 Redshank chicks - scrape 6 Lapwing chicks - marsh, scrape 3 Chiffchaff - reedbed, sheltered lagoon 1 Whitethroat - sc
31 May 2013
Todays Sightings
Wader Lake - AM - Tide High Shelduck - 13 Tufted Duck - 20 Grey Heron - 31 Shoveler - 2 Common Tern - 61 Avocet - 7 + 5 chicks Oystercatcher - 2 Lapwing - 4 + 2 chicks Canada Goose - 6 Greylag - 8 Little Ringed Plover - 2 Saline Lagoon Oystercatcher - 4 H
31 May 2013
Today's sightings
Rushy Still a hive of activity. Many of the black-headed gulls now have chicks and the oystercatcher pair still have at least three chicks. There are now three pairs of avocets on nests and another single bird has appeared. The female crane is still incub
31 May 2013
Recent Sightings
Recent sightings from 25 May 2013 included: Main Lake - 28 Mallard, 16 Tufted Ducks, 14 Shelducks and 1 Little Grebe Wader Marsh - 2 Common Gulls amongst the Black Headed Sedge Warbler also on Wader Marsh Swallows can be seen zooming over the Fresh Water
30 May 2013
Common Terns
A pair of Common Terns have spent most of the day around the Mere as well as the usual two 1st summer Mediterranean Gulls. A Yellow Wagtail was seen a few times from Ron Barker Hide, at the back of Sunleys. The 2 Ruff are still from Ron Barker hide along
30 May 2013
Out on the reserve today
Poplar hawk moth Moth species caught in the trap Poplar hawk moth - 5 Common swift - 5 Buff ermine - 1 Pebble prominent - 1 Poplar grey - 1 The last moth trap session of the half term will be Saturday 1 June, 10.30-11
30 May 2013
first egg hatches at around 1pm today
We have an osprey chick on the nest. The first egg hatched out at around 1pm today. The male returned at 3.10pm with a fish and she started to feed the chick, sadly with her back to the camera. I will try to get some photos and post them on this diary pa
30 May 2013
Still 2 eggs this morning - viewing time increased till 8pm
Phoot from this morning showing our male osprey 08 and the 2 eggs in the nest. Yet more sticks brought in by both birds this morning and arranged around the edge of the nest, including a particularly awkward piece of bark. The female also seemed restless
30 May 2013
Red Necked Phalarope
Zeiss Hide A fine female red necked phalarope has appeared in front of the Zeiss Hide this morning. A lone avocet and 3 redshank were also here. Cettis calling close to the hide and reed warblers showing well here. Rushy Very busy just now, Cranes still
30 May 2013
Wildlife sightings for 30th May 2013
1 Spotted Flycatcher - wildside (towards the western side of Wildside, near the Dragonfly Pond) 7 Swallow - feeding over main lake 39 Sand Martin 30+ House Martin 100+ Swift 1 Yellow-legged Gull - main lake (from WWF hide) 2 Shoveler - marsh 3+ Redshank
30 May 2013
Adopt a Moorhen
Quiet in terms of new birds but some interesting behaviour, among the Black headed Gull colony on the Mere, one Gull has seemingly taken over a Moorhen nest and the Moorhen chick that was in it. It seems perfectly happy with looking after the chick but ag
29 May 2013
Bean goose breeding grounds revealed by GPS
GPS tracking has revealed for the first time the migration of Scotland’s only bean goose flock. Scientists from WWT, commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), fitted tracking devices to six taiga bean geese on the Slamannan plateau last winter. D
29 May 2013
Wildlife sightings for 29th May 2013
2 Shoveler - wader scrape, pair 4 Redshank chicks - wader scrape 4 Redshank adults - wader scrape 1 Blackcap - singing north east corner To allow the sand martins to establish their nests the nest bank is currently closed. It will re-open May 31s
29 May 2013
Going quackers for fluffy ducklings . . .
Downy Ducklings captured by David Lowe DUCKLINGS have been taking their first faltering waddles at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, outside Comber, Co Down. The popular Downy Duckling Tours have returned and will take
29 May 2013