News
Spring is here despite the cold snap
Lapwing are tumbling over Lady Fen this morning, displaying to one another and investigating the scrapes of land that will be their territories in a few weeks time. Groups of shoveler and shelduck are also displaying out on the reserve. Oystercatchers
10 March 2013
Todays sightings
LAPWING HIDE; 6 Lapwing, 7 Grey lag and 4 Canadian geese, 2 Common Shelduck, 14 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 Kestrel. RAMSAR & SANDMARTIN HIDES; 6 Shoveler (10 seen yesterday), 5 Canadian and 2 Egyptian geese, 16 Common Shelduck, 4 Pochard, 5 Cormorants, Blac
9 March 2013
Waders dropping in.
A good start to the day with a cracking adult male Hen Harrier which flew onto the reserve at 9.30am and off again around 10am. Although the reserve opens at 9.30, the Reed Bed Walk can be accessed at anytime and the viewing platforms give excellent views
9 March 2013
Artists inspired by nature
Nanuk by artist Jeremy Hamilton Castle Espie Gallery will be opening the doors on Saturday 16 March at 2pm to an inspiring mixed exhibition of art works by NI artists. The theme of the exhibition was to capture the su
9 March 2013
Improving conditions at Welney
As water levels improve at Welney we have now opened the dragonfly pond areas, giving views out across the washes from next to the Reedbed hide which is still currently closed. This area is perfect for viewing good numbers of wigeon and dabbling ducks
9 March 2013
Today's sightings
One of the male Lesser Redpolls this morning in the Asian Pen Copyright JSLees The Rushy Bewick's Swan 142 Pochard 40 Pintail 85 The Holden Tower GOSHAWK 1 imm male again huntimng wildfowl Black-tailed Godwit 57 Golden Plover 600 Dunlin 350 Lapwing 900 O
9 March 2013
Wildlife sightings for 9th March 2013
2 Shelduck - wader scrape 2 Pintail - wader scrape 11 Mandarin – world wetlands 2 Oystercatcher - main lake 77 Lapwing - main lake 4 Snipe - wader scrape, main lake 1 Skylark - grazing marsh 37 Fieldfare – mostly flew NW 4 Redwing – entrance/world w
9 March 2013
Latest Sightings
Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 143 Mute Swan 45 Wigeon 96 Tufted Duck 16 Canada Goose 2 Greylag Goose 1 Shoveler 1 Oystercatcher 2 Shoveler 1 Folly Pond Teal 10 Shoveler 18 Wigeon 20 Redshank 2 Black-tailed Godwit 2 Oystercatcher 2 Black-headed Gull 2 Shelduck
9 March 2013
Breeding behaviour.
Lots of my breeding pairss are getting in the mood... Others? Well they're just showing off! A male white-headed duck struts his stuff. Including... the glorious white-headed duck. Nothing heralds the sound of spring
8 March 2013
Redshank arrives.
More signs of spring as a single Redshank turned up on the Mere this morning. Redshank breed on the reserve and as more birds come in it's a great chance to brush up on your wader id skills while good numbers of Ruff (c80 today) are still present. Other w
8 March 2013
Today's sightings-Mealy Redpoll
Female Mealy Redpoll (Common Redpoll) in the grounds Copyright JSLees The Grounds MEALY REDPOLL or COMMON REDPOLL 1 Female showing well feeding in Alders between the Asian and Tundra Pens, And sitting up in the nearby willow. It is feeding with the fi
8 March 2013
Wildlife sightings for 8th March 2013
2 Pintail - wader scrape 184+ Teal - site count 3 Mandarin - main lake 1 Redshank - main lake 1 Oystercatcher - main lake 8 Snipe - main lake, grazing marsh, wader scrape Recent bird highlights: Bittern, Peregrine, Shelduck, Redshank, Skylark, Bearded Tit
8 March 2013
Latest Sightings
Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 140 Mute Swan 44 Wigeon 83 Tufted Duck 48 Canada Goose 2 Greylag Goose 1 Shoveler 3 Oystercatcher 2 Teal 2 Folly Pond Teal 40 Shoveler 21 Wigeon 20 Redshank 10 Black-tailed Godwit 8 Oystercatcher 2 Black-headed Gull 2 Shelduck 2
8 March 2013
Essential tree works taking place
We have essential tree surgery taking place on site from Monday 11 March for a few days. This will involve the removal of some dangerous trees and the pollarding or coppicing of others. We will try to keep disruption to an absolute minimum but apologise f
7 March 2013
Hatch of the week: Black-necked swan
Each week we will start to feature a 'Hatch of the Week'. This week I am pleased to say that one black-necked swan cygnet hatched two days ago. They were sitting on three eggs, but only one has hatched and the cygnet can be seen riding around on mum's bac
7 March 2013