Latest sightings
Mallard ducklings, coot chicks and goslings on the wet grassland
This week has been full of new life across the reserve. A female mallard with an 14 ducklings at Pelican Cove and Coastal Creek Pond on Monday and Tuesday. Another mallard with 7 ducklings seen from Ramsar Hide on Monday. It’s still ve
14 March 2026
Chiffchaffs song announces spring
With temperatures in the teens this week, it definitely feels like spring. The stars so far have been the common toads in our newly desilted entrance ponds. The annual amphibian migration is in full swing, with toads now heading back to th
5 March 2026
Lapwing pairs, oystercatcher and toad
Toads breeding in the ponds, lapwings displaying, our oystercatchers return.
28 February 2026
Pochards, lapwing & common gull
Flocks of 100+ lapwings, pochards practically everywhere and common gulls drop-in.
20 February 2026
Lapwing, cattle egrets & snipe
Across the past week, we have had large numbers of lapwings and cattle egrets and snipe with mid-day appearances of marsh and hen harriers.
12 February 2026
Snipe, kingfishers, teal and lapwing
The first week of February produced a pleasing run of kingfisher sightings across several parts of the reserve. These bright flashes of blue were noted along Waterside Walk, at the Arun Riverlife lagoon, from the Scrape Hide, and even at the Coastal Creek
5 February 2026
Teal, gadwall and snipe
This week had bird numbers on the increase. Teal were especially plentiful on 29 January, with over fifty birds gathered around the Ramsar and Sand Martin hides. A further good number were seen again on 27 January in the same spot. Lapwing were another
31 January 2026
Siskins, kingfisher & goldcrest
Small birds were active around the site with visitors posting shots of kingfishers and siskin.
22 January 2026
Common Cranes and Barn Owls
Common cranes fly over, two barn owls in the Lapwing hide and a pair of peregrines on the hangar this week.
16 January 2026
Secretive Snipe
These camouflaged waders are more numerous than they appear!
8 January 2026
Lots of Lapwings
We had lots of lapwing in this week and a pair of peregrine, too. On New Year’s Day we had around 200 lapwings arrived at 3.30 pm on the deep lagoon between the Ramsar hide and the Sand martin hide. When there is a risk of ice overnigh
3 January 2026
Kingfishers, Firecrests and Bullfinch
Kingfishers were active this week and we had sightings of firecrest and bullfinches - all lovely winter birds. At the Arun Riverlife lagoon this week, sightings included kingfishers on several days, along with shelducks, pochards, teal, gadwall, mallard
18 December 2025
Wildlife Highlights of 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on a year rich with remarkable wildlife moments and conservation successes. From barn owls braving a difficult breeding season to the tireless efforts of our volunteer Toad Patrol, from record gull flocks and thrivin
15 December 2025
Snipe, raptors and egrets
Snipe have been easier to see lately with the fen cuts at the hides complete. The Scrape Hide is hotspot for these shy little waders. Look for snipe at the Ramsar hide, especially around the fen cut to the right of the hide. Kingfishers have been active
11 December 2025
Kingfishers, Hen Harriers & Goosander
The kingfisher has been stealing the show over the past few days, popping up in all corners of the reserve like a little jewel flashing through the reeds. On Saturday 29 November, one was spotted at the Ramsar and Sand Martin hides. The very next day, i
1 December 2025