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There were great views of the great white egret in front of the visitor centre (Sandgrounders hide) over the weekend. Today the lapwings, golden plover and black-tailed godwits were showing well in good numbers instead. Don't forget if you need to update your binoculors or just want to try...

The big ‘spring’ tides of the autumn blow in again soon (seasons can get confusing can't they!) and the birds are even more mobile than usual. On the September spring tides our Marshside guided walk participants enjoyed some great close-up views of knots and dunlins out on the estuary...

Here are a few photos taken yesterday of this very obliging juvenile sparrowhawk . The photos were taken from the Visitor Centre (Sandgrounders hide) where it spent most of the morning, either feeding on a previous kill or resting to let it's food go down with a good preen as well.

As promised here are a couple of photos taken by local birder Neill Hunt who spotted the bird first. Thanks Neill.

It was certainly a first for me! Blue winged teal at Junction pool screen today at midday doing exactly what it says in the book; associating with shovelers . Consensus from the birding crowd was that it was an adult female. According to BTO the last record of these American birds turning up in the area...

I just paused on the coast road to look across the vastness of the estuary in the hope of either the short-eared owl seen last week or one of the marsh harriers (a male is around as well as a few juveniles). Quite sensibly, raptors were not bothering to fly in what was turning into quite a gale. What...

Two Avocets arrived back at the reserve today. They were first seen in front of Sandgrounders hide on Suttons Marsh this morning but have since moved over to Rimmers Marsh and can be seen from Nels hide or the half way screen.

Today was very wet and windy on the reserve with the odd hail shower added for good measure, but the wildlife (birds especially) definitely made up for it. Views from Sandgrounder's out across the marsh were difficult first thing but eight European white fronted geese were spotted in amongst the...

As I was about to leave Marshside today I thought I'll just check the saltmarsh from the end of the sand works. I'm glad i did! First was a Peregrine perched up, then a buzzard also perched up, then a Marsh Harrier flying/hunting over the marsh and then a Kestrel also hunting. But the best...

Wow today I have seen my first osprey over the reserve. It disturbed a group of about twenty curlews and plenty of lapwings, as it came across the reserve heading inland towards Churchtown and beyond. Did anyone see it over at Martin Mere? Pink feet numbers have dramatically increased from the eight...

This morning I have seen 8 Pink-footed geese on Suttons Marsh. These are the first I have seen this Autumn on the reserve, although a small flock were seen flying over the reserve back in August by the previous reserve warden, these are the first that have landed! The RSPB are asking everyone to help...

Yesterdays winds brought a Juvenile Black Tern to the reserve. It was seen at midday on Suttons marsh heading south across the reserve. Good but short views of it in front of the hide and over Rainford's lagoon before it headed onto Rimmers Marsh. The same bird was later seen, again in front of the...

Admitedly only a vanguard of 8 but the heart quickens, ears tune. The same volunteer also reported 2 Lesser Black-backs, 20+ Black-tailed Godwits, a mixed flock of 70 Ringed Plover & Dunlin on Polly's Pool and 1 redshank) and a Little Stint on Rainford's Lagoon. 30+ Goldfinch on teasel, 220...

Do 20+ Curlews, 80+ Lapwing, one Pink footed Goose, one Golden Plover and two Snipe mean it is autumn already? There were also good views of a Merlin hunting out on the marsh this afternoon. Common and Green Sandpiper were seen as well.

This year two Avocet chicks successfully fledged on the reserve. We still have Avocets with chicks at our Hesketh Out Marsh just up the road if you missed seeing these iconic birds at Marshside. Telescopes are recommended though as the views are unfortunately not as close as you get here. Three Common...

One Avocet chick has been pleasing visitors with the closest views you are likey to to get. It has been feeding so close to the hide that it often went out of view under the windows. This picture was taken on thursday but the family were still there today. Today joining the Avocet family out...

Today visitors are been treated to an unusual sight on the reserve. A Spoonbill can be clearly seen from Sandgrounders feeding at the edge of Rainfords lagoon. There are also good views of Avocets and chicks, Redshank, Lapwing and lots of Black headed gull chicks.

There are great views of the surviving Avocet chick in front of Sandgrounders hide (you don't even need binoculars it is that close). Best views in the country?!! Unfortunately earlier in the week we lost the other two chicks but this well one is doing well so fingers crossed!!! There are another...

There are three new Avocet chicks in front of Sandgrounders hide this morning, the chicks which hatched out yesterday are been closely guarded by their parents as they learn how to feed in the shallow water. There are also many other chicks to keep a close eye out for. Tiny Redshank chicks have been...

As well as the fantastic views of the Avocet chicks at Sandgrounders hide. There were also two Little ringed plover on the islands this morning. A spotted redshank has been showing well at Junction pool, over 30 Dunlin and numerous Redshank and Lapwing all enjoying the afternoon sun at Nel's Hide...

This morning the 3 Avocet chicks hatched on the island in front of Sandgrounders' Hide took to the choppy water one after another in brilliant sunshine,the parents doing a good job of seeing off other water fowl that ventured near. Photographers must have some excellent shots-hope some end up here...

This afternoon the first Avocet chick has hatched. Photographers and other visitors in the hide were lucky to see the first glimpses of the very cute newly hatched chick. The adult birds are still sitting on the nest with the chick and remaining three eggs which should be hatching soon. The chick could...

Although it makes for a miserable day out, the rain was much appreciated and the marsh looks all the better for it. And the birds didn't seem to mind too much either. Avocet chicks have not hatched yet but any day now and the first nest should be hatching. Two Lapwing chicks however were showing...

A total of six Avocet pairs are currently sitting on eggs. Two male Garganey have been showing well at Junction pool. Swallow numbers have increased, yesterday they did well to battle against the strong winds across the reserve.

Two Avocet pairs that have nested in front of Sandgrounder's hide are now sitting on eggs. As of yesterday one pair had three eggs and the other pair had two. A pair of Oystercatchers are also looking like they are going to nest in fron of the hide. Yesterday they were mating and the female keeps...