Latest sightings
Anytime now
Another showery day. Perfect condition for producing migrant waders on the reserve. Anytime now something rare could drop in... Today's addition was another Sanderling with 10 Dunlin from the Ron Barker Hide early afternoon. Other waders included 2 Common
10 May 2014
Waders drop in
The first day for a while with some 'proper weather', 20mph WSW winds and the odd squally shower moving through. Classic conditions at this time of year to drop in some waders. Certainly the biggest count of the year of Dunlin with 33 birds by late aftern
7 May 2014
May Birds
What follows is a selected review of birds so far recorded on the reserve since the end of April. Wader passage turned up two new species for the year with Sanderling on the 1st of May followed by Greenshank on the 5th. Other waders in this period include
6 May 2014
Bird News
More waders again with 3 Little Ringed Plover on the Mere. A few breeding plumage Ruff scattered across the reserve. Four Whimbrel from the Ron Barker Hide this morning. Also 100+ Lapwing (many with chicks), 6+ Redshank, 20+ Avocet, 2 Ringed Plover, 6+ Oy
30 April 2014
Yellow Wagtail
A glorious day with light winds and pleasant sunshine for most of the day. Yellow Wagtail again flying from the back of the Mere towards Woodend Marsh. Fourteen Whimbrel from the Ron Barker Hide and over 800 counted in Lancashire yesterday evening. Two Li
29 April 2014
More Whimbrel
A brief update. Four Whimbrel from the Ron Barker Hide, also Curlew. Little Ringed Plover and 2 Ringed Plover on the Mere. White Wagtail back of the Mere briefly mid morning. Adult Med Gull with Black-headed Gull late afternoon.
28 April 2014
Steady as she goes.
Plenty of promise today with a combination of an early rain front, south-easterlies and of course just being the end of April. As usual it hasn't, so far, materialised anything that rare or unusual. One theory at least says winds with a westerly element a
26 April 2014
Whimbrel
Classic time for Whimbrel moving through the North West, with two birds new in today from the Ron Barker Hide. Other waders present include 100+ Lapwing a few with newly hatched chicks. At least 30 Avocet, 8 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 6 Ruff, Ringed Plover, Oyst
24 April 2014
More migrants
A few new migrants around today, the best of which was a male Redstart by the feeding station at Janet Kear Hide. A Common Tern was around the Mere most of the morning and at least 1 Grasshopper Warbler is still singing along the Reedbed walk along with R
23 April 2014
Migrants
Plenty of summer migrants to be seen on site at the moment, 2 Grasshopper Warbler can be seen and heard along the reedbed walk along with Reed and Sedge Warbler. Other warblers include Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. A slow trickle o
22 April 2014
French Gull
The Little Gull is still present along with 2 Mediterranean Gull (2nd sum bird bearing a French darvic ring and a 1st sum bird briefly). Waders present today were Dunlin, c20 Ruff, 16 Curlew, Little ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Lapwing, Oysterc
21 April 2014
Little Gull
A good day for Gulls on the Mere with 7 species being present, the best of which were an Adult or 3rd Summer Little Gull and upto 3 Mediterranean Gulls (pair of adults & 1st summer). The Little Gull has been displaying to Black headed Gulls and pickin
20 April 2014
Little Gull again
The Little Gull is still present and at times calling vociferously and displaying around the Mere. Two Common Sandpiper around the Mere all day and at least 1 Little ringed Plover. Lots of Avocets, Oystercatcher, Lapwing and Redshank around the reserve al
19 April 2014
More Birds
Another good wader day with 115 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 110+ Lapwing, 28 Avocet, 21 Ruff inc breeding plumage male, 23 Oystercatcher, 13 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plover and yesterday a report of Common Sandpiper which was new for t
16 April 2014
Whimbrel new for the year.
Top spring day weather wise loads of butterflies on the wing, plenty of breeding birds in song around the reserve too. First Whimbrel of the year with c.70 Curlew from the Ron Barker Hide this morning. Other waders included Little Ringed Plover, 22 Ruff i
15 April 2014