Latest sightings
Lapwing numbers building
Rushy Pintail 27, Lapwing 23, Teal 109, Redshank 1 Martin Smith Crane 2, Snipe 1, Water Rail 1, No sing of Jack Snipe yet Holden Tower Peregrine 2, Buzzard 1 South Lake Black Tailed Godwit 21, Redshank 9 Ruff 1, Grey Heron 1, Lapwing 80, Snipe 2, Teal 367
26 October 2018
Getting colder
A distinct chill in the air this morning but the fog soon cleared at dawn. A few summer species still remain, including the Garganey on the Top New Piece and a Blackcap and Chiffchaff near the Decoy, although these latter two may be wintering birds repl
25 October 2018
Rolling fog
The thick fog over the river rolled back and forth across the reserve first thing this morning making counting a bit more tricky. High tide has pushed a nice selection of waders on to the Top New Piece. Zeiss Hide The roosting wader flock included 156 G
24 October 2018
Vanishing Knot
A beautifully sunny morning with a slight arrival of birds, not least a considerable rise in the number of Black-tailed Godwit to 328 on the reserve. A flock of 145 arrived around 8am to join the 171 already on the South Lake this morning, and bought wi
22 October 2018
Autumn sunshine
A fine autumn day saw lots of sunshine and warm temperatures, Common Darter and Migrant Hawker dragonflies were seen as well as Small Copper Butterflies. South Lake A trio of Red Knot joined the 27 Redshank, 56 Black-tailed Godwit on the wader scrape, a s
21 October 2018
Early Fog later sunshine?
Heavy fog first thing hope it lifts later Rushy Black Tailed Godwit 3 Redshank 1 Little Grebe Mallard 150 Pintail 2 Teal 110 Martin Smith Snipe 3 Jack Snipe 1 Water Rail 2 Cettis Warbler 1 South Lake Pochard 6 Passing over Redpoll 1 Redwing 1
20 October 2018
Thursday's sightings
South Lake Hides Greenshank, 27 Redshank, 21 Ruff, 2 Crane, 158 Lapwing, 254 Teal, Wigeon, 6 Pintail, 91 Shoveler, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Pochard, 16 Shelduck, 9 Snipe. . Zeiss Hide Digger work continuing today but still 5 Dunlin, Redshank, 9 Ruff on
18 October 2018
Wednesday's sightings
A great Autumn morning with calm, dry weather and a bit of sun poking through the haze. The digger work will continue on the Top New Piece from the Zeiss Hide, although birds are still around once they get used to the machinery. South Lake Hides Birds o
17 October 2018
A few more finches
Holden Tower A pair of Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, tit flock and 4 Magpies in the bushes, three Chaffinch flew out. On the Dumbles a Peregrine and 2 Buzzard were seen with a small flock of both Barnacle and Greylag Geese. Knott Hide Water Rail and Chiffchaff.
16 October 2018
Spoonbill
Zeiss Hide/Top New Piece A Spoonbill was roosting on the islands in the morning but moved off elsewhere. The Little Stint was again on the islands with c100 Dunlin coming in over the tide. Three Cranes, 40 Golden Plover and small numbers of Ruff were seen
15 October 2018
Rising water levels after a wet weekend for the WeBS count.
South Lake The south end of the wader scrape is busy with feeding birds especially Mallard and Teal. Bart and Ruby and their two offspring were also joining in. Other counts (as it was a WeBS day) 5 Pochard, 39 Tufted Duck, drake Mandarin, 2 Cormorant (7
14 October 2018
Jack Snipe showing well
Martin Smith Hide Jack Snipe showing well to left of pools. Also 2 Snipe and a Water Rail. Robbie Garnett Teal, Shoveler and Pintail very close taking shelter from the wind. A few lapwing and 2 Redshank. Holden Tower Big flocks of Greylag and Barnacle Gee
13 October 2018
Friday's sightings
A bit and very windy this morning, all combining with a reasonably high tide of 9.6m so our Guides in the Hide will be out checking for the high tide wader roost from the Zeiss Hide and Holden Tower, and anything more unusual that gets blown up the river.
12 October 2018
Thursday's sightings
A Jack Snipe was asleep on the island from the Martin Smith Hide this morning, occasionally waking to feed and bounce. Another big high tide pushed a nice selection of waders on to the Top New Piece. Jack Snipe (c) S Pet
11 October 2018
Wednesday's sightings
A blip in the weather today with temperatures forecast to head over the 20oC mark giving the reserve a more summer like feel. A Clouded Yellow butterfly flew across the Four Score field near the Kingfisher Hide and several Red Admiral are also still on
10 October 2018