News
Wildlife sightings for 25th February 2016
3 Pintail - main lake, marsh 49 Cormorant - main lake 12 Redwing - entrance area 15 Siskin - south route Additional sightings for yesterday: 3 Bittern - reservoir lagoon, main reedbed 1 Little Egret - end of gull ridge on main lake, amongst Cormora
Today's sightings-winter departures continue
Two cranes foraging. (Archive picture from the Great Crane Project) Another frozen but dry and sunny start to the day. A roundup from a quick hide round this morning follows... Holden Tower Peregrine, 3 GCP Cranes, 30
Reserve update, Thurs Feb 25th
A bright, crisp, frosty morning, with the Whoopers and Mutes dispersed over several areas on the reserve, notably the Flood Ground, where there is less ice. Ducks similarly are concentrated there. Plenty of Barnacle about, largely concentrated on the mer
Breeding bird update
Each year our reserve manager John produces a Breeding Bird Survey Summary, detailing the successes and stories of the key wild bird species that have bred here on site. The 2015 results are now in and highlights include seven nesting avocet pairs, in wha
Bullfinch and other birds
Another cracking day with great light after a sub zero start. Interesting to note that the Avocet moved to the coast briefly before 8 returned late morning probably as a result of the overnight freeze. The cold tends to knock back the wader numbers so onl
Todays Sightings
All of the hides are open the water levels are slowly coming down again so now we have had to close the dragonfly ponds. Wellies recommended to get to Reedbed hide but you can walk around the puddle in walking boots The Welney Wash Road section of the
Wildlife sightings for 24th February 2016
3 Bittern – reservoir lagoon, main reedbed 1 Little Egret – end of gull ridge on main lake, amongst Cormorants 4 Pintail - main lake 76 Lapwing - main lake 3 Snipe – marsh 2 Water Rail - main lake and sheltered lagoon February bird highlights
Today's sightings
Black-tailed Godwit reflected in calm water by Ray Cottrell (Archive Picture) Bewick's Swans 56 left on site this morning-birds seen on the Rushy Pen/Tack Piece and family of four on Top New Piece. Holden Tower E. Whi
Wenesday, Feb 24th
Still cold but with light cloud cover. At least 3500 Barnacles and all the other usual suspects. Apologies in advance for any disturbance to the Whooper Pond and the swan feeds; today is our swan-catch day, fingers and toes crossed for that off the back o
Today's sightings- further bird departures
Three Barnacle Geese in a field by Keith Kirk (Archive Picture) Holden Tower Barnacle Geese 150 Crane 3 GCP Lapwing 40 Little Stint 1 Dunlin 800 in total but scattered and very mobile over high tide Golden Plover 800
Hen Harrier again.
A stunning day warm in the sun but chilly in the hides. Continuing to look good weather wise for the next few days. Early morning at the start of the Reed Bed Walk. An early morning recce along the Reed Bed Walk produ
Wildlife sightings for 23rd February 2016
2 Pintail - main lake 12 Redwing - sheltered lagoon 1 Stonechat - grazing marsh 20 Siskin - sheltered lagoon 1 Peregrine - perched on hospital ledge Lapwings have spread around the reserve this morning and some are starting to show territorial behaviour.
Reserve update Tuesday Feb 23rd
Cold, calm and sunny today so far. The reserve looks pretty much as yesterday. The Peter Scott Trail is good value with its Water Rails, Kingfisher, Tree Sparrows and a couple of Bramblings. 5500 Barnacles along with the usual 160ish Whoopers provide a w
Hen Harrier and Bewick's Swan again
Chilly in the strong breeze but no rain, which we must be thankful for. As suspected a good raptor day with Hen Harrier (ringtail) being the pick of the bunch, flying through distantly around midday. Also 2 Marsh Harrier, a pair of adult Peregrine, 3+ Com
WeBS Count
Today we got up early to start the day with a dawn swan count and then followed it with a WeBS count (Wetland Bird count) which is when we count all the wetland birds on the reserve this survey is done on lots of wetlands all across the UK on the same day