Latest sightings
Temminck's Stint
Missing last year, today Temminck's Stint makes a welcome return to the year list. Temminck's Stint was last recorded on the reserve in 2013 on the 17th May! The bird is currently (16:00) being seen from the Ron Barker Hide. More additions to the year lis
17 May 2015
Garganey
Drake Garganey on Woodend Marsh this morning viewed from the United Utilities Hide. Also there the 1st summer Little Gull and 2 Common Tern. The first Oystercatcher chicks also on Woodend and some newly hatched Avocet chicks too. At least 13 Ringed Plover
16 May 2015
Common Tern
A very pleasant day with the wind dropping although the visibility tends to be much poorer for distance viewing! The first Common Tern of the year a pair(?) in the morning on Woodend Marsh. The 1st summer Little Gull was present there too.
13 May 2015
Latest Sightings
At least 10 Wheatear in the ploughed field beyond Woodend Marsh in what appears to be yet another influx of this species. An immature Marsh Harrier on Woodend Marsh this morning was new in. A Corn Bunting was singing in front of the Ron Barker Hide this m
12 May 2015
Latest Sightings
A brief up-date. The Little Gull is still present on the reserve generally from the United Utilities Hide although it has been seen in front of the Harrier Hide and on the Mere. Two Med Gull (ad + imm) again today. Two Whimbrel on the Mere late afternoon.
11 May 2015
First Avocet chicks
Avocet with 4 recently hatched chicks First Avocet chicks of the year distantly on Woodend Marsh viewed from the United Utilities Hide. Can the parents defend them against myriad of potential predators?
10 May 2015
Wader-fest
Some obvious migrant waders dropping in today with 16 Ringed Plover on the Mere around midday. A few Dunlin present with these birds and 2 Common Sandpiper. Previously a flock of 13 Dunlin zipped through the reserve, perhaps landing on Sunley's Marsh. Thr
9 May 2015
Little Gull
Wet and wild condition today. A immature Little Gull was present on the Mere early on. A Yellow Wagtail flew south over the Mere mid morning. Eleven Whimbrel from the Ron Barker Hide late afternoon. Just up the road towards Burscough a pair of Grey Partri
6 May 2015
Garganey
As we go into May there is a real sense of excitement as migration is in full flow. Today looked interesting with fronts moving through and occasional rain showers. While cloud cover was present the visibility was some of the best we've had on the reserve
5 May 2015
Cuckoo
The first Cuckoo of the year heard and seen near the Kingfisher Hide early afternoon. This sighting was two weeks earlier than last year although the mean early date in Lancashire is the 16th April. More Whimbrel with a flock of 14. Three Little Ringed Pl
4 May 2015
Latest Sightings
A damp start with south easterlies half promised a Black Tern or two but they didn't materialise. Some new birds were seen including a smart male Yellow Wagtail briefly on the Mere mid afternoon. Still a few Wheatear on the outer edge of the reserve. Med
3 May 2015
Latest Sightings
Raw easterlies and occasional rain made the beginning of May seem more like March. A flock of 14 Whimbrel didn't hang around and headed North off the reserve early afternoon. Breeding plumage Ruff are present along with a fair number of siting Avocet. Bot
2 May 2015
Whimbrel
A Whimbrel was on the Mere for a while this morning, also at least 16+ Dunlin on site today, 6 Little Ringed Plover, several Black-tailed Godwit and 8 Ruff (2 male + 6 fem) At least 1 Med Gull on the Mere. 3 Wheatear out in ploughed fields on the edge of
30 April 2015
Arctic Tern
An Arctic Tern flew South West early on viewed from the Reedbed Walk, probably thinking twice about heading North into the arctic air mass which made it's presence felt today. A first summer Little Gull was on the Mere with Black-headed Gull briefly (seve
28 April 2015
Whinchat
A very frosty start to the day but blues skies until the afternoon. Whinchat on the outer edge of the reserve in newly ploughed fields parallel to the railway line was new for the year. Also there 6 Wheatear. Three reeling Grasshopper Warbler on the reser
27 April 2015