Latest sightings
Hen Harrier again
The male Hen Harrier was seen again this afternoon, it showed well from the appropriately named Harrier Hide, also at least 1 Marsh Harrier in the area and 2 adult Peregrine. At least 80 Ruff and 1500 Lapwing on the reserve and upto 2000 Pink footed Geese
30 December 2013
Hen Harrier
Some news from recent days as well as todays sightings: 25th: A group of 4 Bewick's Swans were seen by staff before departing, these are the first sightings of Bewick's this winter, hopefully they will be seen again soon. 26th: Barn Owl and Tawny Owl were
28 December 2013
Merry Xmas!
Merry Xmas to all our readers and a bird filled New Year!! A single Barnacle Goose was with c300 Pink footed Geese using the reserve today. The usual immature male Marsh Harrier was seen again but only the adult male Peregrine and upto 4 Common Buzzard. T
24 December 2013
Ravens
The pair of Ravens are still to be seen on site, also our resident family of Peregrines (2ad,1juv) were in action today killing a Stock Dove. At least 1 Marsh Harrier (imm male) was seen along with a few Common Buzzard. The male Stonechat is still from R
21 December 2013
Goldeneye
All 3 Peregrines (2 ad & juv male) performed well today, with all 3 spending most of the morning sat on fenceposts at the back of the Mere. At least 1 Marsh Harrier was seen along with the usual Common Buzzards and Sparrowhawk. The 1000+ Whooper Swans
17 December 2013
Stonechats
A pair of Stonechats can be seen from Ron Barker hide at the moment, often fairly close around the pool to right of hide, also a Barn Owl was out hunting around the pump house field early afternoon. Good numbers of Cormorants around the Mere with at least
16 December 2013
Med Gull and other birds.
Another bird packed day on and just off the reserve. Over 1000 Whooper Swan present with another 13+ species of wildfowl around the reserve. Over 1000 Lapwing present, 60+ Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit. An adult winter plumage Med Gull was on the Mere with
15 December 2013
Whooper Swans
A wild and windy day with few reports, a female Stonechat was seen distantly out in the fields. The usual 3 Peregrine were about but seen mostly in flight today along with 2-3 Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. c1000 Whooper Swan including a rare yellow le
14 December 2013
Barn Owl
A misty start to the day followed by the sun breaking through with a chilly SE wind blowing. Good numbers (1000+) of Whooper Swan on the reserve throughout the day, with many feeding on the waste potatoes on Top Mere. No recent counts to mention but Wigeo
11 December 2013
Raptors
Upto 2 Marsh Harriers were on the reserve today along with the family of Peregrines (2 adults 1 juv male) showing well along with Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard. The Little Egret is still around and briefly visited the Mere late afternoon. A male Stonec
9 December 2013
Little Egret again
The Little Egret was still present, seen in flight over the Mere. Only the juvenile male Peregrine was seen today along with Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Kestrel. A few thousand Pink footed Geese dropped onto the mere at dusk to roost and there are still c120
8 December 2013
Little Egret
A Little Egret was a new bird on site today, still a good bird on site with only a few records a year. The Tawny Owl is still present along the track to UU hide but no reports of the Woodcock today. A Dunlin was with c80 Ruff on the Mere this evening alon
6 December 2013
Bird News
Another calm day, although thursday looks good for blowing in a Baikal Teal.. A few waders new in with Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit joining 50+ Ruff and 800+ Lapwing. Merlin was pick of the raptors, also 3 Peregrine, 2 Common Bu
3 December 2013
Merlin
A packed Mere this morning in almost windless conditions. A Merlin was seen from the Ron Barker Hide this morning. The family party of 3 Peregrine (adult pair and juv male) showed well as usual, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzard and Kestrel. The Tawny Owl s
2 December 2013
Bird News
Tawny Owl twitchers were not disappointed as the bird showed well today between the Janet Kear and United Utilities Hides in the first tree after the Holly (on the left) over the path. An adult winter Med Gull was on the Mere with Black-headed Gulls mid-a
1 December 2013