Latest sightings
Lastest Sightings
A couple of frosty starts recently and a wintery shower today and you know it's time to dig out those thermals if you intend to spend anytime out in the hides. Good Whooper Swan numbers, always a spectacular sight, over 1000 birds present. Small numbers o
5 December 2014
Local Bewick's Swan
We received today the first sighting of the autumn of a single Bewick's Swan at Hundred End, on the Ribble with Whoopers. Interesting to see how many will turn up this winter and if any will visit the reserve? A chilly but clear day and another forecasted
2 December 2014
Peregrines
2 Peregrines were seen several times around the reserve today, normally very obvious this time of year they have been scarce this autumn and not seen as often as normal. The usual Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were all seen today. Large numbers
30 November 2014
Recent sightings
A round up of sightings in recent days include a probable Jack Snipe flushed from the edge of Langleys brook viewed from Ron Barker Hide, also 15+ Common Snipe around the reserve. At least 6 Black tailed Godwit in recent days and a single Dunlin today and
29 November 2014
Ringing
Some ringing occurred over the birdfair weekend with totals caught; 25 Blue Tit, 14 Great Tit, 3 Coal Tit, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 7 Tree Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, 24 Greenfinch, 11 Goldfinch a
25 November 2014
Goosander
The highlight of the day was a fem/imm Goosander briefly late morning on the Mere before flying off towards Harrier Hide, this is the first record of this species this year. Other sightings included at least 1 Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and sever
24 November 2014
Latest Sightings
Some excitement early afternoon with a report of a drake American Wigeon. The bird disappeared for an hour and when it was relocated a close inspection revealed it was a hybrid. Easily done and one of the potential pitfalls that occurs especially with wil
20 November 2014
Latest Sightings
A delayed up date on what's around on the reserve. A count of Pink-footed Geese over the weekend produced just over 9000 birds and a total of nearly 42000 in Lancashire as a whole. The Whooper Swan numbers decreased slightly to 957 with some birds moving
18 November 2014
Snow Goose
The Lesser Snow Goose (white morph) which has been roaming the area with Pink-footed Geese for the last week put in an appearance when it flew North over the reserve early afternoon. The bird was seen out on the Ribble with Pink's yesterday so hopefully w
15 November 2014
Green-winged Teal
A drake Green-winged Teal was found from Ron Barker Hide today, so hopefully it will stick around for all to see this North American version of our Teal, now afforded full species status after spending many years as a sub-species.
13 November 2014
Latest Sightings
Plenty of activity throughout the reserve with most wildfowl counts on the increase. No specific data as such but the wardens are working on that. Everything bar Pink-footed Geese will be increasing in number, especially with the onset of colder condition
11 November 2014
Water Rail
The Water Rail is still showing from the Ron Barker Hide along with 1-2 Kingfisher. Still good numbers of raptors on site with 8+ Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, Kestrel Sparrowhawk and Peregrine. Sunset over the Mere at
9 November 2014
Recent Sightings
The 5 Avocet were still present yesterday but no sign today, but a single Dunlin was present. Still good numbers of Ruff with at least 50 being counted today. Good numbers of Pink-footed Geese still in the area with up to 17,000 roosting on the Mere overn
8 November 2014
Latest Sightings
A chillier feel today with a few showers moving through. Five Avocet today are late migrants. It would be interesting to know where these birds have come in from? Other waders include 30+ Ruff, 800+ Lapwing 10+ Common Snipe and a probable Dunlin. Yesterd
6 November 2014
Six species of Raptor
A good raptor day, free from rain bright and sunny for most of the day. A Merlin was pick of the bunch with 2 Peregrine, 6+ Common Buzzard, 2+ Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. The wildfowl numbers are continuing to build although we have had no r
4 November 2014