Please come to see us on the ‘evening of Thursday 15th August’, drop-in to the car-park, between 5-8pm to chat on the reserve, record your thoughts for the future management of the reserve, look at the concept drawings for the ‘Welcome Centre’ and see the location for the centre. You may know there’s been a lot going on, at the nature reserve since 2015, when Lancashire Wildlife Trust first started to manage the habitats with The Environment Agency. You may have seen the BBC Northwest article on the ‘owls ‘on Lunt Meadows in February or heard of a visiting ‘stilted sandpiper’ in May that brought visitors from London and the North East of England. Some of you may know we are developing a ‘project bid’ to National Lottery Heritage Fund to enable further ‘built infrastructure’ making our reserve visitors more comfortable, asked for in a recent community consultation. We will be able make the most of the education potential of the site and enable more habitat management. We also need to protect the sensitivity of the site, and we would love to hear what you think………if you cant make it can you answer our survey monkey questionnaire @ https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/luntmeadows Find the latest sightings on our volunteer run Facebook page search for @LuntmeadowsNR If you’d like to keep up to date with the Wildlife Trust in the Merseyside area please ‘like’ our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/MerseysideLWT/ From All the Staff & Volunteers, Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve, Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Tonight's planned "have your say" has been cancelled due to the risk of Thunderstorms, and will be rescheduled sometime in August

Photos from Lunt Meadows & wetlands Nature Reserve's post

With the breeding season coming to an end, with mixed results on the reserve, the Avocets looked promising with 6 pairs and up to 16 young, but sadly only one young has made it out of all them, predators or the poor weather to blame, but they'll be back next year and we'll have the islands ready for them, Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers were successful in at least one pair of LRP and two pair of Ringed Plovers rearing 3 and 6 young, two pairs of Oystercatcher, several Shelduck also done well, the returning waders are starting to come through with up to 5 Common Sandpiper during the week several Ruff, 64 Black-tailed Godwits and today two Wood Sandpipers which showed well from the first screen on main pool, also several Snipe seen feeding on the edge of the Soft Rush, and small numbers of Teal are starting to arrive, a 1sts Mediterranean Gull was on pump pool with a metal ring on right leg, a Hobby was seen over the reserve this morning and two Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher was seen on the Kingfisher pond/Homer green pond and at least two Grasshopper Warbler were calling on the reserve. Have Your Say....!!! Staff @ Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve, and their project partners welcome you to come and chat about the future management of the reserve, habitats and infrastructure, on Thursday 25th July, 5-8pm. Tea, coffee & cake will be available! We look forward to meeting you!

Photos from Lunt Meadows & wetlands Nature Reserve's post

A big thank you to everyone who donated last weekend whilst visiting to see the Stilt Sandpiper, we raised £424 which will be used for further habitat management on the reserve, the bad news is our new hide was damaged by vandals trying to get into it, this has been quickly repaired by the voluntary team and is open when a volunteer is on site, the first Avocet chicks have started hatching with 3 birds from one nest, one chick has since died, and another chick from a second nest hatched today, also a pair of Little Ringed Plovers have 3 tiny young on the Garganey scrape, still a couple of Drk Garganey about, a Drk Pochard was new in, 32 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Dunlin, a flock of 15 Ringed Plovers landed briefly in a rain shower, mostly of the Tundrae race which breed in Scandinavia and Russia, the regular Cetti's Warbler that usually sings in the main drain near the Kingfisher screen showed well for a brief spell, and another was between the car park and homer green pond, summer visitors like Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warblers are busy singing and bringing food back to nests, 100+ Swifts were flying overhead and sometimes coming down low over the pools, Dragonflies are appearing now with Four-Spotted Chaser, Broad-bodied Chaser and Black-tailed Skimmers, Large Red and Azure Damselflies and a Banded Demoiselle was seen today.

Photos from Lunt Meadows & wetlands Nature Reserve's post

May continues to be an excellent time on the reserve, and with favourable winds and scattered showers, birds have been dropping in on a daily basis, another two Black Terns passed through on the 11th following the first record of this species with 5 on the 9th, 4 Barnacle Geese of unknown origin were on the main pool on 12th and late afternoon Temminck's Stint was found on the Great White pool, a 1sts Little Gull was amongst Black-headed Gulls on 14th, Black-tailed Godwits continue to pass through with 120+ on 16th and a pair of Garganey on the back pool, with another male on main pool, exiting news broke in the afternoon of the 17th, when a Stilt Sandpiper was identified feeding amongst Black-tailed Godwits, a North American wader which is only the second record for Lancashire since a bird on Hundred End on the Ribble marshes in 1967, and is thought to be the 38th record for Britain, a true rarity, which brought people from far and wide to come and see it, as I write this it is still present (Sunday 19th) and showing well, a Wood Sandpiper was also new in on 17th no doubt brought in with the rain like the Stilt Sand, also on site now 4 Garganey 3 drk and a female, 2 Ruff including a fine looking male in black finery, up to 3 Marsh Harrier occasionally fly through on hunting forays, several Little Ringed Plovers, 10 Avocet, 2 Ringed Plover and a Hobby was seen towards dusk on 18th chasing the many Swifts over the reserve. The Tuesday work party were hard at it again, planting wildflower plugs and scattering wildflower meadow mix seeds which were bought through the bags of help community grant scheme from Tesco, this is a mix for attracting Butterflies and Bees and should look excellent once established, another job was to fix the stile on the bank of the Alt near to Shorrock's bridge, as motorbikes had been able to ride along from the bridge and up past the pump towards the logs with nothing stopping them.

Photos from Lunt Meadows & wetlands Nature Reserve's post

May's weather continues to be variable with a lot of showery days, but it's working with the South-easterlies in bringing birds in, large numbers of Swallows, House and Sand Martins and increasing flocks of Swifts have been feeding over the reserve, migrant waders dropping in with small groups of Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, Ringed Plovers, 9 Avocets, a couple of Common Sandpipers a Greenshank, and a Ruff, this week two new birds for Lunt Nature Reserve have been found, both by Rob Williams, firstly a Drk Green-winged Teal was seen on the pool at the back of the Great White Pool and then a flock of 5 Black Terns flew in briefly before heading off South, later seen at Seaforth Nature Reserve, a pair of Garganey continue to be seen on and off, 2 female Marsh Harrier occasionally hunt over the reserve, an Osprey was seen today fishing on the river Alt near to the pump station just as the rain arrived, before being chased off by crows.

Photos from Lunt Meadows & wetlands Nature Reserve's post

A great few days over the Easter weekend with Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats singing over most of the reserve all ready, a couple of Reed Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler reeling behind screen one near the forestry commission plantation, 2 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin joined the 6 Little Ringed Plover on Sunday but had gone by Monday, 32 Black-tailed Godwits and a Green Sandpiper has been seen a couple of times, 2 ads Little Gulls were still present on Sunday flying around the Garganey flash and wet grasslands area, a 1sts Mediterranean Gull was amongst the gulls roosting on the islands, 4 pairs of Great Crested Grebe are scattered around the reserve, about 50 Gadwall, small numbers of Teal and Tufted Duck and a few pairs of Little Grebes, still small numbers of Swallows, Sand and House Martins moving through but no Swift sightings yet, 4 Fieldfare flew over this morning, a Raven spooked all the Jackdaws as it flew over, Brimstone Butterflies and the best showing of Orange-tips ever with lots of males being seen all around the woodland hedge from the car park to Hunt;s Brook wood and look out for the Mining Bees feeding on the Dandelions along the paths.

Photos from Lunt Meadows & wetlands Nature Reserve's post

The two adult summer Black-necked Grebes are still present, ranging from the main pool and down to the back of the Garganey flash, and no doubt avoiding the resident Great Crested Grebes which have not taken kindly to the new comers on their patch, 4 Avocets are back on the Great White pool, with 60+ Black-tailed Godwits on the wet grasslands area, a single Dunlin and a newly arrived Common Sandpiper were on the newly created small islands, lots of Snipe feeding on the edge of the pool and hidden amongst the Soft Rush, several pairs of Shelduck have also been using the new islands to roost on while Black-headed Gulls look interested in nesting on at least one of them, a Wheatear was on the edge of the pools of the wet grassland, while 15 Swallows, 30+ Sand Martins and 5 House Martins flew high up over the pools, the large flock of Golden Plovers were seen swirling over the North end, with at least 800+ noted, several Blackcap have joined the Chiffchaffs in singing in the surrounding woods, and at least two Cetti's Warblers were singing, still lots of Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall about with over 30+ of the latter, several Common Buzzards were up over the woods and occasionally over the pools, and the welcome warm sunshine brought out a couple of Brimstone Butterflies as well as the usual Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks.

Photos from Lunt Meadows & wetlands Nature Reserve's post

Lancashire Wildlife Trust would like to say a big thank you to all who have donated towards Lunt Meadows through the car park donations, donations on guided walks or by becoming a member of LWT. Over the past 3 years these donations, all that loose change on a Sunday morning has totalled nearly £3,000. We’ve used this for many things on the reserve – specifically helping towards the new hide (it really will open soon!), purchase of reed seedlings (x2000 more planted last year), wildflower seed for the meadow and towards gravel for general repairs and to encourage nesting birds on the new islands. Thank you to all who have contributed – and to Marion for her efforts collecting every Sunday. This money is massively useful in allowing us to continue with small improvements around the reserve and is very much appreciated. Currently collections are made most Sunday mornings in the car park, when hot drinks are also available. Any collectors will be clearly identifiable in LWT clothing and with an ID badge - note all donations are voluntary only. And if you do decide to become a member of LWT – mention Lunt Meadows when you sign up and 75% of your membership goes directly back to our work on the reserve. More work has been done to the screen to the new hide and is now finished, two big bags of pea shingle was added to the islands and they are now looking good for waders to nest on, well done to everyone who has worked on the new hide and screen and put in the many hours to get it were it is now. Spring migrants are coming in thick and fast now with Sand Martins, Swallows and Chiffchaffs, a Little Ringed Plover was eyeing up the new islands for a few days, an Osprey was seen flying over on 29th March, up to 4 Avocets on the Great White pool, a House Martin with Sand Martins on 3rd April and our second record of Black-necked Grebe with two stunning summer plumaged birds that were found on the Great White pool also on the 3rd-4th at least, an impressive flock of Golden Plovers are feeding in farm fields next to the reserve with in excess of 800+ birds, throwing some awesome shapes similar to a Starling murmuration, the small flock of Black-tailed Godwits are now coming into summer plumage, and Great Crested Grebes have been displaying with at least 5 birds around, Cetti's Warblers are calling from reedy ditches, Merlin and Marsh Harrier have been seen flying through and 2-3 Barn Owls have been noted.

Archaeologist Ron Cowell is running some further Field Walking sessions at Lunt Meadows this coming Tuesday 26th March! If you would like to take part and have the chance of uncovering 9,000 year old tools contact Jules on jsimons@lancswt.org.uk Photo Credit: Andrew Armstrong #Heritagefund #NationalLottery Museum of Liverpool Lunt Meadows & wetlands Nature Reserve Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Photos from Lunt Meadows & wetlands Nature Reserve's post

A quick catch up from February, which saw a lot of work continuing around the new hide with the screening to the sides being started, this is from willow weaving and thick branches being used to make another section of the screen, this will be finished off shortly, the newly created islands were covered in gravel for breeding waders, more gravel will be added this week, and hopefully some of the Avocets from last year will return to breed on them, a few pairs of Oystercatchers are already setting up territory and look favourite to nest on one of them, the mild sunny end to February brought out the first Bumble bees and a Brimstone Butterfly, but highlight must go to the reserves first and long awaited record of a Cattle Egret which flew over the reserve and possibly landed, but was not seen again, a pair of Ravens have been hanging around the area and have been seen flying over calling, at least 5 Great Crested Grebes are currently on the reserve with some catching some big sized fish, and with a struggle managing to swallow them, still one or two Short-eared Owls about and a couple of Barn Owl, and a adult Meditterranean Gull was on the wet grasslands in almost full summer plumage amongst the roosting gulls, Black-tailed Godwits are still feeding and roosting on the reserve with at least 50+, and several small flocks of Snipe were seen in flight and the occasional sighting of Kingfisher has been seen along the main drain near the pump building.

Photos from Lunt Meadows & wetlands Nature Reserve's post

The ever ready volunteers were busy as usual on Tuesday with a number of important jobs before Spring, the recently created islands on the wet grasslands area were raked over and made level before some of them were covered in gravel, this is to encourage nesting waders like Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, more will be added at the next volunteer day, but it was important to get some down as soon as possible due to the returning Avocets into the north west already, the experimental Kingfisher bank on Homer Green pond was uncovered and the sand has compacted nicely over the year it's been covered with planks, these were removed and now it's fingers crossed a Kingfisher creates a nest hole this Spring, an area of Bramble was cut down and removed which will allow the removal of the invasive Himalayan Balsam later in the season, The new hide is now finished but needs some screening with Willow which will be ready for next week, the Willow is being cut on another site and being brought in, Water levels are now being reduced in some of the pools ready for the Spring passage of waders, the water making it's way out through the reedbed and out the outfall back into the river Alt a lot cleaner than it was when it came in, which is what the reed bed does, it acts as a filter system and improves the quality of the water by the time it goes back into the river. Scottish Power has installed visible markers on the power lines that cross the river Alt near the pump station to help eliminate any more bird strikes, and Environmental Agency signs have gone up on the Northern edge of the reserve from Hunts Brook Wood to the logs area regarding the no shooting in or over the reserve on private land. The birding has been good on the reserve with building numbers of Black-tailed Godwits reaching 57, 9 Oystercatcher, Redshank and still good numbers of Common Snipe, with 2 Jack Snipe seen by the Archaeological viewing platform, 2 Barn Owls and at least 2 Short-eared Owls still about, and one of the local Little Owls have been seen at dusk, also 2 Marsh Harriers have been hunting over the reserve, crossing the reedbeds and flushing everything as they go, the 10+ Bearded Tits are still being heard and sometimes showing well if your lucky, most sightings are near the pump building in reedbed two, the two Bitterns are still around and one was heard trying its pre-booming call, which is like it's warming it's vocal chords up for the big moment, Water Rails are calling from various parts of the reedbeds with occasional glimpses, and 2-3 Cetti's Warblers calling from the reedy ditches, 4 Pochard, 2 female Goldeneye, Pintail small numbers of Gadwall and Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and 3 Shelduck, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 40= Fieldfare, 5 Stonechat, and small numbers of Reed Buntings also counted, 2 Nuthatch are calling from Hunts Brook Wood, and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Roughley's Wood, across the River Alt 1,500-2,000 Pink-footed Geese still feed in farm fields and show well from the bank of the Alt, and lastly Woodcocks and Pipestrelle Bats can be seen at dusk near the car park, please take note of the time the gate is locked, which is on the entrance gate and notice board and return to your car in time so the volunteer can lock up, thanks.

Little owl #Merseyside #natureshots #nature #wild #wildlife #lunt #longshot

The alt an the lake on the reserve in Lunt, no David bailey me like but boss colours tonight, grainy due to no light 🦇🐾

Silhouette of tonight, boss colours

Doing my good deed for the day 👍🏼

Boss evening tonight wish I had a camera than me phone

Faith doing some bird watching 😂🐦 #birdwatching #luntmeadows #naturereserve #staffie #staffordshirebullterrier #dogsofinstagram #dogwalks #birds

Little egret

Chillin like a villain

Never fail to find an owl pellet on this bridge, walked everywhere today an seen nothin tho, one of them days

Robin #wild #nature #merseyside #sefton #lunt #birds #robin #natureshot #outdoors

Little owl #littleowl #wildlife #birds #nature #merseyside #sefton #lunt

Hey!! Happy Friday everyone

Some people like to look at rabbits an others hang dead ones up 🤔💀💀

Chilling in a hide as you do

Fungi or mushrooms 🤔