Latest sightings
Greenshank
Just a brief summary with Greenshank, new in, from the Ron Barker Hide. Waders reported included Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff. Excellent views of Marsh Harrier hunting round the Mere.
27 July 2013
More Lepo
More lepidoptera action around the reserve with plenty of butterflies to log on the Butterfly Conservation sheet available free at the entrance desk. The survey continues until 11th August. Yesterday the moth trap was packed with just over 100 species inc
24 July 2013
Another scorcher
Another hot one as the wind blew lightly from the SSE. There seem to be the odd shower forecasted over the next few days so always a chance of something new arriving out of the blue. A good raptor day with Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, female Sparr
22 July 2013
True Lover's Knot
A good catch for the moth morning including True Lover's Knot which once imputed into the Mapmate recording software turned out to be a first for the reserve! The recent spell of easterlies has produce local movements of this heath/moorland specialist.
21 July 2013
Latest Sightings
A few butterflies on the wing with Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White, Large Skipper and Peacock with probably a few others not reported. Whimbrel this morning, probably a new bird in. The usual G
20 July 2013
Bird News
More post breeding birds in evidence around the reserve. At least 3 Chiffchaff in a mixed tit flock containing Long-tailed, Coal, Great and Blue Tits along the nature trail. A few more Common Snipe being seen. It's quite likely as some area start to dry u
17 July 2013
Latest Sightings
The first Emerald Damselfly (Common Spreadwing) seen today. Four Common Tern feeding over Woodend Marsh early morning. Today's waders included 2 Green Sandpiper, 6 Ruff, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Avocet and 60+ Lapwing. Raptors included 2+ Common Buzzard,
15 July 2013
Whimbrel
A single Whimbrel seen from the Raines Hide was new in. Generally waders turning up at this time of year will be failed breeders making a leisurely journey south or local post breeding birds ie Lapwing. At least 2 Green Sandpiper seen from the Swan Link a
14 July 2013
Waders
Another very pleasant on the reserve, especially with cooler breeze coming through the hide windows again. If you've never been before, the Reed Bed Walk is good for dragon and damselflies as well as a few butterflies on the wing. It's still the waders ma
13 July 2013
Merlin
The first Merlin of the autumn was seen today a fem/imm bird from Ron Barker along with Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and sev Common Buzzard. Two Avocet still from Ron Barker along with a Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff and 1 Black tailed Godwit. Still at least 2-3 Green Sa
11 July 2013
More of Summer
Another glorious day, very pleasant as the cool breeze comes through the hide windows. Not a huge number of reports today but notable species have included 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Tern all on the Mere. A male Kingfisher put in a
9 July 2013
Greenshank
More signs of wader migration today with a Greenshank putting in a brief appearance from Ron Barker hide this morning and also a massive increase in Black tailed Godwits with 160 present today. At least 1 Green Sandpiper still in front of Hale hide today
8 July 2013
Peregrine
The local Peregrines have changed their diet, on the menu today were Black headed Gull chicks instead of the usual Avocet chicks, a Peregrine was seen to take a chick from Ron Barker hide. Also the female Marsh Harrier was seen today along with the usual
7 July 2013
Med Gulls
A pair of Adult Mediterranean Gulls spent a while on the reserve today, and with the BHG colony getting bigger year on year it can't be long before we have Med Gulls breeding on site.Other sightings today in clude the usual 2 Green Sandpiper from Hale Hid
6 July 2013
Green Sandpipers
At least 2 Green Sandpipers are still on site and showing well in front of Hale hide normally. There are still 8 Avocet on site including 2 chicks, also 2 Redshank and 8 Black tailed Godwit. A Marsh Harrier was also seen today. Nearby a report of a Quail
5 July 2013