News

Wader migration

Wader migration

Pectoral Sandpiper at Slimbridge This week, a rare American visitor dropped into WWT Martin Mere in the form of a pectoral sandpiper. The bird dropped into the mere on Monday amid all the rainy weather and attracted a

23 August 2018

Reserve Update Thursday 23rd August

Reserve Update Thursday 23rd August

Good range of species down on the Flood Ground this morning with Shoveler joining the mix.  Over 180 Teal were observed there yesterday but numbers have dropped right down again first thing this morning.  Rather bedraggled Kestrel perched on the fence l

23 August 2018

Wildlife sightings for 23rd August 2018

Wildlife sightings for 23rd August 2018

2 Garganey - scrape, then one bird flew to the NW corner of main lake a.m. 1 Black-tailed Godwit - scrape 2 Green Sandpiper - scrape 1 Common Sandpiper - main lake 3 Snipe - scrape 11 Swift - reservoir lagoon 6 House Martin 1 Buzzard - drifted SE p.m. 1 H

23 August 2018

NW Bird Festival

NW Bird Festival

Whooper Swans on a very calm mere at Martin Mere See over 70 species of wild bird as well as special guest speakers TV presenters George McGavin and Miranda Krestovnikoff, wildlife photographer Alan Hewitt, the Orchid

23 August 2018

Little Gull

Little Gull

Sadly no sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper today despite a few observers on site looking for it. The best bird of the day was a sub adult Little Gull on the Mere briefly in the morning before being flushed by a Peregrine and wasn't seen afterwards. At least

22 August 2018

The Argentine red shoveler.

The Argentine red shoveler.

In support of Wildfowl Wednesday this week we will be taking a closer look at the beautiful and fascinating Argentine red shoveler. An adult male red shoveler showing off his stunning blue features. The red shoveler

22 August 2018

Today's sightings

Today's sightings

Mute swan Whooper swan + cygnets Barnacle goose Greylag Shoveler Mallard Garganey Teal Cormorant Coot Moorhen Crane Grey heron Little egret Ruff Avocet Common sandpiper Starling House martin Sand martin Swallow Yellow wagtail Tree sparrow House sparrow Go

22 August 2018

Wildlife sightings - 22/08/2018

Wildlife sightings - 22/08/2018

Wader Lake (AM, mid-tide): Lapwing 283 Black-tailed godwit 1 Common tern 6 Dunlin 1 Avocet 1 Redshank 12 Common snipe 13 Lesser black-backed gulls 3 (1 adult and 2 juveniles)   Saline lagoon: Common snipe 1 Greenshank 1 Green sandpiper 1 Curlew 1 &nb

22 August 2018

Wildlife sightings for 22nd August 2018

Wildlife sightings for 22nd August 2018

1 Garganey - wader scrape 1 Green Sandpiper - wader scrape 3 Common Sandpiper - main lake, reservoir lagoon 5 Snipe - wader scrape, main lake 1 Kingfisher - reservoir lagoon 1 Sedge Warbler - reservoir lagoon 1 Peregrine - perched on the hospital   J

22 August 2018

Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper

The highlight of the day was the discovery of an adult or 2nd cal year Pectoral Sandpiper early afternoon on Sunley's viewable from Ron Barker Hide. This North American wader is an almost annual visitor to the reserve but this is the first record this ye

21 August 2018

Tuesday sightings

Tuesday sightings

South Lake Three juvenile Little-ringed Plover, a juvenile Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 10+ Ruff, 2-3 Common Sandpipers, 180 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Snipe, 1 Barnacle Goose, 2 Egyptian Geese. Holden Tower Three juvenile Whitethroat, 33 Curlew feeding on the Dumbl

21 August 2018

Today's sightings

Today's sightings

Mute swan Whooper swan + cygnets Barnacle goose Greylag Mallard Cormorant Coot Moorhen Grey heron Avocet Starling House martin Swallow Yellow wagtail Tree sparrow House sparrow Goldfinch Wood pigeon Marsh harrier

21 August 2018

Wildlife sightings - 21/08/2018

Wildlife sightings - 21/08/2018

Tide level a.m.: mid Wader Lake Lapwing 275 Avocet 2 adults 3 juveniles Little egret 1 Common snipe 4 Redshank 20 Common sandpiper 1 Dunlin 1 Saline Lagoon Green sandpiper 2 Common snipe 2 Curlew 1 Grey heron 2 Teal 3 Hawthorn Wood Great spotted woodpecke

21 August 2018

Wildlife sightings for 21st August 2018

Wildlife sightings for 21st August 2018

1 Hobby - hunting over grazing marsh 1 Garganey - wader scrape 1 Green Sandpiper - wader scrape 3 Common Sandpiper - wader scrape 4 Snipe - wader scrape, main lake 2 Common Tern - main lake 1 Yellow Wagtail - flew over heading SE Pochard brood of 3 - res

21 August 2018

Mint moths, hawkers and a hobby

Mint moths, hawkers and a hobby

Migrant hawker on the Dragonfly Pond by Andy Burns We checked all 61 dormice nesting boxes during last week’s Small Mammal Survey – no dormice nesting but we found three nests of pygmy shrew. There were plenty of

20 August 2018