Latest sightings
More new species!
It's rocking at the moment with new birds continuing to turn up on a daily basis. Today 2 Curlew Sandpiper were present with Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit on Vinson's Marsh viewed from the Ron Barker Hide. One full breeding plumage, one moulting through.
26 April 2013
First Common Swift of the year
A rain front moving through always provides good conditions for dropping migrants in at this time of year. First Common Swift of the heading south over the reserve in front of the rain which arrived around midday. Highest count of the year for Dunlin with
25 April 2013
New for the Year
The year list is ticking (pun intended) along nicely at the moment with the addition of Jay, seen next to the in focus shop feeders. A very unusual sighting there, although birds are recorded annually in autumn flying over the reserve. Still a 'wagtail fe
24 April 2013
Arctic Tern and Green Sandpiper
Arctic Tern along Boat House Sluice and Green Sandpiper on Woodend Marsh late afternoon both new for the year. At least 4 male Yellow Wagtail, 15+ White Wagtail, a few Pied Wagtail and 2 Wheatear on the reserve today. Over 100 hirundine feeding over the
23 April 2013
Migration
Fairly chilly in a brisk South-Westerly plenty of evidence of migrants still present and new birds arriving. Little Ringed Plover on the Mere, also Common Sandpiper and 5 Curlew dropped in to join 6 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Oyst
22 April 2013
Whinchat and Whimbrel
A little bit of light rain from 12am onwards always perks up some interest with the possibility of something being dropped in. As it happens a male Whinchat appeared 1:20pm on the fence line at the back of the Mere. A cracking bird and barely annual on
21 April 2013
Spotted Flycatcher?
A report of a Spotted Flycatcher early morning sounded good though didn't stick around, this would be 8 days earlier than the first Spot Fly in Lancs in 2011. The first 2 House Martin and first Little ringed Plover of the year were recorded today, still l
20 April 2013
Big Fall
A top quality day with at least 73 species of bird recorded on the reserve. At least 20+ White Wagtail on the reserve an exceptional count. Also Yellow Wagtail with the flock, possibly more than one. The birds are moving around from the back of the Mere,
19 April 2013
More Movement
The continuing southerly airflow is helping migrant birds on their way and bringing more birds in which will summer and breed in the local vicinity. At least 4 White Wagtails today on Woodend Marsh. The immature Spoonbill and Little Egret are sill present
17 April 2013
Blue-headed (type) Wagtail
Bit of late news with a Blue-headed (type) Wagtail briefly at 6:40pm on the Reed Bed Walk with cattle opposite the sewage works before flying off NW. Also on the Reed Bed Walk Male Marsh Harrier and male Wheatear. Plenty of hirundines moving through early
16 April 2013
Yellow Wagtails
New for the year Yellow Wagtails (male and female) from the Ron Barker Hide, possibly another from the Harrier Hide. Quite an influx of wagtails with 10+ Pied, at least one White and a single Grey Wagtail. Wheatear from the Reed Bed Walk. Other movements
15 April 2013
Spoonbill, Crossbills and White Wagtails
Three Crossbill still this afternoon near the Raines Hide. Spoonbill and Little Egret from the UU Hide. Willow Warbler singing near the Janet Kear Hide. Swallows and Sand Martins also again today. Six White Wagtail on Woodend Marsh dropped in to feed then
14 April 2013
Crossbills showing well
A mega species day on the reserve as spring movement gets fully underway. Star birds in reserve rarity terms were the Crossbills with 2 males and 2 females still present this morning near the Raines Hide, showing well in the spring sunshine. These birds r
13 April 2013
Short-eared Owl & Spoonbill
A migrant Short-eared Owl flew high over the In Focus shop at 13.38 before settling in a distant field out on the reserve. Other raptors seen today were Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. The Spoonbill and Little Egret
10 April 2013
Spoonbill again.
Spoonbill showing well this morning, still present this afternoon, active and feeding from the United Utilities Hide. A few wader counts produced 36 Ruff, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Ringed Plover, ~20 Oystercatcher, ~200 Lapwing, Curlew, 10+ Redshank and
9 April 2013