Latest sightings
Bird News
A compilation of recent sightings in what has been a windy few days. Two Barn Owl out and about today from ~2pm viewed from the Ron Barker Hide. One bird was harassed by a Marsh Harrier which was harassed by an immature Peregrine while a Sparrowhawk looke
12 January 2015
Marsh Harriers
A very quiet day on site with few reports, 2 Marsh Harrier were seen along with several Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. At least 1 Little Egret was on the reserve today, also 20+ Redwing and 10+ Fieldfare. Lots of Lapwing with at least 1500 and 5
9 January 2015
Willow Tit
A Willow or Marsh Tit was seen near the Ron Barker hide this morning, almost certainly a Willow Tit on local distribution and recent records. Up to 3 Little Egrets were seen around the site today. Dawn counts this morning revealed a total of 1370 Whooper
8 January 2015
Latest Sightings
A damp start followed by sunny and clear conditions. Raptors again included Merlin, Peregrine, 4+ Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. A single Dunlin was new in joining 60+ Ruff, 2 Redshank, 8 Black-tailed Godwit and 800+ Lapwing. Plenty of Pintail
6 January 2015
Merlin and other birds
A very pleasant day feeling warm in the sun and good visibility. A few new birds for the year with Merlin out beyond Plover Field mid morning, a couple of Redpoll presumably Lesser near the Kingfisher Hide and Woodcock in flight between the UU and Janet K
5 January 2015
Latest Sightings
A belated Happy New Year to you all! Always good to start the new year again with a clean slate. Last year we recorded 146 species of wild birds on the reserve, approximately 12 species down on recent averages. Highlights included Siberian Chiffchaff (a
4 January 2015
Recent Sightings
With the cold frosty weather over the last few days have seen some fabulous sights with some stunning light, and great sunsets! New birds have appeared as well, a noticeable influx of Black-tailed Godwit, with around 300 birds present over the last few da
30 December 2014
Bewick's Swan
Best bird of the day was a single Bewick's Swan picked out on the mud with the Whoopers at 3.15pm, a different bird from last years single on the pattern of it's bill, last years bird being a more rounded yellow patch, whereas todays bird has an irregular
27 December 2014
Merry Xmas !!
A much better day weather wise, although quite cold with the strong wind, the light was stunning at times. Lots of Whooper Swans around the Mere today, with at least 800, the juvenile male Peregrine caught a Lapwing this afternoon and then had to fend off
24 December 2014
Recent sightings
A few more raptors being seen of late than in recent weeks, best of the bunch was a ringtail Hen Harrier (female or immature) which was seen just to the north of the reserve today, which could well have been the satellite tracked bird that was recorded ju
22 December 2014
Latest Sightings
A brief update with this mornings roost counts producing 1220+ Whooper Swan and 5120+ Pink-footed Geese. Raptors included 6+ Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 2+ Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel and probable (but unseen) Peregrine if the Lapwing flocks are to be belie
17 December 2014
Short-eared Owl Again
Bright and clear early on with some passing showers later, feeling cold. Short-eared Owl again mid afternoon from the Ron Barker Hide. Hopefully the bird will hang around this winter. At least 6 Common Buzzard on the reserve, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine,
15 December 2014
Short-eared Owl
Mostly raining today but the Mere did look nice after a frosty start yesterday. We are running out of time to add new species to the year list but a late afternoon Short-eared Owl is new for the year bringing the year list onto 146, which is approximatel
14 December 2014
Little Owl new for the year.
Some weather today making viewing difficult but also bringing in the possibility of some new arrivals from the coast. Unexpectedly a Little Owl was seen this morning in the entrance of a nest box in the Doehyles cattle barn. If the visibility is reasonabl
10 December 2014
Hen Harrier
Late news from the weekend of a Hen Harrier that no one saw, literally! The bird was a satellite tagged bird (no information on age, sex or exact date yet) from Trough of Bowland which clearly eluded observers on site over the weekend, or did it? If anyon
8 December 2014