Latest Sightings

Over 50 House Martins and around 10 Sand Martins created a fantastic spectacle at the weekend. They were loving the much-needed rain and were witnessed in a feeding frenzy, soaring around above the Visitor Car Park and catching flying insects.

In other sightings, the Bittern was seen again flying over Woodend Marsh towards the Reedbed Walk on Friday and Saturday.

Also on Friday, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker was observed at Janet Kear hide, 2 Marsh Harriers were seen at Ron Barker hide, and 1 Blackcap was seen on the nature trail. 1 Stonechat and 1 Sedge Warbler were sighted from Gordon Taylor hide.

On Saturday, 2 Pied Wagtails were seen from Hale hide, 2 Ringed Plover and 3 Wigeon were seen from Discovery hide, and 1 Buzzard was seen from Rees hide. 1 Goldcrest and 1 Cetti's Warbler were observed from Mere View hide.

1 Kestrel was spotted hovering over the Mere on Sunday.

Some Swallows can be seen flying around above the Café Lake today. There are also plenty of ducklings and goslings to be seen around the Reserve and Captive Collection.

This morning, the Reserve team carried out the monthly Wetland Bird Survey. The results are below.

WeBs Count:

Gadwall	30
Teal	1
Mallard	466
Shoveler	6
Pochard	2
Tufted Duck	18
Mute Swan	2
Whooper Swan	4
Shelduck	71
Greylag Goose	23
Canada Goose	131
Dunlin	1
Moorhen	72
Coot	33
Lapwing	34
Black-Tailed Godwit	4
Oystercatcher	2
Avocet	30
Little Ringed Plover	2
Barnacle Goose	1
Little Grebe	1
Great Crested Grebe	4
Cormorant	3
Bittern	1
Grey Heron	3
Little Egret	2
Cattle Egret	9
Black-Headed Gull	447
Lesser Black-Backed Gull	1
Herring Gull	1
Common Tern	2
Redshank	1
Ringed Plover	4
Ruff	2
Mediterranean Gulls	2

Photograph of a Sand Martin.

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