Latest sightings
Bewick's Swan family
Wigeon drakes Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory 16 Bewick's Swan present at dawn, a family has arrived, a pair named Ypres and Somme with three cygnets. Two Little Stint feeding on the top pond island. Tack Piece 300 Wigeon, 200 Golden Plover, 30 Curlew, 200 T
27 November 2017
Today's highlights
European (Russian) White-fronted Goose family arriving on the Bottom New Piece Kingfisher Hide Flocks of waders and wildfowl are favouring this field, the seasonal management has resulted in perfect conditions for the species that are gathering. Golden
26 November 2017
Clear Skies more Bewicks
Bewick's swans Rushy After a clear calm night 5 more Bewicks were on the Rushy this morning bringing the total to 9. Pintail Pochard and 200 Teal all looking great and the odd redshank and a single Little Stint are sp
25 November 2017
Sightings Friday 24th
With the weather still mild we are awaiting the return of more wintering birds, although Golden Plover and White Fronted Goose numbers are climbing steadily. The tack Piece is currently filling up with water and it is becoming popular with the grazers and
24 November 2017
Monday highlights
A family of Whooper Swans seemed to have roosted here as they left the site early morning, it's likely to be the same birds that were reported over at Walmore Common by A. Jayne yesterday, the sites are known to exchange birds regularly. Another two swan
20 November 2017
Sunday sightings
Rushy Hide The four Bewick's Swans remained for the morning and returned for the afternoon period, they fly out to the Tack Piece for the middle part of the day. A Little Stint was again on the top pond island. Tack Piece A new family of E. White-fronted
19 November 2017
Look everywhere
Not a very helpful title I know, but this morning really was a case of check everywhere as you visit. Best of the bunch was the Zeiss Hide with several thousand birds on offer. The rest of the South Finger (the walkway to the Kingfisher Hide) was busy
18 November 2017
Mist and murk
Not a very pleasant morning weather wise, although the sun is trying to poke through so it may yet improve. A single Whooper Swan dropped in to the Rushy just after 7am to join the four Bewick's Swans, but all are still keeping to the lower pond and avo
15 November 2017
Whooper flock
Whooper Swans We were rather surprised to see a flock of 11 Whooper Swan on the reserve this morning, they were initially seen on the Top New Piece where they may have roosted overnight. A flock of 11 were seen in South Wales yesterday, they may be the sa
14 November 2017
A few more Bewick's Swans
A cold night night meant that many shallow water areas froze, it was a quiet hide round but picked up later with the thaw. Rushy Hide Three more Bewick's Swans appeared, regulars Risa and Riso (pictured together) and another rather nervous yearling . Tr
13 November 2017
North wind
Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory The yearling (2016 hatched) Bewick's Swan spent the day on the lake, the strong, cold N wind encouraged some species to stay for the day, Shelduck were noticeable by their numbers as it must've been uncomfortable on the Severn
12 November 2017
Cattle Egret
Two cattle Egret again to the north of the road just as you pass over the canal. South Lake All the Godwits were in here first thing but a very nervous South Lake this morning and most of the waders left after several big flushes leaving just 6 Redshank,
11 November 2017
More Whitefronts
Zeiss Hide Wader and duck numbers are still increasing as the weather cools off. Keep an eye out for flocks of Wigeon grazing on the pasture outside the hide. Dunlin - 280 with the opportunity to pick out the semi-palmated sandpiper amongst the flocks. Ru
10 November 2017
Head for the Zeiss Hide
Another cracking morning weather wise, and plenty of birds around for a great day out too. Our single Bewick's Swan was still on the Rushy this morning, but could do with a few companions to help it deal with the upset Mute Swan pair who don't like to s
9 November 2017
First Bewick's Swan
Its been a gorgeous sunny day, a marked contrast to yesterday's rain. But unfortunately it is the rain we need, ideally in small doses on and off to top up the winter flood levels across the reserve to provide the ideal winter refuge for thousands of du
8 November 2017