Latest sightings
Barn Owls
Another good day for Barn Owl watchers with birds showing til 10:30 and from 2pm onwards. The Ron Barker Hide is probably the best spot but birds are also seen from the Harrier Hide, Reed Bed Walk and more distantly from the United Utilities Hide. A Merli
10 February 2013
Green-winged Teal
A calm if slightly murky day. The drake Green-winged Teal on show towards the back right hand side of Vinson's Marsh from the Ron Barker Hide. It occasional sits a on log near there out in the water. Peregrines showing well throughout the day with 3 birds
9 February 2013
Singing in spring
One of those days were Great Tit and Chaffinch, among other species, start warming up their vocal chords in sheltered spots warmed by the sun getting ready for the territorial combats of spring. Green-winged Teal on Vinson's this afternoon on the close ri
8 February 2013
Hunting Peregrines
Three Peregrines active this morning. The adult female caught a female Wigeon and proceeded to pluck it while still fully alive... not for the faint hearted. After she had finished her fill the adult male and young male came into eat. Waders included 800+
7 February 2013
60 species
Far more sensible weather wise today making for excellent visibility and general viewing. At any time it fairly easy to top 30 species in less than half a day on the reserve. Add a bit of knowledge and 40-50+ should be on the cards for a full day. Today 6
6 February 2013
Another Wild One
A viciously cold wind with hail showers made birding on the reserve a challenge today. A Little Egret, probably escaping from the coast, went South over the reserve early on. Two Barn Owl also early in the day. The shelter of the Janet Kear Hide provided
5 February 2013
More waders
Breezy, which didn't make for showy birds today. Many species keep there heads down in these conditions. Any hopes for a Little Gull arriving in from the coast were dashed, maybe tomorrow. Green-winged Teal was present as usual from the Ron Barker Hide. L
4 February 2013
Bird News
A damp cold overcast day. Plenty of birds of course just getting on with it. No specific counts but 1000+ Whooper Swan roosting on the reserve with good numbers present throughout the day. Green-winged Teal on Vinson's Marsh around 12pm. It's regularly se
3 February 2013
Three Bewick's Swan
Chilly today with a North Westerly airflow. There seems to be a few more Pink-footed Geese around as birds start returning from the Norfolk wintering grounds. Only a matter of time before something rarer is found with them. Three adult Bewick's Swan on
2 February 2013
Black-tailed Godwit
Great to see a sizable flock of Black-tailed Godwit coming in from the coast. Around 90 birds spent sometime flying in formation over the Mere before coming into land. Peak numbers here can hit 300+ and the majority, if not all are icelandic birds. Other
1 February 2013
99 Species to the end of January
Great start to 2013 with 99 species of wild bird so far recorded. It's only one off of the record 100 species seen in January 2012. Species number 99 was Corn Bunting seen today but also apparently on the overflow Car Park on Monday. The area around Marti
31 January 2013
New for the year.
First Ringed Plover of the year, three birds roving between, Vinson's and the Mere. Three Oystercatcher, 30+ Ruff and 100+ Lapwing. Most birds were lying low in the windy and occasionally squally conditions. The drake Green-winged Teal again with Eurasian
30 January 2013
Hen Harrier
A male (2nd year) Hen Harrier in today, 3 Peregrine, 4+ Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Lapwing numbers have crept up to 130, 50+ Ruff, Oystercatcher and a single Black-tailed Godwit was new in. Over 3000 Pink-footed Geese, some close, early on w
29 January 2013
Green-winged Teal
Drake Green-winged Teal on Vinson Marsh from the Ron Barker Hide again today. Woodcock by the Janet Kear Hide. A few more Lapwing with around 50 birds this morning and a single Oystercatcher returning from the coast after the cold snap.
28 January 2013
Bittern new for 2013
Bittern seen this morning flying to the back of Vinson's from the Ron Barker Hide. The drake Green-winged Teal was also seen in the same area. The wind has broken up the majority of ice across the reserve already so birds like the Green-winged Teal should
27 January 2013