A wild guide to winter

Winter is one of our most popular seasons as migrating species visit us and fill our mere with activity. Winter waders, ducks, geese and swans all come together and can be seen up close at our Daily Wild Bird Feeds from the Discovery Hide and Raines Observatory.

The Mere

Take a seat in one of our largest hides, the Discovery Hide, and observe the lives of fascinating migratory birds such as the Whooper Swan. This is just one of the birds that travel over 500 miles to join us over the colder months. We are also joined by species such as shelduck, wigeon, and pintail.

You can also keep an eye on the sky for a bird of prey flying over and disturbing a flock of lapwing that fly into the air swirling and darting to confuse the predator.

Daily Wild Bird Feeds

Every day at 3pm, see thousands of birds up close to the Discovery Hide with no binoculars needed. This commentated feed will tell you all about the different species and their journeys here. One of our favourites is the pochard, these are diving ducks.

The pochard comes to us from Russia to escape the cold and enjoy the lovely food we provide at WWT Martin Mere. However, you won’t see many female pochard at the swan feeds, that is because the female pochard go to Spain for the winter, which sounds like a much better idea!

Prefer a quieter session? Join us in the Raines Observatory at 3:30pm for just the feed with no talk.

Take a look

Reedbed walk

The reedbed walk is a feast for your senses through sight and sound. Spend the time simply stopping and listening and enjoy being immersed in nature.

The reedbed walk is accessed from the lower level of the Harrier hide. It is one mile in length and can be muddy underfoot so good walking boots are advised. There are several benches out on the walk for a rest and the opportunity to spend some peaceful time in your surroundings.

Several marsh harriers, peregrines, kestrels and barn owls have been seen across the reserve with at least one little egret seen daily and an infrequent great white egret. You may also see gadwall, mallard, tufted duck, pochard, little grebe, reed bunting and blackcap as you walk around.

The species in the reedbed can be elusive and are often heard and not seen, so you need to take your time and simply listen whilst out there. There are at least 9 Cetti's warblers so it's worth listening out for their signature call. You may also hear water rails, bearded tits and chiffchaffs. Time to brush up on your bird call identification!

Janet Kear Hide

Head to the Janet Kear hide to see Eastern European passerines. Janet Kear is the perfect place to take a seat and watch as small birds dash in and out of the feeders. There is always plenty of activities and you can see species such as Brambling, Blue tit, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, and Robin.

Ron Barker Hide

Take a visit to Ron Barker hide and see plenty more activity from birds of prey such as sparrowhawks and buzzards, or catch dashes of electric blue from a kingfisher perching and diving in front of the hide.

Normal admission charges apply to enter the centre. For more information visit www.wwt.org.uk/martinmere

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