News
Breeding Birds
We surveyed the Avocets yesterday and counted 20 nests across the site. The nest boxes are doing well, we have 6 Blue Tit broods (totalling 47 chicks),1 Great Tit brood (6 chicks) and the Tree Sparrows are doing well with 15 chicks already fledged,
22 May 2019
Tuesday Update
Two pair of Common Tern on the Mere. Small numbers of Gadwall there this morning, also a pair of Wigeon. At least 20 Avocet and 2 Little Ringed Plover also on the Mere. Good views of Pied Wagtail coming into feed in front of the Discovery Hide. Out on Wo
21 May 2019
Today's sightings and some from the weekend.
Drake Garganey on Woodend Marsh this morning. Also there Greenshank, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing with chicks, Shoveler and a couple of Teal. Two pair of Common Tern on the Mere. Also a pair of Little Ringed Plov
20 May 2019
Latest Sightings
A fairly quiet few days, but hopefully the somewhat less settled weather on it's way will drop in a few different birds over the next day or two. The first of the Black-headed Gull chicks have now started hatching on the Mere - the Discovery hide is ideal
17 May 2019
Temminck's Stint
Spot the Greenshank in the featured image.. Another lovely day with sunshine and light winds. Temminck's Stint on the Mere late morning. Pretty much annual here at Martin Mere, probably the most reliable site in the North West for this tiny wader. Still p
14 May 2019
Latest Sightings
Very pleasant again in light winds. Perfect conditions for breeding birds on the reserve. Four Greenshank on Woodend Marsh early afternoon. Around 30 Black-tailed Godwit also new in there. Dunlin numbers on Woodend Marsh have dropped back to 17 this mo
13 May 2019
Sunday's Sightings
A frosty start quickly warming up in the sun and light winds. Another good Dunlin count with 36 birds out on Woodend Marsh this morning. A few Lapwing chicks can be seen around the edge of the marsh there. Also 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover,
12 May 2019
Black Terns again
Two Black Tern flew in early afternoon. Thirty Dunlin, an excellent count on Woodend Marsh this morning. The recent easterlies and rain have brought a good selection of waders down onto inland site across the North West. Also 12 Avocet, 2 Redshank, 2 Oyst
11 May 2019
Little Stint
A Little Stint was present on Woodend Marsh today, viewable from the United Utilities hide with a flock of about 20 Dunlin. Also from United Utilies, a Whinchat was reported this morning.Elsewhere on the reserve, a Cetti's Warbler showed well near the Kin
10 May 2019
Black Terns
A group of 3 Black Terns were feeding over the Mere from mid morning onwards, still present mid afternoon, but no sign from 4pm. This coincides with a small influx locally after a few days of easterly winds.A good count of 28 Dunlin on Woodend Marsh today
9 May 2019
Tuesday Sightings
Lighter winds, sun shining a pleasant day to be out and about. Late news from yesterday a dog Otter swam past the Ron Barker Hide late afternoon.Wood Sandpiper flew onto Woodend Marsh around 2pm then appeared to fly off south. Great count of 16 Dunlin a
7 May 2019
Garganey again
Drake Garganey again on Woodend Marsh, two drakes on Sunley's Marsh this afternoon. Also there 10 Avocet, 6 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit. Two Common Tern on the Mere, Also there 3 Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 6 Oyst
6 May 2019
Sunday's Sightings
Two drake Garganey on Woodend Marsh then one flew towards Vinson's/Sunley's. White Wagtail on Woodend also Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing. A Merlin this morning is one of our latest records. A pos
5 May 2019
Latest Sightings
Up to 3 Wood Sandpiper being seen on Woodend Marsh. Also there Greenshank (new in), 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 8 Avocet and 20+ Black-tailed Godwit (the first large-ish group for a week). Drake Garganey on Woodend Marsh. Common S
4 May 2019
Three Wood Sandpipers
The 3 Wood Sandpipers present yesterday remained on Woodend Marsh today, along with 2 male Garganey (another probably different bird was on Vinson's Marsh this morning).A pair of Bullfinches was next to the path near the United Utilities hide.2 pairs of M
3 May 2019