Latest sightings
Waders
A good day for waders with 11 species being recorded on site, the best being a Greenshank, other species were 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, at least 188 Black tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, Oystercat [...]
1 July 2012
Pectoral Sandpiper?
A report of a Pectoral Sandpiper today would be the bird of the day but no further details on the sighting. Other waders today included up to 80 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper and a single Cur [...]
30 June 2012
Bird News
A fairly quiet day today, but an eclipse male Garganey on Vinson's helped towards a decent day's birding for the few who ventured out. A Common Tern was on the Mere this morning, and a flock o [...]
28 June 2012
New for the Reserve
A mild night with just over 60 species in the moth trap including Aleimma loeflingiana, a new species for the reserve. Click on the below link for more info from the excellent UK Moths website. [...]
27 June 2012
Cuckoo
A Cuckoo was heard singing near the Harrier Hide this afternoon. Today's raptors included 3 Marsh Harrier, 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. A male Ruff is the first of the return [...]
25 June 2012
Floods
Bedraggled Marsh Harrier during yesterday's torrential rain. Male and female Marsh Harrier up and about today hopefully feeding young? Other raptors included Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhaw [...]
23 June 2012
Barn Owl
A Barn Owl was hunting until well after 11 am today, on view from both the Harrier and United Utilities hides. A male Wheatear was also seen from the latter hide, and a possible Wood Sandpiper was rep [...]
20 June 2012
Late Migrants?
Unexpected birds always perk things up a bit and a male Common Redstart near the Janet Kear Hide certainly would have been great to see if it had hung around. It was new for the year and it is a less [...]
19 June 2012
Breeding Marsh Harriers
A first for the reserve in the form of breeding Marsh Harrier, a pair have nested this year and currently have 2 chicks and one egg. The birds are best viewed from either Ron Barker or United Ut [...]
16 June 2012
Bird News
Late news from Tuesday night to start today's round-up, when 2 Spotted Crakes were heard calling from the reedbed walk. Today, 2 Green Sandpipers, Peregrine, Barn Owl, and a Common Kingfisher [...]
15 June 2012
Bird News
A distant Red Kite was probably the highlight of the day. 3 Marsh Harriers were seen frequently from most of the hides around the reserve, and a Green Sandpiper spent all day on and around the Mere. [...]
14 June 2012
Bee Orchid
Three new Avocet chicks were out today. Poor weather and Peregrine predation are serious risk factors for these birds. The Peregrine was in action this morning but looking for bigger prey. Six Common [...]
12 June 2012
Barn Owls
We have two pairs of Barn Owl nesting on the reserve at the moment and the picture below is of one pair pretty much full grown young taken just after they had been ringed by our species monitor Kane B [...]
11 June 2012
Sunday sunshine.
It turned out grand today, very pleasant in the sunshine, although on a slightly kiljoy note it's not always ideal for viewing.. A Green Sandpiper in fine summer plumage was perhaps new [...]
10 June 2012
Some Sightings
Barn Owl hunting this morning 10am. A difficult few days for this species which would prefer hunting in calm and dry conditions. Three Marsh Harrier seen today, Peregrine, 2+ Common Buzzard and Sparro [...]
9 June 2012