Latest Sightings
This week, the reserve team carried out another Breeding Bird Survey. Over 400 Black-Headed Gull nests were counted on the Mere islands. Some families are already visible from the Discovery hide, including Shelduck, Mallard and Greylag Geese.
Other broods can be seen from Harrier hide, where a pair of Great Crested Grebe are nesting. Little Grebe, Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard and 1 Mute Swan can also be sighted here. The Cuckoo was heard performing a mating call from the Reedbed Walk.
Over on Woodend Marsh, Avocets and Lapwings can be seen protecting their chicks. A juvenile Spoonbill landed here on Tuesday morning, seen along with 150 Black-Tailed Godwits. The Bittern was observed flying over in search of food. Today, 2 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover and 1 Grey Heron were sighted. From Rees hide, 1 Stonechat, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers and 3 Reed Bunting were seen.
Birds of prey found on site recently include 1 Hobby, 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Tawny Owl and 2 Marsh Harriers. The best place to see these birds is United Utilities hide, or Ron Barker hide where Cattle Egret and the Kingfisher are also regularly seen.
On the nature trails, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Grey Wagtail and 1 Pied Wagtail were spotted.
1 Arctic Tern was spotted on Tuesday and 4 Common Tern were seen today on the Mere. Also observed were 3 Wigeon, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Ruff and 1 Little Egret. Numerous Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows have been sighted throughout the week.
A Cetti's Warbler was heard close to Discovery hide and another was seen from Mere View hide.
Photograph of a Hobby.
