News
Discover wetlands this Summer from mini-beast hunting, den building to pond dipping and storytelling
A summer full of activities lies ahead at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre. Everyday throughout the summer we have something on offer from pond dipping to storytelling, mini-beast hunting to den building, talks, walks plus show and tell activities. For the
16 July 2013
Cattle conservation video
Learn all about why we use long horn cattle to manage our reserve in thsi video made by Tom Clare, Assistant Reserve Manager. Thanks Tom [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YwveG4X5DM&feature=youtu.be']
16 July 2013
Wildlife sightings for 16th July 2013
3 Pochard broods - main lake, reservoir lagoon 1 Peregrine - perched on hospital 1 Kingfisher - flew along South route towards sheltered lagoon Recent bird highlights: Black-necked Grebe, Little Egret, Peregrine, Red Kite, Hobby, Buzzard, Shelduck, Dunlin
16 July 2013
Today's sightings
The South Lake SPOONBILL 1 adult summer Black-tailed Godwit 77 Redshank 88 Common Crane 1 (GCP) Common Tern 2 Kingfisher 1 The Tack Piece Green Sandpiper 4 The Top New Piece Green Sandpiper 1 Dunlin 25 Lapwing 45 Little Egret 1 Reed Warbler 20 Reed Buntin
16 July 2013
Today's sightings
The lesser yellowlegs and is still present and continues to switch locations between the NRA scrapes (viewed from the British Steel hide), the saline lagoon (viewed from the Michael Powell hide) and main lagoon (viewed from the Observatory). Other sightin
16 July 2013
Latest Sightings
The first Emerald Damselfly (Common Spreadwing) seen today. Four Common Tern feeding over Woodend Marsh early morning. Today's waders included 2 Green Sandpiper, 6 Ruff, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Avocet and 60+ Lapwing. Raptors included 2+ Common Buzzard,
15 July 2013
Out on the reserve today
Main observatory Green sandpiper Common sandpiper Common tern Friends hide Snipe with chicks Oystercatcher with chicks Lady Fen Oystercatcher with chicks Lapwing - 3 young
15 July 2013
WWT Martin Mere earns 2013 Trip Advisor certificate of excellence
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre has been honored as a top performing visitor attraction by users of the world’s largest and best-known travel site. Our 650 nature reserve and Wetland Centre has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence, placing
15 July 2013
Wildlife sightings for 15th July 2013
1 Red Kite - flying high to the N of site 0925hrs 3 Pochard broods - main lake, resr lagoon 4 Gadwall broods - main lake, resr lagoon 1 Common Sandpiper - resr lagoon island edge 1 Peregrine juv - circling over main lake chased off by the Common Tern fl
15 July 2013
Whimbrel
A single Whimbrel seen from the Raines Hide was new in. Generally waders turning up at this time of year will be failed breeders making a leisurely journey south or local post breeding birds ie Lapwing. At least 2 Green Sandpiper seen from the Swan Link a
14 July 2013
Wildlife sightings for 14th July 2013
8 Teal - scrape and main lake 1 Pochard brood - main lake (4) 2 Gadwall broods - main lake (6) and reservoir lagoon (3) 1 Common Snipe - scrape 2 Little Ringed Plover juveniles - scrape 1 Common Sandpiper - scrape 1 Peregrine - perched on hospital Recent
14 July 2013
Out on the reserve today
Lady Fen Barn owl - 1 House martins and the first broods taking flight around the visitor centre Main Observatory Green sandpiper - 1 Sand martin - 10 Black-tailed godwitAvocet and young Yellow wagtail
14 July 2013
Todays sightings
Zeiss Hide and South Finger Great bird watching from here today. There were 36 Dunlin all in full summer plumage, The Black Tailed Godwit flock was at 52 and there were 33 Redshank and an adult Avocet and 4 fully fledged young (not from here) and a Green
14 July 2013
Today's wildlife highlights
The lesser yellowlegs and is still present and occasionally switches location from the NRA scrapes (viewed from the British Steel hide), to the saline lagoon (viewed from the Michael Powell hide). Other highlights include spoonbill, 13 greenshank, 110 bla
14 July 2013
Waders
Another very pleasant on the reserve, especially with cooler breeze coming through the hide windows again. If you've never been before, the Reed Bed Walk is good for dragon and damselflies as well as a few butterflies on the wing. It's still the waders ma
13 July 2013