Latest sightings
More Pinkfeet arriving
An autumnal feel to the day with grey sky, a bit of a westerly wind and drizzle complete with flocks of newly arriving Pink footed Geese during the morning, hard to know how many were involved, but at least 250 birds in several flocks with the possibility
7 September 2012
Autumn action
The most exciting bird of the last 2 days would have to be the probable Black necked Grebe that was seen briefly yesterday in flight, with another report today of a Grebe that wasn't a Little or Great crested and from the description yesterday everything
6 September 2012
Some Disturbance
Some disturbance today and probably tomorrow as the early autumn vegetation and grass cutting occurs around the reserve. The amount of rain received over summer is making hay cutting out on the marshy reserve fields very difficult. These cuts provide new
4 September 2012
Jay, new for the year.
Autumn wanderers come in all shapes and sizes. Today's Jay seen by the Ron Barker Hide will be a local bird, although Jay do arrive from the continent later in the autumn. Although the reserve has some well developed trees, Jay is an unusual bird on the r
3 September 2012
Garganey (about time..)
Garganey in eclipsed plumage showing well on the Mere 15:30 at least. It, or perhaps another, was seen earlier on from the Ron Barker Hide. The Teal numbers have risen considerably in the past week to over 1000 so this sighting was not unexpected. Twelve
2 September 2012
Northern Wheatear
More signs of autumn passage with a male Northern Wheatear from the Ron Barker Hide this morning. Common Swift moving south. Raptors providing most of the entertainment with 2+ Marsh Harrier, 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Wader
1 September 2012
Arriving Pinkfeet
The first returning Pink footed Geese arrived this morning with a group of 11 just before midday, and a further flock of 6 by 12.45, so the count by the end of the day could well be higher with a good northerly wind aiding the birds arrival. Other sightin
30 August 2012
Bird News
An early heavy rain front moved through to produce some excellent viewing condition. A squally rain front with thunder and lighting came through early afternoon followed by sunshine. Highest count of Common Snipe of the autumn with 140+, Ruff are up to 29
29 August 2012
Good Weather for Ducks...
Pretty much solid rain for the first half of the day, certainly the massed ranks of eclipsed plumaged Mallard and Teal seemed happy enough. A small flock of Shoveler dropped in and a single Tufted Duck appeared out of the gloom. Female Red-crested Pochard
27 August 2012
Raptor Day
First Merlin of the autumn, a juvenile, showed well perched on a five bar gate. Four Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzard, adult and juvenile Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Lots of Common Snipe activity in the rain this morning with at least 60 birds
26 August 2012
Raptors hunting and Waders
Plenty of activity today with waders to the fore. Previous days numbers in brackets(). At least 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 19 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper(2), Greenshank(4), 20+ Common Snipe, 300+ Lapwing. Wood Sandpiper (1). Raptors have incl
25 August 2012
Birds on the move
A fresher day than of late with a brisk West-South-Westerly blowing. A notable influx of hirundines with 200 Swallow, 30+ House Martin feeding low over the reserve. A couple of Common Swift appeared to be moving North, but undoubtedly just moving to feed
22 August 2012
A few birds and a bit of mothing.
We had time to run the moth trap last night and caught 49 species including the migrant Dark Sword-grass. A few more Black-tailed Godwit with 25 birds on the Mere including a few juveniles. Also 8 Ruff with one juvenile present, 20+ Common Snipe, 300+ Lap
21 August 2012
Harriers and Waders
Getting use to the recent onset of summer even with autumn just round the corner. Plenty of activity with at least 4 Marsh Harrier hunting around the reserve and keeping 300+ Lapwing on their toes. At least 4 Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and a couple of Ke
20 August 2012
We are back!
Apologies if you've been missing our regular wildlife updates. We should now be pretty much back to normal, and if you've not been visiting the reserve in the past few days you've been missing a treat. Kingfishers, at least 4 different birds have been unm
15 August 2012