Latest sightings
Willow Tit
Cold but virtually windless making for good viewing. Bird of the day was a sighting of Willow Tit from the Janet Kear Hide. It's the second sighting of the year which is unusual as birds once arrived tend to be seen regularly until they disappear. Hopeful
2 February 2015
Two Tawny Owl
Some great views of Tawny Owls again before the Kingfisher Hide in an ivy covered tree to the right of the path. Raptors included 7 Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier 2 Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. A Redshank joined the usual waders. Two Roe Deer seen from the Ron
31 January 2015
Latest Sightings
Another pleasant start to the day, clear with light winds which progressively got stronger throughout the day. Good for raptors with 8 Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Yesterday 2 Merlin hunting a presumed Meadow Pipi
30 January 2015
1720 Whooper Swan
Highest count of the winter so far of Whooper Swan with 1720 birds on the reserve this morning. No snow so far. It is unusual for us to get any lying snow in this area. Both Ross's and Bar-headed Goose hanging around with Mallard and Greylag respectively.
29 January 2015
Bird News
A wild and windy day with plenty of squally wintery showers and few reports. Oystercatcher numbers are building slowly, with at least 11 around the mere today along with 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 50+ Ruff. The juv male Peregrine has been seen along with
29 January 2015
Jam Packed
Slightly milder today, over 1000 Whooper Swan on the reserve with some new birds recently arrived with orange peat stained heads. Regular numbers of Pink-footed Geese coming in to feed on Top Mere. Big numbers of Teal, Wigeon and Shelduck around the reser
25 January 2015
Latest Sightings
A frosty but sunny start then murky until the sun broke through early afternoon. Some mixed flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing off the Reedbed Walk this morning. Gadwall on pools towards the back of the Reed Bed. An unconfirmed report of Brambling from the J
22 January 2015
Golden Plover
Seven Golden Plover new for the year with Lapwing at the back of the Mere late afternoon. These birds have probably been displaced by recent snow up on the Pennines. When the reserve opened in the mid 1970's large flocks of Golden Plover were regular in t
21 January 2015
Tawny Owls
Another calm day making for excellent viewing. Two Tawny Owl were showing on the Nature Trail before the Kingfisher Hide. A few Common Buzzard display flying today a sure sign that spring is round the corner. Kestrel and Sparrowhawk present and Peregrines
20 January 2015
Whooper Swan count
Highest count of the winter of Whooper Swan with 1500 recorded this morning. Also the highest count of Pink-footed Geese for over a month with 9000 birds. Two Water Rail from the Harrier Hide one showing on the closest bank. Grey Wagtail perhaps new for t
18 January 2015
Pink-feet
A few wintery showers passing through today. The next few days look like they'll be excellent for some calm winter birding. Lots of Pink-footed Geese activity on the reserve indicating further influxes from their Norfolk wintering stronghold. Five species
17 January 2015
Latest Sightings
A few bits and pieces around the reserve. Cetti's Warbler again calling opposite the first viewing platform on the Reedbed Walk, also Water Rails calling here. Both Fieldfare and Redwing around today. Two Treecreeper in a mixed tit flock along the Nature
16 January 2015
Woodcock
Woodcock early on from the Janet Kear Hide in vegetation beyond the back of the pool. A couple of other new additions to the year list with 2 Mistle Thrush feeding near mole hills in the overflow car park and 3 Red-legged Partridge from the Ron Barker Hid
15 January 2015
Latest Sightings
Brief news today with 8 Barnacle Geese with Pink-footed Geese late afternoon. As usual Marsh Harrier hunting around the reserve, 4+ Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Waders included 1000+ Lapwing, 70+ Ruff, 25 Black-tailed Godwit.
14 January 2015
Barnacle Geese
An interesting sight this morning with the arrival and departure of ~20 Barnacle Geese. Given recent poor weather in Scotland it's not impossible that these could be wild birds, but the possibility of feral ones can't be ruled out although they did look '
13 January 2015