Latest Sightings
"More of the same" sums up the last few days. Waders are still one of the main highlights at the moment, with Green Sandpipers, Ruff, Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits, and Oystercatchers still on view, mostly from the United Utilities hide. On the Mere, both Little and Great Crested Grebes are present and there are also a lot of chicks showing - Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull and Common Tern all have chicks at the "cute and fluffy" stage with older fledged chicks also on the Mere from most of these species plus a couple of young Avocets today.
There have been two Marsh Harriers around the reserve, lots of Common Buzzards, and at least 2 Barn Owls which are currently hunting well in to the day, presumably with chicks of their own to feed.
Around the grounds 2 Little Egrets, several Grey Herons, and a few Kingfisher sighting recently.
WEBS counts earlier this week included 695 Mallard, 43 Gadwall, 19 Teal, 6 Shoveller, 41 Shelduck, 149 Moorhen, 113 Coot, 137 Lapwing, and 109 Black-tailed Godwits.
