Bittern booming, spring arrivals.
Another good day with light winds and a little warmth into the afternoon. Bittern booming out from the Harrier Hide again. The wardens have placed a couple of camera traps out on the Reed Bed in the hope of catching one of the Bittern moving around, and indeed they did!
The first Common Sandpiper of the year dropped onto the Mere late morning. At least 40 Avocet, 150+ Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Oystercatcher, 40+ Ruff, 8+ Redshank, Little Ringed Plover and 20+ Lapwing.
The public footpath route past the Sewage Works, along Long Hedge out to the stubble fields produced singing Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting. A pair of Grey Partridge were in the stubble fields and singing Skylark all around.
Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap all in song around the reserve and yesterday possible Reed/Sedge Warbler heard briefly on the Reed Bed. Cetti's Warbler heard from the Ron Barker Hide again and a singing Goldcrest near the Kingfisher Hide.
Raptors included 6+ Buzzard, 2 Kesterl, 2 Sparrowhawk and on Friday a Peregrine. Two Barn Owl again early on.
Other sightings included 4 Med Gull, 25 Sand Martin and 5 Swallow, 3 Little Egret and female Brambling by the Kingfisher Hide.
If you are visiting Martin Mere for the first time and would like to know what is around and the best areas to see specific species do call in at the in focus shop, next to the Discovery Hide which over looks the Mere. It should be possible to see over 60 species in a day without too much difficulty.
