Latest Sightings
The first Spotted Flycatcher of the year was sighted today at Janet Kear hide, and a Tawny Owl was heard from the path outside.
On the Mere this week, 3 Common Sandpiper were seen, as well as Oystercatchers, families of Greylag Geese, and both Common Terns and Arctic Terns. Nesting Black-Headed Gulls, Mediterranean Gulls, Lesser Black-Backed Gulls and Common Gulls were also observed.
Numerous Swallows, Sand Martins and House Martins can be seen flying around the reserve, as well as Swifts.
1 Cuckoo has been heard calling from the Reedbed Walk. From Harrier Hide, 2 pairs of Great Crested Grebe, 12 Gadwall, 3 Reed Warbler and 2 Pochard were observed. 6 Cattle Egret and 1 Little Grebe were seen from United Utilities hide.
Plenty of wetland specialists were seen this week on Woodend Marsh, including 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 25 Avocets, 2 Redshank, 23 Black-Tailed Godwits, 2 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Temminck's Stint, and 12 Ruff.
A male Ruff was seen engaging in a spectacular display known as 'lekking', a courtship ritual in which he entices a female with his impressive neck plumage.
Other birds seen on Woodend Marsh include; 2 Linnet, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Hobbies and 1 Merlin.
Photograph of a Ruff in breeding plumage.
