News

Buff-breasted Sandpiper still present
The Buff-breasted Sandpiper showed well today on the edge of the Dumbles. This bird can only be seen on a guided walk. The next will be at midday on Saturday. Meet at the Holden Tower. Dumbles / Estuary BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER - present from 1130-1230 at

Explore the night sky at WWT Martin Mere
In partnership with Liverpool Astronomical Society, WWT Martin Mere is offering visitors a way to explore the night sky at an astronomy evening on Saturday 6 October. The event will start at 7.30pm and will include special talks entitled: 'Our place in sp

Today's sightings
Pectoral sandpiper - 2 Curlew sandpiper - 8 Dunlin - 6 Ringed plover - 42 Spoonbill - 3

Todays Sightings
Wader Lake/am/High Tide Curlew - 10 Redshank - 18 Lapwing - 7 Common Snipe - 4 Teal - 33 Grey Heron - 12 Sparrow Hawk - 1 Saline Lagoon Common Sandpiper - 1 Other Birds Treecreeper - Car Park Wood - 1 Jay - North Wood - 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker - Holl

Free school visits scheme opens
Thousands of pupils from disadvantaged schools across the North East are being given the chance to visit WWT Washington Wetland Centre for free, thanks to the successful Inspiring Generations fundraising appeal. Head teachers from the hundreds of eligible

Wildlife sightings for 21st September 2012
6 Siskin - entrance area 6 Cetti's Warbler - main lake, sheltered lagoon, reedbed, wildside, reservoir lagoon 11+ Chiffchaff - wildside, sheltered lagoon, south route 2 House Martin - reservoir lagoon Recent bird highlights: Peregrine, Buzzard, Hobby, Red

Todays Sightings
Buff Breasted Sandpiper No Sign yet this morning and was seen only fleetingly Yesterday. A walk will leave from the Holden Tower at 11.00 today for another search. South Lake Water levels low here giving great close up views of Godwits, Dowitcher and Teal

Bird News
Star bird today was a Bittern which flew low over the Mere before landing in the reedbed near Wood End towards the edge of the reserve. 12,000 Pink-footed Geese were present on the reserve early this morning, and have been coming and going throughout the

Yesterdays sightings
Pectoral sandpiper - 3 by the end of the day Black-tailed godwit Ruff Dunlin Ringed plover - 20 Teal - over 300 Shoveler - over 50 Pintail Marsh harrier - 2

Birds Through Irish Eyes – An evocative new publication by acclaimed Belfast writer Anthony McGeehan
Local Belfast writer Anthony McGeehan is set to launch his new book BIRDS Through Irish Eyes at Castle Espie Wetland Centre on Sunday 30 September 2012. Anthony will be speaking about the book, answering questions, and signing copies from 2pm - 5pm. Every

Todays Sightings
Wader Lake/am/High Tide Black Headed Gull - 62 Lesser Black Backed Gull - 3 Common Snipe - 1 Teal - 72 Shoveler - 5 Gadwall - 2 Grey Heron - 5 Saline Lagoon Redshank - 2 Mallard - 14 Black Headed Gull -18 Other Birds River Wear: Grey Heron - 5 Redshank -

Today's sightings
Holden Tower Barnacle Goose 143 Robbie Garnett Hide Wigeon 30 Yellow Wagtail 2 Little Grebe 1 Zeiss Hide Spotted Redshank 1 Red Knot 1 Redshank 20 Black-tailed Godwit 20 Teal 400 Ruff 4 Snipe 50 South Lake Long-billed Dowitcher 1 Black-tailed Godwit 174

Wildlife sightings for 20th September 2012
1 Wigeon - sheltered lagoon 4 Swallow 4 Sand Martin 15+ Chiffchaff - scrape, sheltered lagoon, wildside, entrance 2 Willow Warbler - wildside 1 Yellow Wagtail (19th) - flew over NW Recent bird highlights: Peregrine, Buzzard, Hobby, Red Kite, Common Sandpi

Latest Sightings
Whooper Pond Tufted Duck 12 Oystercatcher 2 Gadwall 1 Shoveler 2 Folly Pond Teal 120 Black-tailed Godwit 10 Shoveler 5 Avenue Tower Pink-footed Goose 200 (heading south) Teak 30 Shoveler 15 Mute Swan 20 Peregrine 1 Corner Field Little Egret 1 Wigeon 10 Te

First Whooper Swans arrived today.
Six Whooper Swans on the Mere this morning signal the first returning birds from their breeding grounds in Iceland. Pretty sure this is the earliest we have had them arrive on the reserve. Generally we wouldn't expect larger numbers to arrive until mid Oc