News
Bird News update
A quick update of today's highlights in list form - more expansive notes will follow over the weekend - time is against me!Bean Goose still present on the Mere, also 2 Mediterranean Gulls (both adults), Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, 60+ Ruff, 5+ Black-tailed
24 January 2020
Tundra Bean Goose still
A brief update. The Tundra Bean Goose has been spending all of the day around the Mere, sleeping and feeding, mostly associating with some injured Pink-footed Geese. Bird of the day had to be a cracking adult male Hen Harrier (picture by David Thompson) w
18 January 2020
Bird News
Despite rather unpleasant weather, lots of birds around today. The Tundra Bean Goose was on the Mere again all day after going missing yesterday. Also on the Mere a male Goldeneye was joined briefly this afternoon by a single Goosander. 2 Peregrines, Mars
17 January 2020
Weekend Sightings
A good swan count locally between Formby and the Ribble with 1692 Whooper swans (373 cygnets = 22%) also 4 Bewick’s swans (1 cygnet). Twite (3) seen again on the islands on Vinson's Marsh in front of the Ron Barker Hide in the afternoon. Peregrine have
12 January 2020
Twite
It's been a good start to 2020, in particular the arrival of a handful of Twite onto the reserve. Previous to this, there only appears to have been one single observer record from the mid 00's. The birds are being seen feeding with Linnet on the islands i
7 January 2020
Weekend Sightings
Plenty of action around the reserve. It should be possible to see over 60 species fairly easily in a days birding around the reserve. Over 80 species have been recorded since the 1st Jan. Good for raptors with 8 Marsh Harrier seen together early on Saturd
5 January 2020
End of the Decade.
Just a brief update to thank all of the regulars who call in at the in focus shop to report sightings. This sighting page would be far less interesting without your help. It goes without saying that the same should be said for Louise and Jack and the rest
31 December 2019
Weekend Sightings
Six species of raptor this weekend. A ring-tail Hen Harrier was seen on the reserve earlier afternoon. At least 3 Marsh Harrier but more roaming the area. Also present 1st calendar year Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel and 4+ Buzzard (pic below), the l
29 December 2019
A Happy Christmas to you all.
Happy Christmas to you all out there. Thought we would feature a couple of images from the intensely cold winter of 2010. Great to look at but very difficult condition for the wintering birds at the time! Plenty to see if you are visiting over the winter
24 December 2019
Latest Sightings
An excellent day on the reserve. Cool, light winds, sunshine and great visibility. Six species of raptor; Merlin, Peregrine, 3+ Marsh Harrier, 4+ Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Barn Owl and roosting Tawny Owl also regular. Most of the wintering wildf
21 December 2019
Merlin
At least 3 Merlin were again on view late afternoon with one of the birds on view almost all day, also 4 Marsh harrier, Adult Peregrine, Common Buzzard, Kestrel and 1-2 Sparrowhawk. A few sightings of Kingfisher over the Mere also the Willow Tit, and Nuth
17 December 2019
Hen Harrier again
The male Hen Harrier was seen again this morning also at least 2 Marsh Harrier and the usual Peregrine, Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk sightings and yesterday a fem/imm Merlin was seen.A Brambling was reported near the Flamingo house this afternoon, als
16 December 2019
Sightings
Similar counts and species as in the recent updates. If you are visiting the reserve and would like to know what's been seen on the day and the best spots for particular species, call in at the in focus shop next to the Discovery Hide and to report anythi
10 December 2019
1322 Whooper Swan
Some excellent weather recently and some mega sunsets too. The biggest count of Whooper Swan for the winter so far with 1322 birds roosting on the reserve. Reasonable numbers of Pink-footed Geese with c.7600 also logged.It's looking like another good wint
4 December 2019
Latest Sightings
A cold and frosty few days, excellent conditions for seeing Martin Mere at its best. Over 800 Whooper Swan and 7000+ Pink-footed Geese roosting on the reserve with some good numbers coming in during the day to feed on potatoes on Top Mere.Good for raptors
2 December 2019