Latest sightings
Hen Harrier again
The cracking male Hen Harrier was again hunting over the fields in the afternoon, before being escorted off the reserve by irate Lapwings. Other raptors included juv Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, sev Common Buzzard and Kestrel. At least 2 Barn Owl were seen, on
16 March 2013
Bird News
A damp start to the day which ended in a spot of spring sunshine. No Sand Martin or Chiffchaff yet.. Lots of breeding activity with 52 Avocet mostly paired up. Mating Ringed Plover on the shingle islands from the Ron Barker Hide. At least 60 Ruff some col
15 March 2013
Warm in the sun..
Warm in the sun, cool in the hides. Plenty of spring-like action with Ringed Plover, Lapwing and Skylark all display flying this morning. Two Med Gull, a breeding plumage adult and a 2nd winter bird associating with Black-headed Gulls. Also present a few
13 March 2013
A Blast of Winter
Any hopes of the first Sand Martin were dashed by the strong ENE wind blowing squally snow showers straight off Siberia! A few Avocet must have changed their minds as the numbers reduced to 40 as the scrapes in front of the Ron Barker Hide froze over. Tod
11 March 2013
Marsh Harrier
The first Marsh Harrier sighting for a few weeks, a female type. Keeping our fingers crossed the last years pair will return again to breed. The WEBS count this morning produced; 995 Whooper Swan, 121 Greylag, 58 Canada, 530 Wigeon, 870 Teal, 285 Pintail,
10 March 2013
Waders dropping in.
A good start to the day with a cracking adult male Hen Harrier which flew onto the reserve at 9.30am and off again around 10am. Although the reserve opens at 9.30, the Reed Bed Walk can be accessed at anytime and the viewing platforms give excellent views
9 March 2013
Redshank arrives.
More signs of spring as a single Redshank turned up on the Mere this morning. Redshank breed on the reserve and as more birds come in it's a great chance to brush up on your wader id skills while good numbers of Ruff (c80 today) are still present. Other w
8 March 2013
Bewick's Swan again.
A Bewick's Swan was seen again on the Mere with Whooper Swans around midday. A breeding plumage Med Gull was again on the Mere with Black-headed Gulls. Now 51 Avocet mostly around the Mere but also from the Ron Barker Hide. Other waders included Dunlin, C
7 March 2013
Roosting Tawny Owl
It's that time of year, just before the trees start sprouting, that Tawny Owls can occasionally be found roosting around the reserve. Today two birds have been seen, one still viewable between the Gladstone and Janet Kear Hides inside the grounds viewable
6 March 2013
Bullfinch
First Bullfinch (male) of the year, a rarity here, seen midday near the Kingfisher Hide. A dawn count of Whooper Swan was down to 1090. Avocet numbers increased to 44. Also present 60 Oystercatcher, 70+ Ruff, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover and ~30
5 March 2013
Arrivals
The southerly component to the airflow paid dividends with the arrival of more Avocet, now 34 birds. Four pairs were seen mating, spring is definitely on it's way! Further mating activity today with our regular pair of Peregrines copulating on the fence p
4 March 2013
A late Bewick's Swan
Surprise bird of the day was a single Bewick's Swan mid afternoon on the Mere with ~ 500 Whooper Swan. It's been the quietest winter on record for this Siberian species with only two other sightings on the reserve in 2013. The adult breeding plumage Medit
3 March 2013
Med Gull and other birds
A frosty sunny start to the day, clouding over later making viewing in the afternoon ideal. An adult breeding plumage Med Gull came in with Black-headed Gull just before 4pm. Recently there has been over 3000 Black-headed Gulls coming into roost so there
2 March 2013
Bird News
Another calm day, cloudy but with great visibility. Still good numbers of Whooper Swan, 1000+ although you've only got a few more weeks before the majority will be on there way back to Iceland. Still 14 Avocet however the weather looks good for the start
1 March 2013
Bird News
Another lovely day to be birding with the only down side being a reduction in visibility resulting from the 'heat haze'. No reports of the Dark-bellied Brent today although the Pink-footed Geese flocks have been absent for most of the day so the bird may
28 February 2013