• Recent Sightings & Highlights 22/03/25 – 19/04/25

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 22/03/25 – 19/04/25

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Marsh Harrier

    Sparrow Hawk

    Red Kite (flew over)

    Peregrine

    Barn Owl

    Buzzard

    Kestrel

    Osprey (flew over)

    Water Fowl

    Garganey (have left site)

    Teal

    Wigeon

    Shoveler

    Shelduck

    Barnacle Geese

    Canada Geese

    Greylag

    Mallard

    Pochard

    Goldeneye

    Tufted Duck

    Gadwall

    Pintail

    Pink-footed Goose

    Coot (with chicks)

    Moorhen

    Little…

  • Blacktoft now fully open and paths dry

    A quick update after our flooding on the Spring tides we are now happy to say that all the water has receded and the paths are dry enough for shoes, how quickly it changes here on the floodplain! 

    Plenty of birds to see too with Marsh harrier displaying, Bitterns booming at at times chasing each other around, Avocets getting all excited about the breeding season and a few summer migrants arriving with now records of Sedge…

  • Reserve Closed due to Tidal Flooding 02.04.25

    Reserve Closed due to Tidal Flooding 02.04.25

    *Reserve Closed. Due to tidal flooding all main trails are currently underwater. We are assessing pathways daily and will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Please check back here or our social media channels (links below) for the latest updates.

                                             

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  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 01/02/2025 – 02/03/2025

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 01/02/2025 – 02/03/2025

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Hen Harrier (Ringtail)

    Marsh Harrier

    Red Kite

    Buzzard

    Sparrow Hawk

    Kestrel

    Barn Owl

    Water Fowl

    White-fronted Goose

    Pink-footed Goose

    Scaup (02.03.25)

    Whooper Swan

    Goldeneye

    Pintail

    Pochard

    Shelduck

    Shoveler

    Tufted Duck

    Mute Swan

    Wigeon

    Teal

    Gadwall

    Mallard

    Greylag Goose

    Canada Goose

    Coot

    Moorhen

    Little …

  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 10.01.2025 – 30.01.2025

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 10.01.2025 – 30.01.2025

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Marsh Harrier

    Peregrine

    Kestrel

    Sparrowhawk

    Barn Owl

    Merlin

    Water Fowl

    Pintail

    Pochard

    Wigeon

    Teal

    Shoveler

    Shelduck

    Mallard

    Gadwall

    Tufted Duck

    Pink-footed Goose

    Barnacle Goose

    Greylag Goose

    Canada Goose

    Whooper Swan

    Mute Swan

    Moorhen

    Coot

    Little Grebe

    Waders

    Curlew

    Dunlin

    Lapwing

    Water Rail

    Snipe

    Pass…

  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 21.12.24 – 09.01.25

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 21.12.24 – 09.01.25

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Peregrine Falcon

    Marsh Harrier

    Buzzard

    Barn Owl

    Merlin

    Sparrowhawk

    Kestrel

    Water Fowl

    Wigeon

    Teal

    Tufted Duck

    Pintail

    Shoveler

    Mallard

    Gadwall

    Shelduck

    Whooper Swan

    Mute Swan

    Greylag

    Pink-footed Goose

    Moorhen

    Little Grebe

    Waders

    Curlew

    Snipe

    Dunlin

    Golden Plover (over estuary)

    Water Rail

    Lapwing

    Passerines

  • Merry Christmas & Festive Opening Hours

    Wishing all our friends, and supporters old and new a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We've had an amazing 2024 and look forward to sharing an equally amazing 2025 with you all. From the Volunteer and Staff Team here at Blacktoft Sands.

    Check our opening hours below

    (Pic A.Hunt)

  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 07.11.24 – 04.12.24

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 07.11.24 – 04.12.24

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Marsh Harrier

    Sparrowhawk

    Kestrel

    Peregrine

    Buzzard

    Barn Owl

    Water Fowl

    Whooper Swan

    Mute Swan

    Goldeneye

    Pink-footed Goose

    Wigeon

    Teal

    Shoveler

    Gadwall

    Mallard

    Canada Goose

    Tufted Duck

    Little Grebe

    Moorhen

    Waders

    Curlew

    Redshank

    Spotted Redshank

    Dunlin

    Golden Plover (over estuary)

    Water Rail

    Snipe

    Jack Snip…

  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 17.10.24 – 07.11.24

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 17.10.24 – 07.11.24

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Marsh Harrier

    Buzzard

    Merlin

    Peregrine Falcon

    Barn Owl

    Kestrel

    Sparrowhawk

    Water Fowl

    Slavonian Grebe

    Whooper Swan

    Goldeneye

    Tufted Duck

    Shoveler

    Gadwall

    Teal

    Wigeon

    Mallard

    Shelduck

    Canada Goose

    Pink-footed Goose

    Greylag

    Little Grebe

    Moorhen

    Mute Swan

    Waders

    Snipe

    Curlew

    Dunlin

    Lapwing

    Black-tailed Godwit

  • *Re-Open" 26/10/24

    We're pleased to announce the water levels have now dropped enough for us to re-open the reserve.

    Please note parts of the trail to Reedling/Marshland hide may have some persistently deep puddles requiring wellingtons/waterproof walking.

    An alternative dry route is in operation to access Ousefleet Hide and all other trails are now dry.

  • 18.10.24 Closed Due To Tidal Flooding

    Closed Until Further Notice.


    A huge tide has flooded the reserve. This will mean we will be closed as from today for several days. 

    We will update further here and via our other social channels below when we will re-open.
    Please do not telephone - our office is not always manned.

    https://www.facebook.com/RSPBBlacktoftSands

    https://x.com/Blacktoft_Sands

  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 28/09/24 – 16/10/24

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 28/09/24 – 16/10/24

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Merlin

    Marsh Harrier

    Hobby

    Barn Owl

    Buzzard

    Kestrel

    Sparrow Hawk

    Peregrine Falcon

    Hen Harrier (ringtail)

    Waterfowl

    Pink-footed Goose (up to 23000 on Humber)

    Pintail

    Whooper Swan

    Teal

    Wigeon

    Gadwall

    Greylag

    Mallard

    Shoveler

    Shelduck

    Pochard

    Canada Goose

    Mute Swan

    Little Grebe

    Moorhen

    Waders

    Golden Plover (over…

  • Reserve Open but shallow flooded

    Just a quick update that although the reserve is open the paths are shallow flooded and Wellington boots are essential. 

    Also please note that with the lagoons now deeply flooded the variety of birds will be until we adjust the water levels reduced a bit, so if you do visit don't expect too much in terms of waders. This may be up until a week and a half as hundreds of thousands of gallons of water take quite a lot of time…

  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 07/08/24 - 04/09/24

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 07/08/24 - 04/09/24

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Hobby

    Marsh Harrier

    Sparrow Hawk

    Kestrel

    Peregrine Falcon

    Barn Owl

    Buzzard

    Waders

    Curlew Sandpiper (2 x juveniles)

    Greenshank

    Spotted Redshank

    Redshank

    Green Sandpiper

    Black-tailed Godwit

    Avocet

    Snipe

    Ringed Plover

    Ruff

    Curlew

    Lapwing

    Water Rail (adult & juveniles)

    Oyster Catcher

    Common Sandpiper

    Dunlin

    Grey …

  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 06.08.24

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 06.08.24

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Marsh Harrier

    Hobby

    Peregrine Falcon

    Barn Owl

    Buzzard

    Kestrel

    Sparrowhawk

    Red Kite

    Waders

    Ruff

    Spotted Redshank

    Redshank

    Black-tailed Godwit

    Green Sandpiper

    Greenshank

    Snipe

    Lapwing

    Bar-tailed Godwit (flying through 06.08.24)

    Curlew

    Common Sandpiper

    Avocet

    Water Rail (with juveniles)

    Passerines

    Bearded Tit

    Corn Bunting (flying…

  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 21.06.24 – 03.07.24

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 21.06.24 – 03.07.24 

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Marsh Harrier

    Barn Owl

    Hobby

    Peregrine Falcon

    Buzzard

    Sparrowhawk

    Waders

    Spotted Redshank

    Wood Sandpiper (23.06.24)

    Black-tailed Godwit

    Common Redshank

    Green Sandpiper

    Lapwing

    Avocet

    Water Rail + Juvenile

    Curlew

    Passerine

    Cuckoo (heard 25.06.24)

    Tree Sparrow

    Bearded Tit

    Common Whitethroat

    Reed Bunting

    Chiff…

  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 05.06.24 – 20.06.24

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 05.06.24 – 20.06.24 

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Peregrine Falcon

    Marsh Harrier

    Hobby

    Red Kite

    Kestrel

    Sparrowhawk

    Buzzard

    Barn Owl

    Waders

    Spotted Redshank

    Green Sandpiper

    Lapwing

    Avocet

    Water Rail + 4 Chicks

    Oyster Catcher

    Redshank

    Ringed Plover

    Curlew (flying through)

    Passerines

    Cuckoo (heard)

    Corn Bunting (flying north)

    Whitethroat

    Tree Sparrow (lots of…

  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 21.05.24 to 04.06.24

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 21.05.24 to 04.06.24 

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Marsh Harrier (food passing)

    Buzzard

    Barn Owl

    Kestrel

    Hobby

    Sparrow Hawk

    Red Kite

    Waders

    Avocet

    Lapwing

    Redshank

    Oystercatcher

    Curlew

    Ringed Plover (26.05.24)

    Water Rail

    Passerines

    Cuckoo

    Tree Sparrow

    Bearded Tit

    Pied Wagtail (with juveniles)

    Blackcap

    Sedge Warbler

    Reed Warbler

    Reed Bunting

    Yellow Wagtail

    Dunnoc…

  • Recent Sightings & Highlights 01.05.24 to 20.05.24

    Recent Sightings & Highlights 01.05.24 to 20.05.24 

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Marsh Harrier

    Hobby

    Barn Owl

    Sparrowhawk

    Kestrel

    Buzzard

    Red Kite (over reserve heading towards arable)

    Waders

    Avocet

    Black-tailed Godwit

    Lapwing

    Spotted Redshank

    Oyster Catcher

    Redshank

    Dunlin

    Common Sandpiper

    Greenshank

    Whimbrel

    Water Rail

    Passerines

    Kingfisher

    Common Crane (occasional flights over towards Trent…

  • 17.04 to 28.04.24 Recent Sightings & Highlights

    17.04 to 28.04.24 Recent Sightings & Highlights

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    Raptors

    Marsh Harrier (food passing)

    Buzzard

    Kestrel

    Sparrow Hawk

    Barn Owl

    Peregrine Falcon

    Waders

    Avocet

    Red Shank

    Snipe

    Oyster Catcher

    Dunlin

    Black-tailed Godwit

    Curlew

    Lapwing

    Passerines

    Grasshopper Warbler (heard distantly)

    Bearded Tit

    Reed Warbler

    Sedge Warbler

    Yellow Wagtail

    White Wagtail

    Pied Wagtail

    White Throat

    Lesser…

  • 17.04.24 Reserve Open

    Great news! After some of the worst flooding since 2013 the reserve is open again. Wellington boots are essential for access to Reedling and Marshland hides but access is dry to Ousefleet, First Hide, Townend Hide and Singleton Hides. A massive thanks to the warden team for the hard work repairing pathways to make sure everyone can get around the reserve safely!

  • Tuesday 09.04.2024 Flood Closure

    A massive tide tonight with water going into reception, and with possibly two more higher tides this week we are definitely going to be closed until next week and then possibly a lot of repairs to do.

  • 20.03.24 Recent Sightings Highlights

    20.03.24 Recent Sightings Highlights

    (scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

    We are open again after recent tidal flooding but please be aware that wellington boots are essential to access Reedling and Marshland hides.

    Raptors

    Marsh Harrier

    Buzzard

    Sparrowhawk

    Kestrel

    Red Kite

    Barn Owl

    Waders

    Avocet

    Black-tailed Godwit

    Bar-tailed Godwit

    Curlew

    Lapwing

    Snipe

    Dunlin

    Oyster Catcher

    Golden Plover (over river Trent)

    Water…

  • Re-Open After Recent Tidal Floods 19.03.24

    Flood Update:- We're please to announce that we will re-open tomorrow Tuesday 19th March after recent tidal floods. Please be aware that wellington boots will be required to access Reedling and Marshland hides. All other hides can be accessed with normal sturdy footwear. An alternative route will be available to ousefleet hide. Please adhere to onsite signage.

  • 12.03.24 Closed Due To Tidal Flooding

    Sorry the reserve is currently closed due to tidal flooding.

    We will re-open as soon as we are able.

    Please check our social media channels for the latest information.

    https://www.facebook.com/RSPBBlacktoftSands

    https://twitter.com/Blacktoft_Sands