Latest sightings
Bird News
Another great day's birding, and with great weather to match !! Around the Reedbed Walk a Lesser Whitethroat was today's star bird, although several Reed and Sedge Warblers are singing fairly continuously, along with Common Whitethroats. On the Mere, 2 Li
21 April 2016
Whitethroat and Reed Warbler
Another fine day! No complaints about the visibility honestly.. Two new warbler species for the year with the arrival of Whitethroat and Reed Warbler both along the Reed Bed Walk. Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap all present and singing along the hedg
20 April 2016
Whimbrel new for the year
Glorious spring day with lighter winds and full sunshine. Hot on the heels of the first local Whimbrel seen north of the reserve yesterday, 2 birds were found on Sunley's Marsh mid-morning. Peak time for the Whimbrel passage in Lancashire tends to be in t
19 April 2016
Little Gull
A strong North Westerly for most of the day making it feel cold. Any promised showers failed to materialise so no obvious new waders in today. A moulting adult Little Gull was found late afternoon with Black-headed Gulls from the Ron Barker Hide. Common G
18 April 2016
Latest Sightings
A frosty calm and sunny start to the day before the chilled wind got up! Not a huge number of reports today, no new species for the year but tomorrows forecast looks interesting and may bring a few waders in so watch this space! Cetti's Warbler showed wel
17 April 2016
Little Gull
Chilly but fine in the sun. The blast of arctic air may be putting off the arrival of Reed Warblers and Whitethroats but a mostly winter plumage adult Little Gull was new for the year out on Woodend Marsh this morning. Also new in a cracking full adult ma
16 April 2016
Grasshopper Warbler
New for the year a reeling Grasshopper Warbler towards the end of the Reed Bed Walk. A few pair probably breed on the reserve but once they stop reeling it can be a difficult species to locate. More warbler news with the first sighting of Cetti's Warbler
15 April 2016
Sedge Warbler
Glorious day after the early frost and mist disappeared. The first Sedge Warbler was in song on the Reed Bed Walk. Not the earliest we've had here in recent years or the latest. Plenty of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap in song around the reserve.
13 April 2016
Arrivals
Overnight rain and some murky conditions boded well for some new arrivals and we were not disappointed! The first House Martins appeared with numbers of Sand Martin (100+) and a few Swallow. On the wader front both Green and Common Sandpiper were new in.
12 April 2016
Siberian Chiffchaff
A Siberian Chiffchaff was singing and calling this morning along the hedgerow opposite the Sewage Works at the end of the Reed Bed Walk. Access from the coach car park and follow the perimeter fence. The first part of the trail is muddy and it's worth not
11 April 2016
Latest Sightings
A frosty start but with light winds and sunshine altogether very pleasant. Unpredictable regarding the arrival of more summer migrants as the winds are coming from the east. In autumn this would be exciting but in spring a south-westerly airflow and rain
10 April 2016
Little Ringed Plover
The first Little Ringed Plover of the year a presumed pair flew onto the back of the Mere early afternoon a week earlier that 2015. The first arrivals of this species in Lancashire is on average on the 19th March. An obvious arrival of Blackcap with birds
9 April 2016
Latest Sightings
Less windy than of late although still on the cool side the forecast looks good for the weekend. Yesterday's Great-crested Grebe has been joined by another and they have been engaging in some display in front of the Harrier Hide so watch this space!
8 April 2016
Great-crested Grebe
A Great-crested Grebe in front of the Harrier Hide was new for the year. The deeper water in that area has been attracting this species in the past few years. It is also good for Little Grebe, Pochard and Tufted Duck. Dist
7 April 2016
Avocet Count
Windy with heavy showers early on and feeling cold. It's that time of year when you tend to feel sorry for the Sand Martins and Swallows that are now being seen daily on the reserve. An excellent Avocet count again with 86 birds on the reserve. Other wade
6 April 2016