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Today was the last day of the high tide series here on the Solway and we seem to have escaped any serious flooding. The weather people had been forecasting high winds, rain and lots of floods coupled with the high Spring tides. All in all, we had the perfect storm in the making - but it just didn't...

Hi, I’ll begin this week’s blog with an update on our reedbed specialists. Two Bittern were noted during the week, alongside a single Marsh Harrier. Water Rails continued to be showy with the Main Drive and Phil Stead Hide being the best spots once again. Long-Eared Owls showed well...

Maryland farm on the very edge of the saltmarsh, overlooking the Pool - after a night of snow. The hamlet of Cardurnock - a small farming community that makes its living from grazing sheep and cattle on the wide estuary pastures. These are the little black and white Barnacle Geese that return...

Well, it’s been a mixed weekend on the reserve – a mild Saturday followed by heavy rain overnight, sunshine, a biting wind and rising floodwater. The unexpected emergence of a peacock butterfly seemed to echo my confusion as to how many layers I should have on. The lakes were alive with...

Gardens. We have a tendency to take them for granted, don't we? Over the years, my garden at home has played host to a variety of species. I’ve been able to spot foxes, field mice, squirrels, rabbits, cats, an escaped dog and its exasperated owner, hedgehogs and a particularly aggressive...

Snow on the Scottish Hills viewed from Campfield Marsh - 22 1 13 The depth of winter this year at Campfield has been decidedly undramatic, whilst the rest of the country, if TV is to be believed, has suffered under continents of snow and ice, blocked roads, closed schools and more sledging than you...

Another beautiful weekend on the reserve! If you've been stuck indoors have a look at the lovely snowy photos on the website - thanks to everyone who's posted. Image: Steve Dobromylski Thanks too for contributing your wildlife sightings to the the community forum and Birdtrack . It's...

Happy Monday! Here at Saltholme we like a Monday, and this Monday is a particularly special one. Why? Well really, we're hurt you haven't remembered: it’s our birthday! No, don’t apologise. It’s okay! We weren’t expecting a gift anyway. Four years enjoying our beautiful...

When I visit the Portmore Lough Reserve, there is always a familiar face that greets me in the car park. A robin. (Not Robin Brown the volunteer co-ordinator, but one of the feathered variety). This little chap has a very cheeky personality! If he gets you in his sight he leaves his perch, lands...

Estimated about 200 geese in the flock

Severed barn owl beak and feathers (Tyto alba). Dorset, UK. At least that's our best guess. Found near a fenceline in open fields on the Middlebere peninsula across from Arne. A peregrine kill maybe? Would a buzzard take an owl? Possibly the predator tore the beak off as a safety precaution...

25 11 12 - Flock fly in low over the saltmarsh as they round Scargavel Point.

25th November - high tides, coupled with gale force winds, brought what seemed like the whole of the Barnacle flock from their inner estuary pastures to the outer estuary pastures of the Cardurnock Peninsula. Here they can be seen off Scargavel Point on Campfield Marsh.

A small group of Barnacles flew onto the saltmarsh from a SW direction at 13.00 pm. They grazed for a while along the edge of the marsh and then flew off west again.

Barn owl with freshly caught rat in its mouth. RSPB Arne, Dorset, UK. 27/06/11. The site of the nestbox is off-limits but the birds can be observed in flight from public areas of the reserve nearby.

Barn owl. RSPB Arne, Dorset, UK. The parents use this box to escape the attentions of the voracious chicks nearby.

Barn owl returning with a rodent for the 3 growing chicks. RSPB Arne, Dorset, UK. 27/06/11.

These two became restless due the the activity of nearby Merlin and Hen Harrier and took off for a fly around. They were part of the mixed flock of Pinkfeet and Barnacles grazing on the wetland pastures at North Plain Farm.