Latest sightings
We're back!
Apologies, computer gremlins left us unable to update the sightings page over the past few days. I'll do an up to date report at the end of today.
20 August 2013
Swifts on the move.
Still some Common Swift on the move south through the reserve with at least 30 birds moving in front of rain showers. The overcast conditions were also good for viewing Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow. In between the rain imm Marsh Harrier, 4 Common
17 August 2013
Bird News
Another day without a majorly rare wader turning up on the reserve... Nonetheless some good viewing is to be had for those with patience. Raptors are still the stars of the show with at least 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. W
15 August 2013
Marsh Harriers
Some excellent views of Marsh Harrier throughout the day. At least 4 different birds of late. The juveniles present could have come from any spot in the UK and we have had tag evidence of Scottish birds arriving on the reserve in the last 20 years. The ea
14 August 2013
A touch of autumn
A touch of autumn in the air this morning with a brisk WNW wind and a couple of showers early on. Some new birds did drop in including 4 Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plover. Yesterday 2 Greenshank put in an appearance, still at least 2 Green Sandpiper and 48 Black
12 August 2013
Cuckoo still
The juvenile Cuckoo is still around, seen along the perimiter fence by the reedbed walk and from the Harrier Hide, also a Little Egret was again seen from HH hide along with Little Grebe, Wigeon and Gadwall. A Greenshank was a brief visitor to Vinsons poo
10 August 2013
Barn Owls
Four or five Barn Owls hunting on the reserve early this morning. The usual raptors with Marsh Harrier, 3+ Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Some small flocks of Lapwing present C.150, 10+ Common Snipe, 2 Ruff and Green Sandpiper.
7 August 2013
Some Passage
A better day weatherwise and more signs of autumn passage underway. An adult and juvenile Little Gull flew through the reserve. Twelve Common Buzzard went south with another 6 present around the reserve. Also present Marsh Harrier and Kestrel. Good number
6 August 2013
Bird News
Mostly wet this morning so a limited number of reports. Three Marsh Harrier present today, at least 3 Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. Waders included a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 10+ Common Snipe. A juvenile Water Ra
5 August 2013
Little Egret still
The Little Egret is still present from the Harrier Hide, also upto 3 Little Grebe on show from here and 4 Wigeon. At least one Marsh Harrier was on the reserve today along with Sparrowhawk, several Common Buzzard and Kestrel. Three Dunlin were new birds w
3 August 2013
Little Egret
A Little Egret was showing well from the Harrier Hide today. At least one Marsh Harrier was on the reserve along with the usual Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Upto 14 Ruff and 2 Black-tailed Godwit were from Ron Barker hide today along with good
2 August 2013
Hobby
A Hobby was seen over the reserve today along with a male Peregrine, 2 Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard. No sign of the Wood Sandpiper or the Garganey today, but still 14 Ruff, several Black-tailed Godwit and a Green Sandpiper. Two K
1 August 2013
Garganey
An eclipsed drake Garganey seen this morning from the Ron Barker Hide with 100+ Teal. Other wildfowl included 140+ Greylag and 46 Shelduck. A good selection of waders with a new Wood Sandpiper from the Ron Barker Hide, c50 Black-tailed Godwit and 10+ Ruff
31 July 2013
More Lapwing
More Lapwing arriving with 500+ birds present, split between Woodend Marsh and from the Ron Barker Hide. Again 14 Ruff, some Common Snipe, at least one Green Sandpiper, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, yesterday Greenshank again. Greylag Geese are starting to floc
30 July 2013
Wood Sandpiper
A little bit of 'weather' and a few new birds drop in! Wood Sandpiper joins the list of recent waders. More Ruff arriving with 14 birds, 160+ Black-tailed Godwit, a juvenile Redshank today, Green Sandpiper, 5+ Common Snipe and unusually for this time of
29 July 2013