Blog
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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
First babies of the year bring delight at WWT Slimbridge
The mild winter has led to some early arrivals at a wildlife centre in Gloucestershire. These cute little Harvest mice were only the size of a baked bean when they were born earlier this month at WWT Slimbridge.
24 January 2014
Today's sightings
The Tack Piece Brent Goose 1 Greenland White-fronted Goose 1 (Flew one field north early am) White-fronted Goose 247 (Flew one field north early am) Pintail 80 Bewick's Swan 65 Lapwing 1800 Golden Plover 2200 Little Stint 2 Dunlin 80 The Holden Tower Pere
24 January 2014
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake Time/AM Tide/Mid 95% Frozen Mute Swan - 2 Canada Goose - 7 Greylag - 1 Shelduck - 13 Moorhen - 5 Grey Heron (in trees) - 2 Saline Lagoon 100% Frozen Hawthorn Wood Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 Long-t
24 January 2014
Otter Health Check
This week our family of otters went to the vets for their annual health check, which included an x-ray, blood tests and teeth examination, here’s a summary of how they got on... Thai is too old for the anaesthetic, but was able to have an x-ray through
24 January 2014
Wildlife sightings for 24th January 2014
1 Bittern - main lake N shore (spotted from Peacock tower) 1 Jack Snipe - grazing marsh 2 Shelduck - wader scrape 6 Fieldfare - flew over heading NE 14 Redwing - wildside January bird highlights: Bittern, Peregrine, Woodcock, Jack Snipe, Green Sandpiper,
24 January 2014
Latest Sightings
Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 126 Tufted Duck 80 Wigeon 130 Shoveler 8 Mute Swan 60 Canada Goose 170 Gadwall 2 ♂ Oystercatcher 1 Little Egret 1 (8.30am) Folly Pond Green-winged Teal 1 ♂ Teal 277 Wigeon 26 Shoveler 15 Pintail 2♂ Shelduck 2 Lapwing 122
24 January 2014
Harriers
The male Hen Harrier was seen briefly in the afternoon battling into the wind before being lost to view, also at least 2 Marsh Harriers were on show most of the day. The usual 4+ Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk were seen. A few more waders turning up in th
23 January 2014