Latest sightings
Pink-foot Spectacle
Great birding and a great spectacle at the moment as the Pink-footed Geese influx continues. No concerted counts but undoubtedly 20,000+ birds in the area. At least one Barnacle Goose again and a few partial leucistic birds present among the flock (see be
27 September 2014
Pink-footed Goose count hits 21,500
Biggest count of the year so far with 21,500 Pink-footed Geese roosting on the reserve last night. Impressive numbers from the off this morning with 10,000+ present with lots of birds coming and going throughout the day. Definitely new skeins coming in fr
25 September 2014
15,000 + Pinks
The dawn count this morning produced just over 15,000 Pink-footed Geese and a single Barnacle Goose. Yesterday's big counts of 10,000+ were also from a seasoned observer and correct! The birds are moving around so if you are lucky you'll catch some big
24 September 2014
Autumn fare.
The current activity is all Pink-footed Goose based with perhaps as many as 6000 birds on the reserve mid afternoon, although some estimate up to twice that number. There maybe more in the local area however it can be difficult to judge with birds coming
23 September 2014
Pink-foot Influx
A couple of days ago we pondered the possibility that the weather patterns over Iceland might encourage some Pink-footed Goose migration, well it did! An early morning count produced c700 birds but by midday over 5000 had arrived with the majority coming
21 September 2014
Little Stints
A couple of new Little Stint in this morning on Sunley's Marsh viewed from the Ron Barker Hide. Around 600 Pink-footed Geese by late afternoon, perhaps flushed from the Ribble Estuary by the Air Show. Four Marsh Harrier including at least one wing-tagged
20 September 2014
Latest Sightings
A misty start, calm with light variable winds and some high cloud cover later in the day. There appears to have been a reduction in waders present on site with no reports of any Curlew Sandpiper or Little Stint today, although Little Stint was present yes
19 September 2014
Yellowhammers and Stoat
Even though Yellowhammers are present in the local area they are rarely seen on the reserve, so 3 birds in the Windmill field seen from Ron Barker Hide were very noteworthy. Grey Wagtails can be seen and heard most days on the reserve at the moment along
17 September 2014
Greenshank
The Little Stint and 3 Curlew Sandpipers were still present today along with a single Dunlin, early evening 2 juvenile Greenshank appeared on the Mere and 54 Ruff were counted this evening. One of the two Greenshank on the
15 September 2014
Curlew Sandpipers
The Curlew Sandpipers are still present fluctuating over the last few days between 5 and 7 birds, 7 were again seen this afternoon. The Little Stint was accompanying a single Dunlin and several Black tailed godwits on Vinson's most of the day.
14 September 2014
Hobby
A good day for birds of prey, the elusive Hobby was seen again, also at least 5 Marsh Harriers including another wing tagged bird, with green tags on each wing and this time from Norfolk! Lots of sightings of Sparrowhawk with 3-4 birds probably involved a
13 September 2014
Waders and Geese
The Pectoral Sandpiper from yesterday was seen again today on Vinson's from Ron barker Hide, also now 7 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint, 2 Dunlin, 7 Golden Plover, 600+ Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, several Black tailed Godwit, 30+ Common Snipe and 71
12 September 2014
Pectoral Sandpiper
Another good day on site with a new bird for the reserve year list, when a Pectoral Sandpiper was found this evening from Ron Barker Hide, hopefully it will stick around over the next few days. Other sightings included 5 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint,
11 September 2014
Great White Egret
A Great White Egret was seen mid afternoon from the Ron Barker Hide and then flew towards Woodend Marsh. Worth noting if you see anything interesting like this pop into the in focus shop or phone on 01704 897020 and we can disseminate the news to all conc
10 September 2014
Creeping Upwards
A few more Pink-footed Geese arriving with 470 birds recorded early afternoon. Pink-footed Geese on Vinson's Marsh (Andy Bunting) A high count of 790 Greylag Geese. These feral birds flock with the same instincts as wild birds although it is thought wild
9 September 2014